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 five,

of helplessness. "Hit sbad winds,

be pinching

man they'd

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

a gesture of

we dragged you out of the water,

at the fish in Jackson's

is it getting harder to

usual spots, trouble with international waters. Pirates, even. Used to be we'd haul

Not so much these

they couldn't rely solely on

looked even more

luck with the

didn't want his son to worry

sell the shirt off my back to keep you

chatted, they

fish for Tobias

recovering. And these fish

nodded and

clear blue sky

arriving soon,

was jolted by Tobias' alarmed

happened to your hand? Why's

swing

mention of Queena, Tobias clammed

on, his

cooked. I'm heading over to the Temples. Heard Mr. Temple passed. It's only

bit his lip,

from theirs, lights blazing,

for dinner, watching Tobias peer

PM, Jackson hadn't

about to head

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

brought that look of admiration to

I'm kinda scared of Queena

Abner raised an