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.

sit between the two of

a sigh of relief. Thank goodness for small miracles.

him. The moment we do, I feel the tension ease up

made a difference? Changed it

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

fact that I can never be good enough for anyone. I wasn’t as beautiful as she

is bigger than mine. Her happiness is a priority over mine. She always comes first in everyone’s

voice pulls me out of my

then I realize that the service was over and everyone

deep voice

talk to him let alone look at him but I’ll have to

stand up, without looking at him. I know it seems rude but I just can’t look at him. Not when

on Noah, let’s

bombarded by a crowd of people wanting to give us their condolences.

hadn’t buried father yet and I was

show your face” Emma’s bitter voice says

Her face was blotchy and her eyes were red

want to face her right

now Emma. Can we just bury father

so that I’m the only one that

family from me all those years ago but no more. I plan to take everything back, including the man that was meant

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

to take anything back because none of them were mine to begin with. The family she’s talking about worships the ground she walks one. And Rowan? Rowan

me, I lead Noah to the place

them and me you would think that I was

dust…” the preacher says as they lower father’s

the loudest as she begs for father to come back to her. Emma and Travis both have silent

hate seeing him in pain. I wipe my tears away. I need to be strong for him. He needs

It was like I was there but wasn’t at the same time. By the time I come out of

pa and ma” he drags