Dear Ex-wife Marry Me by Twin Bridge

"I'm off to meet my dad, his boat's docked," Tobias stammered, his eyes darting away, clearly hiding something.

But in this backwater town, what secrets could he keep?

Abner walked on without a word, Tobias trailing behind him, lost in thought and tripping over his own feet.

It was a nasty fall; blood gushed from his nose.

Abner helped him up. "You should head back and have Queena take a look."

At the mention of Queena, Tobias clutched his nose as if stung.

"No need, no need, it's just a scratch. I'll be fine, really."

Strange, considering how much Tobias usually adored Queena, his reaction now was anything but normal.

Even a guy as simple as Abner could see something was up.

But he said nothing, just pulled Tobias to his feet, and they ambled toward his house.

The boats coming in was usually the highlight of the day, but since both families had recently lost someone, the crowd was sparse.

Abner tagged along to the shore. Tobias seemed out of it, but he perked up at the sight of the approaching fishing boat, hopping

excitedly on the dock.

Soon enough, the boat landed. But thanks to a harsh wind, the catch was meager; six crewmen brought in just two buckets of fish.

Fishing was always a gamble. A good haul could set you up for the year.

A bad one meant tightening your belt.

Tobias spotted his dad, looking grim, and called out.

"Dad! Over here! Over here!"

The man, Jackson, tanned and weathered from the sea, didn't look happy with just two buckets of fish. His share, five fish, wouldn't

cover much, let alone school fees.

"Tobias."

Jackson called out, holding up the fish as he approached.

around.

picture of helplessness. "Hit sbad winds,

knew they'd be pinching pennies

remembered the man they'd hauled in from

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

Tobias’ head, a gesture

all scared witless when we dragged you out of the water, thought you were a

the fish in

getting harder

usual spots, trouble with international waters.

no problem. Not so much these

changing; they couldn't

even

with the school

to worry and

I would sell the shirt off my back to keep

chatted, they headed

chose the biggest fish for Tobias to

protein, still recovering. And these fish won't cover your fees,

and

sky overhead a

people would be arriving soon, and he'd leave

was jolted

to your hand? Why's

I'll swing by Queena's

of Queena, Tobias clammed

he let on, his leg swollen, but he didn't want Tobias to

cooked. I'm heading over to the Temples. Heard Mr. Temple passed. It's only

his lip, unable to

blazing,

watching Tobias

PM,

to head out, when Abner

at the Temples. Nothing to worry about. And if he was hurt bad, Queena's there. She's got

of admiration to Tobias'

kinda scared

raised an eyebrow,