It’s not picnic weather Malcolm reminded him He pulled the collar of his jacket up around his neck The October air had a biting chill It was going to be an especially cold Halloween Dandy’s jacket was about two sizes too big When he pulled his collar up his head disappeared Malcolm unzipped it a little so Dandy could breathe You look like a turtle Malcolm said Dandy zipped it up again I’m not a turtle Mail Carrier Nancy is She’s the slowpoke He shoved his hands in his pockets and dug his toe deeper in between the squeaky boards Malcolm cringed The only thing worse than that squeak was Cocoa practicing her choir solo Her high notes could make your ears bleed
Would you stop that Malcolm said It’s giving me chills Are you sure it’s me Dandy wondered I have chills too but it’s because it’s freezing out here My spit tastes like ice water More squeaking Stop it Dandy It’s not me The noise grew louder Just then Mail Carrier Nancy turned the corner She was dragging her squeaky mail cart behind her Cheep-cheep-cheep-cheep Malcolm didn’t mind that noise at all He popped up off the porch and eagerly stood waiting for her Daddy hopped up too Almost His sneaker was wedged tight between the
boards Splat He fell right onto the sidewalk Are you okay Malcolm asked Dandy didn’t answer He just pointed back at his foot jammed tight in the steps Malcolm reached over and grabbed Dandy’s ankle He braced himself and pulled and tugged and yanked and whoop Dandy’s foot popped free But just his foot His sneaker was still stuck in the steps Dandy are you okay Malcolm asked again rolling his friend over Malcolm expected to see scrapes and scratches and a bloody nose But all he saw was jacket He unzipped it enough to uncover Dandy’s face
