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 five,

helplessness. "Hit sbad winds, son. Let's head

pinching pennies now, his face

the man they'd hauled in

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

head, a gesture of simple

witless when we dragged you

the fish in Jackson's

getting

with international waters. Pirates, even. Used

problem. Not so much these days. Might be

couldn't rely solely on

even

with the

to worry and tousled

I would sell the shirt off my back to keep

they chatted, they

chose the biggest fish for

protein, still recovering. And these fish won't

and set to

blue sky overhead a stark

own people would be arriving soon,

in thought, he was jolted by Tobias'

what happened to your hand? Why's

a scratch. I'll swing by Queena's for

the mention of Queena,

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

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

his lip, unable to

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

Tobias peer out for

PM, Jackson

was frantic, about to head

about. And if

brought that look of admiration to Tobias'

I'm kinda scared of

Abner raised an eyebrow,