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?” Noah whispers to

goodness for small miracles. I

switch seats with him. The

you leave it? Will you have made a difference? Changed it and touched the lives of those that you met along the

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

the fact that I can never be good enough for anyone.

Her pain is bigger

me out of

that the service was over and everyone

his deep

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

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

on Noah,

jumps up and we walk towards the door. Once we’re outside we’re bombarded by a crowd of people wanting to give us their

hadn’t buried father yet and

show your face” Emma’s bitter voice

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

didn’t want to

Can we just bury

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

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

sister but doesn’t say anything. I’m left

have to take anything back because none of them were mine to begin with. The family she’s talking

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

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

says as they lower

father to come back to her.

Noah. Hugging him as he cries beside me. Seeing him like this brings tears to my eyes. I hate seeing him in pain. I wipe my

like I was there but wasn’t at

there is pa and ma” he drags me pointing to