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

of helplessness. "Hit

they'd be pinching pennies now, his face

man they'd hauled in from

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

Tobias’ head, a gesture of

you out of the

sighed at the fish

it getting

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

so much these days. Might be the

changing; they couldn't

even more

luck with

his son to

shirt off

chatted, they headed

the biggest fish

still recovering. And these fish won't cover your fees, so no need to be

nodded and set

listened from outside, the clear blue sky overhead a stark contrast to the sea's

be arriving soon, and he'd leave his

was

to your

scratch. I'll swing

of Queena, Tobias

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

heading over to the Temples. Heard

his lip,

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

for dinner, watching Tobias peer out for

PM, Jackson hadn't

head

the Temples. Nothing to worry about. And

brought that look of admiration to

scared of Queena

Abner raised