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,

helplessness. "Hit sbad winds, son. Let's head

knew they'd be pinching pennies now, his

reaching Abner, Jackson remembered the man they'd hauled in

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

Tobias’ head, a gesture of simple

when we dragged you

sighed at the fish

is it getting harder to catch

spots, trouble with international waters. Pirates, even.

Not so much these days. Might

they couldn't rely

even more

with the

son to worry

sell the shirt off my back to

chatted, they headed

fish for

fish won't cover your fees, so no need to

nodded and

outside, the clear blue sky overhead a stark contrast to the

be arriving soon,

he was jolted by Tobias'

happened to your

I'll swing

the mention of Queena, Tobias clammed

his

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

bit his lip, unable to

house was visible from theirs, lights blazing, a crowd gathered even

dinner, watching Tobias peer

c11 PM, Jackson hadn't

about to head out, when Abner

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

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

kinda scared of Queena

raised