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.

I sit between the two

a sigh of relief. Thank goodness for small miracles.

to switch seats with him. The

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

but think about it. If I were to die today, who will attend my burial? Will those around me even care? Whom am I kidding? They wouldn’t. They would probably hold a celebratory feast. The only one who will be affected by my

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

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 left

Noah’s voice pulls me out

realize that the service was over and everyone

deep voice always

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

at him. I know it seems rude but I just can’t look at him. Not when the memory

Noah,

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

yet and I was already

show your face” Emma’s bitter voice

eyes were red and puffy, but she

want to face

now Emma. Can we

so that I’m

that I am here to stay. You also took my family from me all those years ago but no more. I plan to take everything back, including the man that was

doesn’t say anything. I’m left shocked at her words but not really

that she doesn’t have to take anything back because none of them were mine to begin with. The family she’s talking about worships

drown me, I lead Noah to the place that would be father’s final resting

a little distance from mother, Emma and Travis. They’re huddled together. Looking at them and me you would think that I was a stranger just attending the

dust…” the preacher says as

begs for father to come back

beside me. Seeing him like this brings tears to my eyes. I hate seeing him in pain. I wipe my tears away. I need to be strong for him. He needs me

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

he drags me pointing