Mamma Mia

Chapter 1

Sequel to "Truths and Roses". Three months have passed and Walt and Vic's relationship has continued to grow. Life in Absaroka County has been fairly peaceful. Deputy Chester Rollins (a.k.a. Tank) is still around. After Mrs. Miller told all of Durant that Tank was the best marriage therapist she ever had residents dubbed him "Dr. Tank." Absaroka County's Prosecuting Attorney, Jack Holter, may have secured a deal with lawyers representing Jacob Nighthorse thus eliminating the need for a trial. And, Branch remains out of the picture and out of the state, working on restoring his sanity. The story begins at the station where Lucian and Walt have digressed from their chess game.

"I understand you finally took that centerfold deputy of yours to bed. I assume you'll be making an honest woman of her soon."

"None of your business. And, none of your business."

"Don't feel awkward about asking me to be your best man. I know you think I'm as an unfeeling son of a bitch.

"You are."

"I'm so glad you agree."

I can't help myself really. Lucian is just one of those people who love to rile people up, and get all bent out of shape when someone teases back. I've found this type is also rather easy to rile up. Vic reminds me of Lucian in that way. Don't think I'd say that to her, though. Among other things, I learned when to back off on teasing from working with Lucian all those years.

"And despite my disdain for these antiquated conformist rituals, for you I'd make an exception. I'd be your best man."

"I wouldn't ask you to act against your conscience."

"Like I said Walt, I'm willing to make the exception. But just once. Don't come back later saying you want to honor me by naming a brat after me or worse be its Godfather!"

"Lucian, I can assure you that will not happen."

"You laugh now, but you know you'd want to."

"And what makes you think I'd choose you over Henry."

"Ladies Underwear? He'd show up wearing a buckskin loin cloth and a full headdress."

"Sure for a big formal wedding, but for a small, intimate ceremony, he'd just have the buckskin."

"You haven't even asked her, have you?"

He eyes me with an 'I raised you to be better than this' kind of look.

"It's only been a few months. Well, four next Saturday."

"What are you waiting for boy? You ain't getting any better looking."

"Some things are better when allowed to take their time."

"That's wine and cheese and even they become vinegar and mold if you take too long."

"Vic hasn't complained."

"Huh?"

"That it's too long." I give the old man a crooked grin. Vic would be so proud.

"You're an odd duck, Walt. You were an odd kid and now…"

"What? Now I'm an odd adult? Eccentric? Stubborn? Old fashioned? Meddling? Presumptuous…"

"A walking thesaurus. Does Vic climax listening to you pontificate?"

"Another skill I learned from you."

"Oh I get it. You weren't describing you. You were describing me. That was pretty clever, Walt. Those of us at The Home for Discarded Assholes ain't as swift as you middle aged kids."

Ruby interrupts our lively discussion. She nods her head to draw our our attention to a rather attractive, impeccably dressed, seemingly irritated woman standing at the far end of the room.

"Are you two done sparring?"

From his expression, I'd day Lucian was just as unaware as me that anyone had been watching our verbal chess game. I wonder what it says about the competency of this department when neither the current or previous Sheriff noticed that a stranger had entered the perimeter.

Like lightening it strikes me. This is Vic's mother. The beautiful cheek bones, the beautiful eyes, smile, beautiful but darker hair, just as attractive yet slightly older version of Vic. "Mrs. Moretti, this is..."

"Sheriff Connally at your service mam."

Lucian struts over to Vic's mother like a lion to a lioness in heat. So like a wet blanket I step forward.

"Hello Mrs. Moretti. I'm Sheriff Walt Longmire and this charming gentleman is the Former Sheriff Connally."

"Just had to show off, huh hot shot?"

If Mrs. Moretti heard Lucian's gravely whisper of contempt, she's not showing it.

"Sheriff. Former Sheriff. Please call me Lena. Now would you be so kind as to tell me where I might find my daughter?"

For some reason I find myself temporarily mesmerized with Lena Morettti's golden eyes. I hear Ruby as if she is far away when I know she stands just to the right of Lucian.

"Let's go former Sheriff. We don't want to hold Walt up from helping Lena. Besides, it's time for your afternoon pill."

"Let go of my arm, Ruby. I don't take kindly to a woman putting her hands on me and telling me what to do!"

"Nonsense. That's exactly what you like and exactly what you won't be doing with Lena Moretti."

At Ruby's retort, Lena surprises me with a ladylike giggle. I guess Vic didn't inherit her snort from her mother.

Extending my hand as an invitation I escort Lena to my office.

"I trust your travels to our modest town were without complication. Vic didn't tell us you would be visiting."

"Please don't think me rude, Sheriff."

"Walt."

"Walt. I would prefer we skip the small talk and just get to the point."

"Finding Vic?"

"Yes."

"Vic isn't here right now. But, you knew that. I could have Ruby call Vic's phone or if you like I can drive you to Vic's place right now."

"She's not there. That was the first place I looked."

Her tone and posture suggest she's less than impressed with my conversation. Not the way I wanted this to go. This being that I am meeting Vic's mother for the first time which I would have thought or hoped would be with Vic by my side, and Vic actually knowing I was about to meet her mother.

"I'm sorry. I just assumed you didn't know where Vic lived. I mean because this is your first time in Durant."

"As it happened the pilot that flew me here from the airport is a friend of my daughter's and generously took time out of his busy schedule to drive me to Vic's home. When she wasn't there, he brought me here. He offered to do more, but I told him he needn't bother."

"Omar?"

"Yes. He said you and he are good friends, as well. I suspect in a town of this size everyone's good friends."

"Something like that."

If Vic doesn't explode when she finds out her mother showed up in Wyoming, she surely will when she hears Omar is passing himself off as a 'friend' of Vic's.

"Truthfully Walt, I don't expect you to do a thing. As for as finding her, that is. I know my daughter. She's a Moretti and a Moretti will always be at work as scheduled and often even when not scheduled. I can wait here. If you don't mind?"

"Not at all. Did Ruby offer you a cup of coffee? Or if your hungry there's the Bee, the Busy Bee, across the square or if you prefer Ruby can order some food and you can eat here while you wait."

"Thank you, but really I'm fine. What you could do is answer a few of my questions."

Smiling I respond, "That's my line."

Silence. I'm not a charming guy but I like to think I'm witty at times.

"Just making a joke. I usually ask the questions. You know. Sheriff. Anyway, you go ahead."

"Does my daughter plan on staying in Wyoming and if so who is she screwing?"

Her loaded question fires with such force and speed that I instinctually touch me cheek to see if there's blood.

"Um? That is probably something you should ask Vic."

Lena Moretti channels Vic's intense scowl.

"Or you already have and she didn't answer so you are asking me?"

"Are you asking me a question Sheriff?"

"Nope."

My mind goes blank. I'm sure that's convenient for him but not for me. Lena is waiting for my answer.

"Vic has been with this department for a number of years."

"And?"

"And, she hasn't given me reason to think she plans to leave, if that answers your question."

"And?"

"And, I don't believe she's mentioned, at least not to me, about selling the house or moving."

"Sherriff my daughter is Philly born and bred. She's a high strung, demanding, and complicated, foul-mouthed woman. I realize I've been here in your fine town all of an hour, but this doesn't appear to be a high strung, demanding, and complicated, foul-mouthed friendly kind of place."

Her statement is a mouthful, but it's the words not said that offend me a little.

"I'm not entirely sure what you are asking."

"If my daughter has decided to stay in this virtual hell called Wyoming .… her words not mine."

"Yes, I know. Vic's always been open with her thoughts on Wyoming's climate and cultural offerings."

"If she would rather be here then there's a man. Likely he's some young cowboy stud, with rock hard abs, Hugh Jackman good looks, and something equivalent to a Ph.D. in lovemaking. Or fucking as the Holy Terror would say. So, what's his name?"

Never in all my years have I wanted so badly to admit guilt. The only thought keeping my Hugh Jackman mouth shut is what would Vic do if I spill the proverbial beans to her mother?