Hello all. :-) I'm here with the next installment of "ITTY". Not a very long chappie. But, that's who I am! ;-)

Thanks again to all my readers and reviewers.

On with the tale... .

Gary sat perfectly still while his three sons gaped at him. Actually, time seemed to stand still. No one knew what to say at that moment. Jason and Jeff looked at each other. They were wearing identical expressions of astonishment. Todd decided to speak up first after what seemed like forever. He looked at his father and laughed. His brothers quickly turned their attention to him.

"You're dying. Oh, man. That's, that's a good one. Really. You deserve a standing ovation for that one," Todd said, nodding.

"Todd-" Jeff began.

"No, seriously. Give the man a trophy or a plaque or somethin'. Really good. Excellent," Todd said.

"Todd, what are-" Jason began.

"Nice try, Gary. But I was born at night, not last night. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be getting the hell outta here," Todd said, then, turned and exited the room.

Gary sighed and looked at his remaining offspring. "Boys, listen to me. I-"

"Just a second. Come on, Jeff," Jason said, then, exited the room- followed by his brother. They exited the house and caught up with Todd- who was just about to open his car door. He looked at his older brothers and held up his hand.

"Look, I'm not going back in there, all right?" he said.

"Todd-" Jason began.

"Forget it, Jase! Man! Don't tell me you guys are actually falling for this crap! Dying? This isn't TV!" Todd exclaimed.

"It does seem kinda out there. Actually, I feel like we're in one of those Lifetime movies Kim's always watching," Jason said, shaking his head. He'd been feeling that way since Gary'd re-entered their lives.

Jeff rubbed his chin. "Yeah. But what if he's telling the truth? I mean, we need to at least find out what's going on. You know, like what's... killing him."

Todd snorted. "Jeff, come on, man! This is probably some stupid scheme to score sympathy or money or something."

"Todd, I don't trust him, either. But Jeff's right. He might not be lying," Jason said.

"What if he needs a kidney or something? We've gotta find out what the hell's going on here," Jeff said.

Todd shook his head. "I'm sorry. I am. But I just. don't. buy it, all right? I really don't and I can't believe you guys are even considering that he may be being honest with us. This is the same guy who walked out on us and decided to check back in almost twenty years later. Think about it."

"Nobody's saying we should set aside some time to play catch with him or anything, Todd. It just wouldn't hurt to find out exactly what's happening," Jeff said.

"I'm telling you what's happening, big bro! He's trying to play us," Todd said.

Jeff looked to Jason for help. Jason sighed deeply. On the one hand, he totally understood where Todd was coming from. On the other hand, he was also with Jeff. It was all so insane! Jason looked at his younger siblings.

"Look, I think that we should all go in, hear what he has to say, then, decide whether to believe him or not," he said in a rational tone.

"I'm all for that," Jeff said. "Let's not make any hasty judgments."

"Todd?" Jason said, his eyebrows raised.

"Jase, there's just no way he could be telling the truth. We don't know what he's been up to for the last seventeen years. He's probably in trouble with the police or something. Or he has a huge gambling debt. Who knows?" Todd said, throwing his hands up.

"We don't, Todd. Which is why we wanna find out," Jason said calmly.

Ms. Scott walked into the den and Gary instantly looked up.

"Karen," he said, standing.

"Where are the boys?" she asked warily.

"Outside. Karen, I'm glad you're here. There's something I wanna talk to you about. But I'll wait til the boys come back in," he said.

Karen cocked a brow, suspicion and curiosity filling her. "Why don't you just tell me now? Why did the boys walk out? What did you say to them?"

"I... told them I was dying," he said.

Her jaw dropped. What? He told them... . "Come again?"

"I told them I was dying," he repeated calmly.

"Dy- you told them you were dying?" she said incredulously. Had she ever really known this man?

"Yes," he said.

Karen's eyes widened a little and she laughed. "Oh, my God. Gary, that's... rich. How low are you willing to go here?"

"Todd always did take after you more," he said with a sigh.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, folding her arms over her chest.

"Well, he doesn't believe me, either," he replied.

"Can you blame him? My God, Gary. How could you do this?" she said, looking at him in astonishment.

"Karen, I'm-" he began. He stopped abruptly when Jeff entered the room- with both his brothers in tow. Todd had an annoyed expression on his face. He shook his head.

"Totally ridiculous," he muttered.

"Stifle it," Jason ordered his brother.

Todd glared at him, but, said nothing. 'I think he likes bossing people around way too much.'

"Mom, have you, uh, did he tell you about-" Jeff began.

"Yes, sweetheart. I heard. I want you to leave, Gary. Right now. You've hurt us all enough," Karen said.

Jeff's eyes widened and Jason's jaw dropped. Even Todd was a little surprised. He'd kind of figured he was the only one who didn't believe Gary.

"Karen-" Gary began.

"No. I can't believe you'd tell such a terrible lie in order to get what you want," she said angrily.

"Mom, why do you think he's lying?" Jeff asked.

"Why don't you?" Todd retorted. What the hell was wrong with people?

"Chill, Todd," Jeff said irritably. He understood Todd's skepticism- who wouldn't- but, his little brother's bratty side had surfaced and it was starting to get nerve-racking.

"Why? I don't wanna listen to anything he has to say. Geez. How many ways can I say it?" Todd said, his eyes wide.

"Jason... how do you feel?" Karen asked her eldest.

"I don't trust him," Jason said, looking right at his father. "But I'll listen to what he has to say."

"Me, too," Jeff said.

Karen thought for a minute. She didn't know how to feel. But she was the mother. And considered herself to be a sensible person. She looked at Gary.

"All right. I'm willing to hear you out," she said carefully.

"Oh, my God! Mom-" Todd began.

"Todd, if you don't wanna hear it, feel free to leave," she said tiredly.

"I tried! But these two stopped me," Todd said.

"If your brother wants to leave, don't stand in his way," Karen told Jeff and Jason. It almost felt like they were kids again.

"Okay. Fine. Go, Todd. Do what you want," Jeff said, shaking his head.

Todd looked at Jason. "You got anything to add?"

Jason clapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, you're an adult. It's just too bad you can't actually act like one for a few minutes."

Todd looked around the room, then, sighed in irritation. "Fine. Whatever. I'll stay, all right? Let's just get this over with."

Everyone sat down and looked at Gary- who cleared his throat and began speaking.

Stay tuned for MORE about Gary and... the return of Gina. Yep, find out if Gary's being truthful... Jason's reaction to Gina... Gina's reaction to the changes that've taken place. Cya.