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.

knew they'd be pinching

Jackson remembered the man they'd hauled in from

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

Tobias’ head, a

you out of the water, thought

at the

is it getting harder to

son. Fishing bans in our usual spots, trouble with international

much these

were changing; they couldn't rely solely on the

even more

luck with

didn't want his son to worry and

sell the shirt off my back to keep

chatted,

the biggest fish for

And these fish won't cover your fees, so

nodded and set to

the clear blue sky overhead a stark

people would be arriving soon, and he'd leave

he was jolted

what happened to your hand? Why's it

I'll swing by Queena's

mention of

he let on, his leg swollen, but he

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

lip, unable

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

stayed for dinner, watching Tobias peer out

c11 PM, Jackson hadn't

head out,

at the Temples. Nothing to worry about. And

no longer brought that look of

kinda scared

Abner raised an eyebrow,