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.

was a picture of helplessness. "Hit

they'd be pinching pennies

the man

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

head, a gesture of simple

when we dragged you out of the water, thought you

at the fish

it getting harder

with international waters. Pirates, even. Used to

no problem. Not so much

were changing; they couldn't rely solely on

even

with the

his son to worry

would sell the shirt off

chatted, they

biggest fish for Tobias to

needs the protein, still recovering. And these fish won't cover your fees, so no need to

and set

blue sky overhead a stark contrast to the

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

thought, he was jolted by Tobias' alarmed

your

I'll swing

of Queena, Tobias

more than he let on, his leg

to the Temples. Heard Mr. Temple

bit his lip,

was visible from theirs, lights blazing, a

Tobias peer out for

PM, Jackson

to head out,

at the Temples. Nothing to worry about. And if he was

of admiration to Tobias' face; he sat

scared of

Abner raised an