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,

a picture of helplessness. "Hit sbad

they'd be pinching

man they'd hauled in from

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

patted Tobias’ head, a

scared witless when we dragged you out of the water, thought you were a

sighed at the

is it getting

trouble with international waters. Pirates, even.

Not so much these days.

were changing; they couldn't rely solely on

even more

with the school

didn't want his son to worry and

would sell the shirt off my back to keep you in

chatted,

chose the biggest fish for Tobias to

fish won't cover your fees, so no need to

nodded and set to

sky overhead a

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

he was

your hand? Why's it

swing by Queena's for

of Queena, Tobias

on, his leg swollen, but he didn't want Tobias

to the Temples.

his lip, unable to

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

for dinner, watching Tobias peer out for

c11 PM, Jackson

to head out, when Abner

Nothing to worry about. And

of admiration to Tobias'

kinda scared of Queena

raised an eyebrow,