"We've just been arguing bit lately. I mean, this is the final season of this series of Star Trek, so I'm pretty much out of work for a while, which of course, means less money coming in. And I guess having a new baby in the family is making things tough - I will never understand how Ike and Babsie handle it," Austin replied.
"Neither will I."
"Then there's this guy Jess won't let Marie date. Marie does anyway, like any teenager, and of course, Jess gets mad at me because I don't support this decision."
"Why not?"
"Jess has never really met the kid, only his father. Just because the father might be rubbish doesn't mean the son is, y'know?"
"Sure. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help."
"I will," Austin paused. "There is something else..."
"Yeah?"
"We... we haven't told anyone this... not even the kids, well, Marie knows, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything."
"My lips are sealed."
"Marie... Marie has been diagnosed with cancer."
"What?" Zac gasped.
"Oh, it gets worse," Austin went on. "She needs a bone marrow transplant, but she has a rare type."
"Have you ever noticed a lot of people have rare blood and bone marrow types? They turn up in the movies all the time."
"This is serious you know Zac."
"Sorry. But you have to admit I am right."
"Maybe, but anyway, Jess doesn't have the right type, and I don't of course. So, ahh, that leaves... well, the doctors think... well... the real father..."
"Mark?"
"Umm, yeah. They think we should contact him and find out if he has the right type."
"That's flippin' easier said than done," Zac growled. "First of all, I'm liable to smash his face in if I ever lay eyes on him again, and secondly I have no idea what happened to him."
"And thirdly Jess isn't sure she wants him to have anything to do with Marie."
"I think he has enough to do with Marie as it is. At least she's more like Jess than Mark."
"I mean, there's a chance that they might find someone else with that type, but... oh I don't know! Marie may not be my real daughter, but that doesn't make me love her any less."
"I understand dude, I understand."