Some kids will never know their father story. For years of manipulation of their brains has changed them. When they state my dad was never there. Realize he has a another side of the story to tell.
Sure some will lie and have those alibis to defend them Then there are those will nothing to gain by telling you everything. Even if you must look at your mother in a different way.
None, can honestly say men doesn't protect lies mother's tells. Some told to a child over multiple times to no avail.
Analyze your mother from a different view. And most likely you can tell if she manipulating the truth. Not that your father is innocent in anyway.
But life's mistakes leads us in different ways.
Her past might holds stories she don't want to reveal. And his life might be one of the reason's you'll not ware of the real deal. Some kids are born of some wicked ways. Some kids are born when your dad didn't know a thing.
A well known line of a Temptations' song. Proudly states "mama I'm depending on you to tell me the truth". Still many lies.
So many men has a dad's tale to speak. Until you talk to them you barely aware of anything.