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

a picture of helplessness.

pinching pennies now,

Abner, Jackson remembered the man they'd hauled

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

head, a gesture of simple

were all scared witless when we dragged you out of

the fish

getting

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

much these days. Might be the

they couldn't rely

looked even more

with the

want his son to worry and tousled his

the shirt off my back to keep

they chatted, they

biggest fish

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

nodded and set

listened from outside, the clear blue sky overhead

people would be arriving

thought, he was jolted by Tobias'

to your

a scratch. I'll swing

of

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

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

bit his lip,

from theirs, lights blazing, a crowd

Tobias peer out for

PM, Jackson

was frantic, about to head out,

Nothing to worry about. And if he was hurt bad,

Queena no longer brought that look of admiration to Tobias' face;

kinda scared

raised an eyebrow,