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 you?” Noah whispers

Thank goodness for small miracles. I

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

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

those around me even care? Whom am I kidding? They wouldn’t. They would probably hold a celebratory feast. The only one

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 as she was. Loved as she was. I wasn’t perfect as Emma was.

bigger than mine.

Noah’s voice pulls me out of my

the service was over

okay?” his deep voice always makes me

him 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 him staring lovingly at Emma is still fresh

Noah,

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

father yet and I

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

eyes were red and puffy, but she still looked like

sigh. I so didn’t want to face her right

we just bury father

in so that I’m the only one that can hear

will bury him alright but 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 everything back, including the man that was meant to be mine” she then steps aside and leaves just as the preacher calls us to go to back where

back of my sister but doesn’t say anything. I’m

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

pain that wanted to 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 would think that I

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 come back to her. Emma and Travis both have silent tears running down their faces as they hold her

comfort Noah. Hugging him as he cries beside me. Seeing him like this brings tears to my eyes. I hate seeing

accept them mindlessly. It was like I was there but wasn’t at the same time. By the

he drags me pointing to Rowan’s