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 of you?”

goodness for small miracles.

him. The moment we do, I feel the

how will you leave it? Will you have made a difference? Changed it and touched the lives of those that you met along the way? Or will you leave it with regrets?”

can’t help 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 celebratory feast. The only one who will be affected by my

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 as she was. I

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

Noah’s voice pulls me

service was

you okay?” his deep voice always makes me

I’ll have to because

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

Noah, let’s

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

hadn’t buried father yet and I

to show your face” Emma’s bitter voice says behind

eyes were red and puffy, but she still looked

so didn’t want to face her

we

then leans in so that I’m the only

ago but no more. I plan to take everything back, including the man that was meant to be mine” she

looks between me and the departing back of my sister but doesn’t say anything. I’m left shocked at her words but not really

doesn’t understand is that she doesn’t have 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.

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

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

the preacher says as they lower father’s body to the

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

me. Seeing him like this brings tears to my eyes. I hate seeing him in pain. I wipe my tears away. I need to be strong for him. He needs

there but wasn’t at the same time. By the time I come out of it, most people were already

and ma” he drags me pointing to Rowan’s