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 of you?”

Thank goodness for small miracles. I wouldn’t have to be near his suffocating

him. The moment we do, I feel the tension

a difference? Changed it and touched the lives of those that

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 death

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

me

service was over and everyone

okay?” his deep voice always makes

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

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

Noah, let’s

of people wanting to give us their

buried father yet and I

to show your face” Emma’s

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

didn’t want to face her

now Emma. Can we just

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

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

me and the departing back of my sister but doesn’t say anything.

were mine to begin with. The family she’s talking about

me, I lead Noah to the place that would be

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

as they lower father’s

soil until he is completely buried. Mother’s wails are the loudest as she begs for father to

hate seeing him in pain. I wipe my tears

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 people

and ma” he drags me pointing to Rowan’s