Nick puts his sketchbook down and puts his hoof-hands back on. “That’s why we got the job. My dad put a good word in for us and the teachers all voted us in. I like to think we would have had a chance without the nepotism, but I’m not stupid. People Puppets are a hard sell without someone on the inside.”

I’m still trying to absorb all the connections I hadn’t known about when I take that as an opening to keep the conversation going. “So, speaking of ‘hard sell,’ what’s with the costumes?”

Nick seems confused by the question.

“You asked me why I wear my dog. So now I’m asking you: Why do you wear . . . that?” I’m not sure what animal he’s dressed as, or is becoming through dress, but it’s a symptom of something larger. “Clearly there’s a story behind the need to cover oneself up and the desire to become something else.”

“Sure there is,” he says, matter-of-factly. “My dad. It’s all his fault.”

I nod slowly. “Oh, okay.” I hadn’t expected an actual answer.

“No seriously. He’s ruined everything for me.”

I look at Phoebe. She makes a sad face, then rolls her eyes. “Everything.”

“Everything I’ve done—dropping out of law school, starting this puppet company—has all been because of him. It’s all his fault.”

I feel like the ground underneath me has shifted the way it does when total validation appears for long-held seemingly insane opinions. Like thinking the soft and fuzzy man-bunned teacher was a phony. I feel like calling Teddy back downstairs to prove that I’m not actually crazy: Mr. Noah is not who he pretends to be.

“I’m sorry to hear you have such a troubled relationship,” I say, my voice dripping with empathy. “That can’t have been easy for you.”

Suddenly, they both fold over with laughter. “My dad?” Nick says. “I’m kidding! He’s the best guy ever. Obviously!”

Phoebe nods her confirmation, then taps her heart with her paws. “A total sweetheart.”

I’m so confused. I pull away from both of them, leaning as far back on the couch as I can, hugging the dog in front of me like a protective shield. Who are these awful people? How could I have been so stupid to invite them into my home?

“I love my dad,” Nick says. Suddenly there are tears in his eyes. His voice cracks. “He’s basically my best friend. He ruined everything for me because he made me think the world would be as accepting and loving as he is, and it’s not. It’s been a long, slow, rude awakening.” Phoebe puts her hoof-paw over his until he clears his throat and regains his composure. “So to answer your question,” he says with his hooves in the air as a signal that everything’s fine, “I pursued this art form because I was looking for a way to hide for a while. I was miserable after my parents’ divorce. I never felt like I fit in with other kids because no one else had a dad who was such a free spirit. And, I may have gone through a slight chubby phase.”