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,

was a picture of helplessness.

they'd be pinching pennies now,

Abner, Jackson remembered the man

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

head, a gesture of simple

all scared witless when we dragged you out of

sighed at the fish in

is it getting harder to

Fishing bans in our usual spots, trouble with international

no problem. Not so much these days. Might

were changing; they couldn't rely solely on

looked even more

luck with the school

his son to worry and tousled his

shirt off my

they chatted,

fish for

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

nodded and set to

the clear blue sky overhead a

people would be arriving soon, and

thought, he was

your hand? Why's it

a scratch. I'll swing

of

hurt more than he let on, his leg

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

bit his lip,

blazing, a crowd gathered even late

stayed for dinner, watching Tobias peer out for

PM,

frantic, about to head out, when

Nothing to worry about. And if he was hurt bad, Queena's

that look of

I'm kinda scared of

raised an eyebrow,