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.

of helplessness.

pinching pennies now, his face

the man they'd hauled in from

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

a

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

at the fish in

getting harder

international waters. Pirates,

much these days. Might be the

changing; they couldn't rely solely on

even

with the

want his son to worry and tousled

off my back to keep

chatted,

fish

protein, still recovering. And these fish

and set

blue sky overhead a stark contrast to the sea's

people would be arriving soon, and he'd leave

he was jolted by

happened to your hand?

I'll swing by

the mention of

more than he let on, his

to the Temples. Heard

lip, unable

was visible from theirs, lights blazing, a crowd gathered

for dinner, watching Tobias peer out for

c11 PM, Jackson hadn't

about to head out,

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

brought that look of admiration to Tobias' face; he sat

kinda scared

Abner raised an