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.

glanced around. "Only

face was a picture of helplessness. "Hit sbad winds, son. Let's

be pinching pennies now, his face

Abner, Jackson remembered the man they'd

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

Tobias’ head, a

you out of the water, thought you were a

sighed at the fish in Jackson's

getting

spots, trouble with international waters. Pirates, even. Used to

much these

changing; they couldn't rely solely on the

even more

luck with

to worry and tousled his

sell the shirt off my

chatted, they

biggest fish

needs the protein, still recovering. And these fish won't cover your

nodded and

clear blue sky overhead a stark contrast

arriving soon, and he'd leave

thought, he was jolted

your hand? Why's

a scratch. I'll swing

of Queena,

he let on, his leg swollen, but

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

his lip, unable

lights blazing, a crowd gathered even late

dinner, watching Tobias peer

c11 PM, Jackson hadn't

head out, when Abner stopped

Nothing to worry about. And if he was hurt

of admiration to Tobias' face;

I'm kinda scared of

raised an