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.

between the two of

for small miracles.

to switch seats with him. The moment we do, I feel

question is 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?” the preacher possess the

even care? Whom am I kidding? They wouldn’t. They would probably

have. I don’t have any friends mostly because I 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. S**y as she was. Smart

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 while I’m

pulls me

service

deep voice always

him but I’ll have to

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

on Noah,

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

buried father yet and I

to show your face”

and her eyes were red and puffy,

didn’t want

Can we just bury

that I’m the only one that

let me tell you that I am here to stay. You also took my family from me all those years ago but no more. I plan to take

my sister but doesn’t say

she 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. And Rowan? Rowan was and still is her

me, I lead Noah to the

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

as

begs for father to come back to her. Emma and Travis both have silent tears running down their faces as

Seeing him like this brings tears to my eyes. I hate seeing him in pain. I wipe

people flood us to offer their condolences. I accept them mindlessly. It was like I was there but wasn’t at the

there is pa and ma” he drags