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.

face was a picture of helplessness. "Hit sbad winds, son. Let's head

be pinching pennies

man they'd hauled in

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

Tobias’ head, a gesture of simple

witless when we dragged you out of the water,

at the fish in Jackson's

getting harder to

Fishing bans in our usual spots, trouble with international

so much these days. Might

were changing; they couldn't rely solely on the

looked even more

with the school

son to

shirt off my back to keep

chatted, they

chose the biggest fish for

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

and set

outside, the clear blue sky

people would be arriving soon, and he'd leave

was

your hand? Why's it

scratch. I'll swing by Queena's for

the mention of Queena,

he let on, his

Temples. Heard Mr. Temple passed. It's only right to lend a

his lip, unable to

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

stayed for dinner, watching Tobias peer out for

PM,

about to head out, when Abner stopped

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

no longer brought that look of admiration

scared of Queena

Abner raised an