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.

switch seats with him. The moment we

leave it? Will you have made a difference? Changed it and touched the lives of those that

can’t help but think about 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 celebratory feast. The only one who will be affected by my death will be Noah. Just

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.

pain is bigger than mine. Her happiness is a priority over mine. She always comes first in everyone’s mind while I’m left chasing after leftovers of

pulls me out

service was over and everyone was

you okay?” his deep voice always makes me

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

shoulders I stand up, without looking at him. I know it seems rude but I just can’t look at him. Not when

on Noah, let’s

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

father yet and I was already

to show your

was blotchy and her eyes were red and puffy,

sigh. I so didn’t want to face

now Emma. Can we just bury father

that I’m

to take everything back, including the

my sister but doesn’t say anything. I’m left shocked at her

have to take anything back because none of them were mine to begin with. The family she’s talking about

down the pain that wanted to drown me, I lead Noah to the place that

distance from mother, Emma and Travis. They’re huddled together. Looking at them and me you would think that I was

preacher says as they lower father’s

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