As Kev stalled for time, the sheepdog commenced barking in the backyard. Kev guessed, based on the excited tone of the barks, that Jared had spotted the squirrel again.
Another squeeze, not quite painful but very strong, of his shoulder brought his attention away from the sound of the barking and back into the cool confrontation with what he now knew to be an impostor. "Kev?" The impostor asked. "You spacing out?"
What should he say? Kev debated options, but his decision got circumvented with a frustrated command from the kitchen. "Will one of you please take that dog for a walk?" Mrs. Webster implored. "I can't listen to that racket while I'm making dinner!"
The impostor smiled. "Why don't we both take Shaggy for his walk?"
Kev wondered if was his imagination or did the impostor place particular emphasis on the word Shaggy?
"Sure," Kev agreed.
With no farther ado, the brothers walked into the yard. Sure enough, the sheepdog had the squirrel treed again.
"Stupid, silly dog," the impostor said. "Why doesn't he realize he will never catch that squirrel?"
Kev almost quipped that Shaggy used to spend plenty of time barking at squirrels before he started walking on two legs and took over Jared's life.
The impostor walked over and grabbed the dog's collar and attached the leash. Kev cringed when the dog he knew to be the real Jared licked the impostor's hands and whined to ingratiate himself with the impostor.
"Good boy," the impostor said and patted the top of the dog's head.
"Stop treating him like that," Kev snapped.
The impostor's grip on the leash tightened. "Like what, Kev?"
Kev withered under the impostor's cool gaze. "Like...uh..." The boy stepped forward and scratched the dog's ears. "He'd rather be scratched behind the ears," Kev said, quickly trying to cover his blurted objection. "He doesn't really like being petted."
"I guess I forgot," the impostor said and smiled. "Ready to go?"
Kev nodded.
"Great. Why don't you grab a pair of the plastic gloves and a baggie?" The impostor grinned. "You know, for when he does his business."
Kev groaned inwardly. He really didn't want to have to pick up after his own brother! It had been enough watching him pee on mom's azalea. He couldn't betray any hesitancy, however, or he'd simply arouse more suspicions. He grabbed the items as instructed and fell into line behind the impostor, who opened the gate and let the sheepdog choose left or right when they reached the sidewalk.