Bill Webster, incredulous in the beginning, listened as his youngest son spilled the details on a story involving magic amulets, an Egyptian deity, transformations, and the esoteric research results Kevin had managed to uncover, as well as the boy's now regretted desire for a dog of his very own.
Jared listened, too, proud of Kevin's gift for summarizing the admittedly bizarre situation. He also noticed almost imperceptible changes in his father's attitude, such as the gradual backing away and the hint of revulsion on his father's face whenever he looked in his direction for very long.
In a tone of complete exasperation, Dad interrupted. "How long has he been a dog?"
Kevin opened his mouth, then shut it. He shrugged with an admission that he wasn't quite sure. "I didn't realize he had turned back into a dog," Kevin said in such a nonchalant tone that Bill Webster wanted to throttle his youngest son.
At that moment, a familiar voice surprised everyone as they turned to face the impostor, who quickly became aware that his charade had been exposed when the sheepdog growled at him, Kevin gasped, and Dad, looking red in the face and stepping closer to confront Jared's doppelgänger, demanded to know, "Who the hell is he?"
The real Jared barked as Kevin tried to blurt out his own theories, but Dad held up his hands. "One at a time!"
To the surprise of everyone, the impostor smoothly admitted the truth, capped with his own justification and then a smug smile as he confronted the hostility of the listeners with his own belief in the fait accompli of the situation. "My suggestion is that we all make the best of the situation," he said in reasonable tones using Jared's voice to persuasive effect as his "father" listened.
Jared barked a protest, supported by Kevin. "We can't just give up!"
Bill Webster listened to his eldest son, or rather the one standing on two legs. "No one else knows?"
The impostor smiled. "No one else knows, and no one else has to know," he said.
Kevin started to object, but the impostor persevered. "Think of the unnecessary uproar if word gets out," the impostor said. "Dad's got his reputation as the bank president and community leader to think of."
Jared whimpered upon noticing his father nodding at the impostor's words.
"I am fitting in quite well," the impostor boasted. "Teachers, coaches, friends, they all accept me. You all accepted me. I am more than willing to play my part..."
"It's not a part!" Kevin exclaimed.
"And there's no way to, uh, put things right?" Dad asked.
"None that I know of," the impostor said.
Jared barked angrily, but Kevin spoke for him. "We don't know that. I've been researching Wepwawet..."
"I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Bill Webster said nervously. "This Wep-whatever-you-call it, if he really has powers..."
"Dad!"
"Look! You and your brother messed around with something you didn't understand," Dad said. "You're lucky this is the worst that happened. We will just have to see how this plays out. In the meantime, we'll all pretend that life's normal."
Jared listened in horror. He knew that his dad placed great store in appearances, but he had never imagined this reaction.
"No need to let on to your mother," Dad sniffed, looking a bit embarrassed when he glanced back at the sheepdog. It was made more awkward by the fact that Jared had taken that very instant to scratch at an itch.
"I agree," the impostor said. "Oh, by the way. I have some news the Coach shared with me about baseball scholarships."
Kevin and Jared were left standing in the yard as father and "son" walked into the house.