Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

5. Shoot out

Nothing about the day spelled disaster. The sun was shining and everything seemed to be well in place as I drove down the familiar streets.

The chapel was fully packed when we arrived. Almost everyone had come to pay their last respects.

I surveyed the place and was satisfied to see everything was in place. None of the others had been much help when it came to the burial preparation. I was the one that was left to shoulder the weight of everything.

I didn’t complain though. I took it as a chance for me to reciprocate what he’d done for me. After all, he had fed me, clothed me and put a room over my head.

The service was about to begin and most people were already seated. I decided to sit on the opposite side. It didn’t feel right sitting with the rest. It especially didn’t feel right sitting next to Emma.

“Mom, why are we sitting here…shouldn’t we sit next to grandma?” Noah asks, pointing at where the others were.

Of course we were getting weird looks but I didn’t care. After all, it wasn’t a secret that I wasn’t wholly accepted by the family after everything that happened.

“Most people are already seated. I don’t want us to cause a fracas” I lie.

He looks like he doesn’t believe me but choses to let it go. The father arrives and the sermon begins just as I feel someone sit next to me.

I tense. I would know his presence and cologne anywhere. I don’t know what he was doing seated here. He should be with his precious Emma. In fact I would prefer if he were there.

Damn I sound bitter. Which I was. Bitter, angry and hurt.

“Dad” Noah whisper yells, which causes a few people to turn and look at us.

I glower at them making them turn back around.

the two of you?”

for small miracles. I wouldn’t have to be near

able to switch seats with him. The moment we do, I feel the tension ease up a

all must leave this world one day, the question is how will you leave it? Will you have made a difference? Changed it and touched the lives of those that you met along the

kidding? They wouldn’t. They would probably hold a celebratory feast. The only one who will be

can never be good enough for anyone. I wasn’t as beautiful as she was. S**y as she was. Smart as she was.

or suffering. It’s all about Emma. Her pain is bigger than mine.

pulls me out of my

realize that the service was over and

okay?” his deep voice always makes me

talk to him let alone look at him but I’ll have to because for the

shoulders I stand up, without looking at him. I know it seems rude but I just can’t look at him.

Noah,

up and we walk towards the door. Once we’re outside we’re bombarded by a crowd of people wanting to give us their condolences. I spot some of my

father yet and

to show your face” Emma’s bitter

to face her. Her face was blotchy and her eyes were red and puffy, but she still looked

so didn’t want

Emma. Can we just bury

leans in so that I’m the only one that can

me all those years ago but no more. I plan to take everything back, including the man that was meant to be mine” she

sister but doesn’t

were mine to begin with. The

that wanted to drown me, I lead Noah to the place that would

them and me you would think that I was a stranger just attending the burial

preacher says as they lower father’s

to cover his coffin with soil until he is completely buried. Mother’s wails are the loudest as she begs for father to come back to her. Emma and Travis both have silent tears

I hate seeing him in pain. I wipe my tears away. I need to be

mindlessly. It was like I was there but wasn’t at the same time. By the time I come out of it, most people were already

and ma” he drags me pointing to