The Side Effects of You Read Free

good God, so whatever it is that has happened to you, you still thank Him for life. If it’s not terminal, you praise Him for that. It’s not over until they bury you six feet under, so you ask God to send you someone who can deal or cope with your imperfections. It didn’t end for you with your ex. Do you hear me?” she said.
    I smiled and nodded. “Yes. I guess you are right.”
    â€œCome on, gorgeous. Look at you. You are what? Five-seven? With long, beautiful legs. And you’re slim, and you got junk back there. Your hair is banging. You are a ten. Someone will love you again. This, I know.”
    I stood and looked in the mirror, admiring myself. “I do look good, don’t I?”
    â€œYou do, so go home, put on something sexy, and just enjoy you. I mean, that’s what I’d do if I was single.”
    â€œHey, it’s early. I have a restaurant. I’d love it if you’d join me tonight. I just want to celebrate my new look. I mean, if you don’t have plans.”
    â€œI’d love to.” Andrea smiled.
    I gave her the address of the restaurant and then headed out. I climbed in my car and checked my rearview mirror five times before I pulled off. I was gorgeous and could attract any man with my new look, but who’d want me? I was a walking infection.

Chapter Three
    Josephina Ramirez
    Looking up from the front desk when I heard my apartment door shut, I caught a glimpse of Ana, my eldest, trying to breeze by without me seeing her outfit.
    â€œI’m sorry. Can you hold please?” I put the caller on hold before he agreed to be placed on hold. “Hold it. Where are your clothes? What the hell are you wearing?” I asked my teen.
    â€œMom, it’s the latest style. I don’t want to go out looking like a nerd. Enriquez is going to be there.”
    â€œI don’t care who is going to be there, Ana. You go and put some real pants on, and not those see-through tights. And that fake belly ring needs to be thrown out. Have some self-respect. You’re only seventeen,” I griped.
    â€œAnd soon I’ll be eighteen and won’t have to listen to you,” she snapped back.
    â€œAnd then you can get out of mi casa . Now, go and change, or you will stay home!” I ordered.
    My oldest daughter was a pain in my bottom. She was driving me crazy. I was a single mother of two now, because my husband—well, now my ex-husband—was in prison for doing every illegal thing under the sun that you could name. I just prayed my youngest daughter, Angelica, didn’t follow in her big sister’s footsteps. Ever since her daddy went to prison, Ana had been flipping out on me, and I was at my wit’s end.
    I remembered then that I had someone on hold.
    â€œI am so sorry, sir. Thanks for holding. How can I help you?”
    I took care of my guest and then waited for Ana to come back down. When she did, she had changed clothes, but she had a bigger bag than the last time.
    â€œYou must think I’m stupid or something. What’s in that bag, Ana?”
    â€œClothes. I’ve decided I’ll stay with Enriquez tonight.”
    I thought my Puerto Rican ears were playing tricks on me, because I knew damn well my underage kid didn’t just tell me she had decided she’d stay at her boyfriend’s house.
    â€œQué?”
    â€œI’m going to stay at Enriquez’s, Mom, and you can’t stop me.”
    â€œAna, estas loca?”
    â€œNo, Mama, I haven’t lost my mind. I need a break from this place, and I’m tired of being here. Why can’t I just live my life?”
    My heart was broken, and I was saddened. I only did what I thought was best for my girls, but Ana was out of control, and I was tired. “Ana, I’m tired. If you wanna go, go, but don’t come back. I will not have a disobedient child who doesn’t respect me in my house, so if you think you are grown enough to