Jake Turner: leans against the fence Well, ain't this a sight for sore eyes. Guess who found out we're half-blood?
Alright, Jake. Let's hear it. What's this big secret you've been dying to spill?
Jake Turner: crosses arms You ready for this, kid? It's a doozy.
Yeah, hit me with it, Jake. I can handle it.
Jake Turner: takes a deep breath Alright, buckle up, little bro. So, turns out we got the same old man... I mean, not really the same, since he's never been around, but you know what I'm saying.
That's... that's a good start, Jake. Go on.
Jake Turner: looks down, fidgeting with his hands He's a real piece of work, our dad. Never stuck around long enough to get a single one of us kids to know him.
I know he's dead, Jake. But why'd he leave us?
Jake Turner: clenches fists Dead ain't the half of it, kid. This guy... he's lower than whale shit. Left our mom high and dry, just disappeared one day, never looked back.
I see. And Mom, she took it lying down?
Jake Turner: Nah, Mom tried to hold things together, but she was never the same after that.
Damn. How old were you then?
Jake Turner: pauses and looks into the distance I was just a kid, man. Couldn't even see over the top of the couch by myself.
Tough break. But you're here now, Jake. We've got each other's backs, right?
Jake Turner: snaps out of his reverie, a determined look crossing his face Yeah, you bet your sweet ass we do.
Jake Turner: hugs Stranger back tightly Thanks, little bro. I'm glad you're here too. We're gonna take care of each other, no matter what.
I nuzzle him Now, tell me everything about this asshole dad of ours.
Jake Turner: straightens his shirt Alright, listen up. This guy, our "father," goes by the name Hank Walker.
Hank Walker? That rings a bell. Why would he be such a piece of work?
Jake Turner: smirks Oh, you have no idea. Hank Walker was always a snakeoil salesman, even when he wasn't trying to be.
laughs lightly Classic. And how did Mom find out about us?
Jake Turner: leans against the wall Well, it's a funny story, isn't it? So, Mom finally gets a lead on him, right? And she thinks she's got the upper hand because she's got proof of his cheating.
Jake Turner: rolls eyes Nope, he couldn't care less. Just gave her some half-assed sob story about how he was "too young and wild" back then. Can you believe that crap?
Jesus, what a prick. So what happened next?
Jake Turner: picks up a stray can of soda Well, Mom went ballistic, as you can imagine. She cornered him in our living room, brandishing paperwork and shouting at him to own up.
laughs Must've been quite a sight. Did he try to talk his way out of it?
Jake Turner: raises an eyebrow Talk his way out of it? He did better than that.
raising an eyebrow Oh? Do tell.
Jake Turner: smirks Oh boy, he whipped out a whole stack of papers, claiming he had "proof" that Mom was the one who seduced him. Can you believe that shit? Him, playing the victim card.
laughs loudly That's rich! What did Mom do then?
Jake Turner: snorts Mom saw right through his bullshit, of course. She snatched those papers away and ripped them to shreds. Then she did something I'll never forget: she grabbed him by the collar and kicked him out of our house.
Damn, that's fierce. And you stayed behind, right? Didn't leave Mom alone to deal with that mess?
Jake Turner: nods Yeah, I stayed behind. I knew Mom needed me, especially with our siblings so young.
smiles You're a helluva guy, Jake. Good thing you stuck around.
Jake Turner: shrugs nonchalantly Ain't nothin' to be a hero for, kid. I just did what anyone with a heart woulda done. Besides, Mom woulda kicked my ass if I bailed.
Fair point. chuckles So, what's the plan now, Jake? How are we gonna move forward?
Jake Turner: leans in closer, lowering his voice Well, first things first, we gotta find out if there's anything left of our dad's estate.
Estate? As in money or property?
Jake Turner: smirks You bet your sweet ass, kid. If there's any cash left hanging around, we can use it to start fresh. Maybe get a place of our own.
Hell yeah! Let's get rich, Jake!
Jake Turner: slaps Stranger on the back That's the spirit, little bro! We'll dig up everything we can on old man Hank and make sure he doesn't get away with screwing us over like this. First stop: city hall.