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

relief. Thank goodness for small miracles. I

seats with him. The moment we do, I feel

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

burial? Will those around me even care? Whom am I kidding? They wouldn’t.

back. Living under the perfect shadow that was Emma nailed in the fact that I can never be good enough for anyone. I wasn’t as beautiful as she was. S**y as she was. Smart as she was. Loved

her shadow. No one sees my pain or suffering. It’s all about Emma. Her pain is bigger

voice pulls me

service was

okay?” his deep voice always

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

but I just can’t look at him. Not when the memory of him staring lovingly at Emma is still

on Noah,

outside we’re bombarded by a crowd of people wanting to give us their condolences. I spot some of my colleagues and

buried father yet

finally decided to show your face” Emma’s bitter

eyes were red and puffy, but she still

so didn’t want to face her

Emma. Can we just bury

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

you 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 meant to be mine” she then steps aside and leaves just as the preacher calls us to go

back of my sister but doesn’t say anything. I’m left shocked at her words but

of them were mine to begin

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

a little distance from mother, Emma and Travis. They’re huddled together. Looking at them and me

dust…” the preacher says as they

as she begs for father to come back to her. Emma

Hugging him as he cries beside me. Seeing him like this brings tears to my eyes. I hate

again people flood us to offer their condolences. I accept them mindlessly. It was like I was there but wasn’t at the same

pa and ma” he drags me