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 five,

face was a picture of helplessness. "Hit

pinching pennies now, his

Abner, Jackson remembered the man they'd

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

a gesture of simple

all scared witless when we dragged you out of the water, thought you were

the fish

getting harder to catch

Fishing bans in our usual spots, trouble with international waters. Pirates,

much these days.

were changing; they couldn't rely

even more

with

want his son to worry

would sell the shirt off my

they chatted, they

the biggest fish for Tobias to

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

and

sky overhead

own people would be arriving

in thought, he was

your

scratch. I'll swing by Queena's

of

was hurt more than he let on, his leg swollen,

fish cooked. I'm heading over to the Temples. Heard Mr. Temple passed.

lip, unable

Temples' house was visible from theirs, lights blazing, a crowd gathered even late into

for dinner, watching Tobias peer

c11 PM, Jackson hadn't

was frantic, about to head out,

probably caught up at the Temples. Nothing to worry about. And if he was hurt bad,

longer brought that look of admiration to Tobias' face;

I'm kinda scared

Abner raised