Summary

In Chapter 33, Malu notes that her mother is knitting. She has a lengthy scarf that she only works on when she is upset. Magaly says she knits to stay calm. Malu points out that it is “just hair,” and Magaly says Michael would agree. Magaly says that Malu has to walk Senora Oralia to the Fall Festiva. Magaly will try to get there if she finishes grading papers in time. While Magaly is critical of Malu's hairstyle, Senora Oralia is curious. She seems to want to know what prompted Malu to make the change. She says, “if you're happy and you aren't hurting anyone, who cares?” (282). She makes the comparison to the quetzal which pleases Malu, then says she would have chosen purple rather than green.

In Chapter 34, Selena notes Malu's hair and asks if she fell “into some toxic sludge” (285). Malu counters...