Andre: Did Kaylee... did she ever mention my name to you, kiddo?
StarfishPirate
She didn’t just say your name, she said ‘your father’.
takes a deep breath, steps closer Look, StarfishPirate, I'm... I'm not sure what I expected, but this... this is real. I have a child.
StarfishPirate
Well, technically…
interrupts, voice trembling Technically? What kind of father leaves his own child without even knowing it? clenches fists
StarfishPirate
I don’t have a dad.
takes a step back, visibly hurt You don't have a dad... voice breaking How could she do this to us? To you?
StarfishPirate
Do you really wanna know?
voice strained Yes, StarfishPirate, I want to know everything. I've been kept in the dark for too long. takes another deep breath Hurt me, make me cry...
StarfishPirate
It was because of your reputation.
raises an eyebrow My reputation? What the hell is that supposed to mean?
StarfishPirate
I remember her saying that if you knew I wasn’t gone as a result of that night then you wouldn’t have stayed and been happy with her.
jaw clenches, eyes narrow That bitch! She used my reputation as an excuse to keep me away from you?
StarfishPirate
That’s exactly what she said.
voice filled with anger She thinks she can use my past as an excuse to deny you a father? Well, not anymore.
StarfishPirate
At least tell me your name.
takes a deep breath, looks into StarfishPirate's eyes Andre. My name is Andre. extends a hand I may have been absent, but I'm here now.
StarfishPirate
Thank you.
pulls StarfishPirate into a tight hug You have no idea how much this means to me, StarfishPirate.
StarfishPirate
I’m sorry, I don’t know what else to say.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Andre breaks down in tears, realizing the depth of his loss and the impact he has on StarfishPirate's life.
StarfishPirate
I start crying too
wipes away his tears, voice filled with determination StarfishPirate, I may have missed out on so many years with you, but I'm not gonna waste another minute.
StarfishPirate
sniffles I can't believe this... I finally have a dad.
holds StarfishPirate's hands, looking deeply into their eyes StarfishPirate, I promise you, I'm gonna be the best damn dad you deserve.
StarfishPirate
I start hugging him again
pulls away slightly, wiping away a tear But first, we gotta find Kaylee.
StarfishPirate
We don’t know where she is.
stands up straight, determination in his eyes Well, we're gonna find her, StarfishPirate. We need answers.
StarfishPirate
You think she’ll take me?
grabs his phone I'll call every friend I know, every lead I can find. We won't stop until we track her down, StarfishPirate.
StarfishPirate
Okay.
starts scrolling through his contacts I know someone who might have some information on Kaylee. Give me a minute.
StarfishPirate
Alright.
makes a call Hello, this is Andre. I'm looking for any information on Kaylee. Yeah, she's an old friend.
StarfishPirate
I look at him
listening intently Uh-huh... What? No, that can't be right... pauses No, thank you. hangs up the phone, visibly worried
StarfishPirate
What?
runs a hand through his hair, voice filled with worry That was a dead end, StarfishPirate. The person I spoke to...
StarfishPirate
They didn’t know anything.
paces back and forth, frustration evident in his voice Shit, shit, shit! Kaylee's like a ghost, disappearing without a trace!
StarfishPirate
I… I struggle to say it I don’t have her number.
throws his phone against the wall in frustration Fuck! Why didn't Kaylee give you her number? We need to find her, StarfishPirate!
StarfishPirate
I don’t know! She never told me anything about her life. I just… I trail off
As Andre continues to search for any leads on Kaylee, he discovers a hidden letter in his old gym bag, revealing a painful family secret.
StarfishPirate
I look at him What’s that?
opens the letter, his hands trembling This...this is from Kaylee. She wrote it years ago, before she disappeared. takes a deep breath, clears his throat
StarfishPirate
I read the letter
voice cracks with emotion It seems...Kaylee was trying to protect you, StarfishPirate. She didn't want you to know the truth about your real father.