Ex-Husband's Regret

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.

“Can I sit between the two of you?” Noah whispers to me.

I breathe a sigh of relief. Thank goodness for small miracles. I wouldn’t have to be near his suffocating presence.

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

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. 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

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

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

pulls me

service was

deep voice always makes

but I’ll have to because for the next ten

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

on Noah,

up and we walk towards 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

hadn’t buried father yet

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

blotchy and her eyes were red and puffy, but she still looked like

so didn’t want to

Can we just bury

in so that I’m the only one that

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

the departing back of my sister but doesn’t say anything. I’m left shocked at

begin with. The family she’s

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

Travis. They’re huddled together. Looking at them and me you would think that I was a stranger just attending the burial instead

the preacher says as they lower father’s body to

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 in their