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 sbad winds,

they'd be pinching

man they'd hauled in

"How you holding up?"

"Better, thanks."

Tobias’ head, a gesture

all scared witless when we dragged you out of

at the fish in

it getting harder

trouble with international waters. Pirates, even. Used to

problem. Not so much these

were changing; they couldn't rely solely on the

even

luck with

his son to worry and tousled his

would sell the shirt off my back to keep

chatted, they

biggest fish for

fish won't cover your

nodded and

blue sky overhead a stark contrast to the sea's

would be arriving soon, and he'd

in thought, he was jolted

happened to your

a scratch. I'll swing by Queena's for

mention of

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

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

his lip,

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

watching Tobias peer out

c11 PM, Jackson

was frantic, about to head out,

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

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

kinda scared of

Abner raised an