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. "Only five,

picture of helplessness. "Hit sbad winds, son. Let's

they'd be pinching pennies now, his face

reaching Abner, Jackson remembered the man they'd hauled

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

patted Tobias’ head, a

all scared witless when we dragged you out of the

sighed at the

getting harder

son. Fishing bans in our usual spots, trouble with international waters. Pirates, even. Used to be we'd haul

so much these days. Might be

were changing; they couldn't rely solely on the

even

with the

didn't want his son to

fret. I would sell the shirt off my back to keep

chatted,

the biggest fish for

sir needs the protein, still recovering. And these fish won't

nodded and set to

outside, the clear blue sky overhead a stark contrast to the sea's

be arriving soon, and he'd

was jolted

happened to your hand? Why's it

a scratch. I'll swing

mention of Queena, Tobias

hurt more than he let on, his leg swollen, but

heading over to the Temples. Heard Mr. Temple passed.

his lip, unable to

lights blazing, a crowd gathered even late into the

dinner, watching Tobias peer

PM,

about to head out, when

Nothing to worry about. And if he was hurt bad,

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

kinda scared of

Abner raised an eyebrow,