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

a picture of helplessness. "Hit

they'd be pinching pennies now, his

Jackson remembered the man they'd hauled in from the

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

Tobias’ head, a gesture of

witless when we dragged you out of the water, thought

at the

is it getting harder to catch

spots, trouble with international waters.

Not so much these days. Might be

were changing; they couldn't

looked even

luck with the school

didn't want his son to worry and tousled his

shirt off my back to

chatted, they headed

chose the biggest fish

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

nodded and

from outside, the clear blue sky overhead

arriving

thought, he was jolted

happened to your hand?

swing by Queena's

mention of Queena, Tobias

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

the fish cooked. I'm heading over to the Temples.

his lip, unable to

blazing, a crowd gathered even

stayed for dinner, watching Tobias peer out

PM,

frantic, about to head out, when Abner

worry about. And if he was

that look of admiration to Tobias' face; he

kinda scared of Queena

Abner raised an