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. "Hit sbad winds, son. Let's

they'd be pinching pennies now, his

reaching Abner, Jackson remembered the man they'd hauled in from the

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

patted Tobias’ head, a gesture of

we dragged you out of the water, thought you were

sighed at the

it getting harder to catch

with international waters. Pirates, even. Used to be we'd

problem. Not so much these days. Might

were changing; they couldn't rely

even more

with the school

son to worry and

fret. I would sell the shirt off my back

chatted, they

fish for Tobias

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

nodded and set to

listened from outside, the clear blue sky overhead a stark contrast to the sea's

people would be arriving soon, and he'd

in thought, he was jolted by Tobias' alarmed

to your

scratch. I'll swing

of Queena,

was hurt more than he let on, his leg swollen, but he didn't want

I'm heading over to the Temples. Heard Mr. Temple passed.

his lip, unable

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

stayed for dinner, watching Tobias peer

PM,

frantic, about to head

Temples. Nothing to worry about. And if he was hurt bad, Queena's there.

of admiration to Tobias' face; he sat

I'm kinda scared of Queena

raised an eyebrow,