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.

two of you?” Noah

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

able to switch seats with him. The moment we do, I feel the tension ease up

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

Whom am I kidding?

hold myself 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.

pain is bigger than mine. Her happiness is a priority over mine. She always comes first in everyone’s mind while I’m left chasing after leftovers of

pulls me

I realize that the service was

you okay?” his deep voice

but I’ll have to because for the

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

Noah, let’s

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

hadn’t buried father yet and I

decided to show your face” Emma’s bitter

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

smiles then leans in so that I’m the only one that

I plan to take everything back, including the man that was meant to be mine” she then

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

to begin with. The family she’s talking

that wanted to drown me, I lead

and me

to dust…” the preacher says as

begin to cover his coffin with soil until he is completely buried. Mother’s wails are the loudest as she begs for father to come back to her. Emma and Travis both have silent tears running down their faces as they

hate seeing him in pain. I wipe my tears away.

there but wasn’t

is pa and ma” he drags me pointing to Rowan’s