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 up a

have made a difference? Changed it and touched the lives of those that you met along the way? Or

am I kidding? They wouldn’t. They would probably hold a celebratory feast. The only one who will be

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

Noah’s voice pulls me out of my

realize that the service was over and everyone was

you okay?” his deep

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

I just can’t look at him. Not

Noah,

a crowd of people wanting to give us their condolences. I spot some

buried father yet and

show your

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

want to face her right

we just bury father

I’m the only one

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

of my sister but doesn’t

of them were mine to begin with. The family she’s talking about worships the ground she walks one. And Rowan?

wanted to drown me, I lead Noah

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

to dust…” the preacher says as

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