Superheroes Don't Eat Veggie Burgers Read Online Free Page B

buster.”
    This is the part I don’t understand. Why is it that she’s allowed to stand at the top of the staircase and holler for me, but when I do it, I get the don’t-you-dare-yell-at-me-like-that speech?
    Maybe I should try it on her.
    Hey, Mom! I’d call out. I’m sitting on my butt watching Cyclops try not to get annihilated by Apocalypse, so if you have something to say, you’re gonna have to come down here and say it to my face.
    Yeah, right.
    I aim the remote at the screen and flop back on the cushions, thinking about what Mr. P said, how words can be powerful and that if I believed in their magic, anything could happen.
    Anything? I wonder.
    â€œCharlie!” Lucy’s voice bellows down the stairs. “Mom says now!”
    I sigh and drag myself off the couch. Who am I kidding? I don’t even have power over my bratty kid sister.
    *   *   *
    Upstairs, three sets of brown eyes stare at me.
    My mom stands in the kitchen doorway, flanked by my sisters.
    I point at Lucy. “She started it.”
    My mom peers over her glasses, her thumbs hooked in her belt loops. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
    I scratch my head, which still feels full of sleep.
    â€œI’m not kidding around, young man.”
    Here’s the thing about my mom—she never kids around. I don’t know if it’s because she’s a cop or a mom, but this lady is an expert interrogator.
    â€œI didn’t really walk barefoot through Mr. Everson’s yard,” I say. “I just wanted her to leave me alone.”
    My mom raises her eyebrow. “What does that have to do with the festival?”
    I sneak a peek at Stella, hoping she’ll give me a clue as to what’s going on.
    â€œThe fall festival, Charlie,” Stella says, poking me. “It’s in a week. We really need more participation this year, and you promised you’d talk it up with the other sixth graders, remember?”
    Right. Like that’s something I’m going to keep in my frontal cortex.
    â€œOh yeah, about that…” I reach for a powdered doughnut, but my mom shakes her head.
    â€œYou already had Froot Loops. I saw the bowl in the sink,” she says. Jeez, this lady doesn’t miss a beat. “If you’re going to this festival thing, you’ll need a haircut. And a decent shirt.” She looks me up and down like I’m in a lineup. “I mean really, Charlie. You’re in middle school now. It’s time to put a little more effort into your appearance.”
    â€œAww, Mom, my appearance is fine. And my hair is—”
    She wags her finger. “Just a trim. If we leave soon, we’ll have time to get to the mall and back before Lucy’s soccer practice.”
    The mall? Surely, she’s joking.
    â€œIt’s my first practice with the academy,” Lucy singsongs, twirling around the kitchen.
    â€œMom, Franki and I have plans today.”
    â€œWell, can’t you reschedule for tomorrow? This is my only day off this week, and I want to spend it with my children.” She turns toward the sink. “Is that too much to ask?”
    Lucy hugs her around the waist. “I love spending time with you.”
    â€œSuck-up,” I mutter.
    â€œMom!” Lucy’s shriek makes my eyes water. “Did you hear what he just said?”
    â€œKnock it off, both of you.” My mom sighs and swipes white doughnut powder off the countertop. “And, Charlie? Could you put on a different shirt? It looks like you slept in that one.”
    She leaves the kitchen, and Stella trails behind her, pleading her case for why she needs a new pair of skinny jeans. I glance at Lucy, who swipes another doughnut while nobody’s looking.
    Groaning, I slink toward the laundry room, knowing Dude would never get roped in to spending a Saturday at the mall.
    *   *   *
    Three hours, five stores, and one