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.

between the two

sigh of relief. Thank goodness for small

us, I’m able to switch seats with him. The moment we do, I feel the tension

day, the question is how will you leave it? Will you have made a difference? Changed it and touched the lives of

care? Whom am I kidding? They wouldn’t. They would probably hold a celebratory feast. The only one who will be affected by my

under the perfect shadow that was Emma nailed in the fact that I can never be good

now when we’re older, I’m still in her shadow. No one sees my pain or suffering. It’s all about Emma. Her pain is bigger than mine. Her happiness is a priority over mine. She always comes first in everyone’s mind while I’m

me out of my

then I realize that the service was over and everyone was

okay?” his deep voice always makes

to him let alone look at him but I’ll have to because for the next ten years we’ll be sharing Noah’s

up, without looking at him. I know it seems rude but I just can’t look at him. Not when the memory of him staring lovingly

on Noah, let’s

we’re outside we’re bombarded by a crowd of people wanting

hadn’t buried father yet and I was

finally decided to show your face” Emma’s

her. Her face was blotchy and her eyes were red and

sigh. I so didn’t want to face her

we just bury father

so that I’m the only

also took my family from me all those years ago but no more. I plan to take everything back, including the man that was meant to be mine” she then steps aside and leaves just as the preacher calls us to go to

between me and the departing back of my sister but doesn’t say anything. I’m left shocked at her words but not really

mine to begin

to drown me, I lead Noah to the

Travis. They’re huddled together. Looking at them and me you would think that I was a stranger just attending the burial

as they lower father’s body to

begs for father to come back to her. Emma and Travis both have silent tears running down their faces as they hold

this brings tears to my eyes. I hate seeing him in pain. I wipe my tears away. I

their condolences. I accept them mindlessly. It was like I was there but wasn’t at the same time. By the time I come out of it, most

ma” he drags me pointing to Rowan’s