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 five,

picture of helplessness.

pinching

Jackson remembered the man they'd hauled in from

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

head, a gesture of simple

we dragged you out of the water, thought you were

at the

getting harder

trouble with international waters. Pirates, even. Used to be

no problem. Not so much these days. Might

they couldn't rely solely on the

looked even

with the

to worry and tousled

fret. I would sell the shirt off my

chatted, they

the biggest fish for

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

and

outside, the clear blue sky overhead a stark contrast to

would be arriving soon, and he'd leave

in thought, he was

to your hand? Why's

swing by

mention of Queena, Tobias clammed

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

get the fish cooked. I'm heading over to the Temples.

lip, unable to

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

stayed for dinner, watching Tobias peer out

PM, Jackson

about to head out, when Abner stopped

probably caught up at the Temples. Nothing to worry about. And if he

Queena no longer brought that look of

kinda scared

raised