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. "Only

picture of helplessness. "Hit sbad

pinching

the man they'd hauled

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

Tobias’ head, a gesture of

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

sighed at the fish

it getting harder to

bans in our usual spots, trouble with international waters. Pirates, even. Used

so much

changing; they couldn't

even more

luck with the

son to worry and tousled

fret. I would sell the shirt off my back

chatted, they headed

biggest fish

these fish won't

and set to

from outside, the clear blue sky overhead a stark contrast

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

thought, he was jolted by Tobias' alarmed

your hand? Why's it

scratch. I'll swing by

the mention of Queena,

on, his leg swollen, but he

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

bit his lip, unable

lights blazing, a crowd

for dinner, watching Tobias peer

PM, Jackson hadn't

head

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

no longer brought that look of

kinda scared of Queena

raised an eyebrow,