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.

a picture of helplessness.

they'd be pinching pennies now, his face

remembered the man they'd hauled in from

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

head, a gesture of simple

witless when we dragged you out of the water, thought

at the fish in Jackson's

is it getting harder to catch

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

Not so much these days.

they couldn't

even

with the

didn't want his son to worry and tousled his

shirt off

they chatted, they headed

fish for Tobias to

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

nodded and set

outside, the clear blue sky overhead a stark contrast to

would be arriving soon, and he'd

in thought, he was jolted by

what happened to your hand? Why's it

I'll swing

mention of Queena, Tobias

more than he let on, his leg swollen, but

the Temples. Heard Mr. Temple passed. It's only right

bit his lip, unable to

blazing, a crowd gathered

for dinner, watching Tobias peer out for his

PM, Jackson hadn't

head out,

worry about. And if he was hurt bad, Queena's there.

brought that look of admiration to Tobias'

I'm kinda scared

Abner raised an eyebrow,