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.

glanced around. "Only

helplessness. "Hit

knew they'd be pinching pennies now, his

the man they'd hauled in from the

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

head, a gesture

witless when we dragged you out of the water, thought

at the fish in

it getting harder to catch

usual spots, trouble with international waters. Pirates, even. Used to be we'd

Not so much

they couldn't rely solely on the

looked even more

with the

didn't want his son to

I would sell the shirt off my back

chatted, they headed

chose the biggest fish

protein, still recovering. And these fish won't cover your fees, so no need

and

the clear blue sky overhead a stark

own people would be arriving soon, and he'd leave

thought, he was jolted by Tobias' alarmed

to your

I'll swing by Queena's for

of Queena, Tobias clammed

his leg swollen, but he didn't want Tobias

over to the Temples. Heard Mr. Temple passed. It's only

his lip, unable to

theirs, lights blazing, a crowd gathered even late into the

for dinner, watching Tobias peer out for

c11 PM,

frantic, about to head out,

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

Queena no longer brought that look of admiration to Tobias' face;

I'm kinda scared

raised an