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.

face was a picture of helplessness. "Hit sbad

be pinching pennies now, his face

the man they'd hauled

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

Tobias’ head, a

dragged you out of the water, thought you were

sighed at the fish in

it getting

in our usual spots, trouble with international waters.

Not so much

were changing; they couldn't rely solely

even

with

his son to worry and tousled

shirt off my back to keep you

chatted,

biggest fish for Tobias

protein, still recovering. And these fish

nodded and set

outside, the clear blue sky overhead a

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

was

to your hand?

a scratch. I'll swing

of Queena,

he let on, his leg swollen, but he didn't

to the Temples.

bit his lip,

Temples' house was visible from theirs, lights blazing, a crowd gathered even late into the

Tobias peer out

PM, Jackson hadn't

frantic, about to head out, when

about. And if

look of admiration to Tobias'

kinda scared of

Abner raised an eyebrow,