Cocoa kicked her foot The pancake flew across the room and stuck to the wall just above the toaster oven Malcolm was glad that both eyes were open for that trick but he noticed that his father stayed hidden behind his newspaper Dad had mastered the art of staying out of drama What’s the problem Cocoa Mom asked Cocoa stood there in her pink-and-red striped T-shirt and puke-green pants Her shoes looked like someone had glued plastic rhinestones to mildewed gym sneakers Well one of the sneakers looked like that The other now had the added pizzazz of whole wheat pancake batter I’ll tell you the problem she said This She pushed back her frizzy bangs Part of her left eyebrow was missing
Malcolm fell off his chair laughing Oh dear Mom exclaimed Dad glanced over his newspaper then went back to reading Grandma Eunice rolled up for a better look I guess that makes us even she said You have half an eyebrow I have half a pancake What happened Mom asked I was waxing my eyebrows when a bunch of the hot wax spilled across my forehead I tried to wipe it off with a rag but the rag stuck It ripped off part of my brow It’ll grow back Mom said Cocoa stomped her pancake-battered foot That could take weeks I can’t go out looking like this I’m hideous
Actually I think it’s an improvement Malcolm said Cocoa batted the back of his head with her hand Ouch Mom she hit me Mom did her usual eye roll Cut it out both of you What will become of me Cocoa cried I’ll be forced to stay in I’ll have to be homeschooled No more dances pep rallies or voice lessons Actually Malcolm interjected that last one is a good thing He ducked before the next swat landed on the back of his head Mom put her arm around Cocoa’s shoulders and stroked her bushy hair You won’t become a shut-in she assured
