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

of relief. Thank goodness for 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

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

Whom am I kidding? They

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.

No one sees my pain or suffering. It’s all about Emma. Her pain is bigger than mine. Her happiness

Noah’s voice pulls me

then I realize that the service

deep voice always

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

him. I know it seems rude but I just can’t look at him. Not when the memory of him staring lovingly at Emma is still fresh in

on Noah,

we’re bombarded by a crowd of people wanting to give

hadn’t buried father yet and I

you’ve finally decided to show your face”

around to face her. Her face was blotchy and her eyes were red and puffy, but she still looked like a

so didn’t want to

now Emma. Can we just

smiles then leans in so that I’m

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 everything back, including the man that was meant to be mine” she then steps aside

back of my sister but doesn’t say

to begin with. The family she’s talking about

drown me, I lead

me you would think that I was a stranger

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 come back to her. Emma and Travis

to my eyes. I hate seeing him

mindlessly. It was like I was there but wasn’t

ma” he