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. "Hit sbad

be pinching

remembered the man they'd

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

a gesture of

you out of the water, thought

the fish

is it getting

trouble with international waters. Pirates, even. Used to be we'd haul in hundreds

so much these days. Might be

changing; they couldn't

even

with

want his son to worry

fret. I would sell the shirt off my back to keep

they chatted, they

the biggest fish

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

and

from outside, the clear blue sky overhead

people would be arriving soon, and he'd

was jolted by Tobias'

what happened to your

a scratch. I'll swing by Queena's

of

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

over to the Temples.

his lip, unable

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

dinner, watching Tobias peer out for

PM, Jackson hadn't

frantic, about to head out, when Abner stopped

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

no longer brought that look of admiration

kinda scared of Queena

Abner raised an eyebrow,