The Side Effects of You Read Free Page A

tell me that you are going to stay someplace I don’t permit, go and don’t come back to this place,” I said, pointing to my own chest. My eyes welled up. I had done all I could for her, but I had to let go, because I was tired of battling with her.
    â€œFine!” she yelled and stormed back inside the apartment. I assumed she had gone back for more of her things, but I no longer had the fight in me to argue.
    I sighed and went into my office. I was fortunate to have my job. When José got locked up, we lost our house. I had worked my way up from housekeeping to general manager at the hotel where I worked, and God had stepped in and blessed me with a job that gave us a free place to live. My two daughters and I lived in the spacious manager’s quarters at the hotel. After sixteen years of hard work, I had done something on my own, and I didn’t want any more stress or heartache.
    Ana had graduated from high school, by the grace of God, and was a couple of months from her eighteenth birthday. I had had her when I was fourteen, and after all the hard years, I was still here, doing my best. I just had to let go.
    After twenty minutes, she came down with a packed bag.
    â€œMama, I’m sorry, but it’s time for me to go.”
    â€œGood luck, child. Que Dios te bendiga ,” I said, giving her my blessing. I couldn’t hold on to her anymore.
    â€œBye.” She sniffled, and then she was gone.
    I dried my eyes and asked God to strengthen me. I loved my baby girl, but she and I bumped heads, and she needed to get a dose of reality.
    After I finished my shift, I sat and ate with Angelica and explained that Ana was moving out. She was fifteen and smart, so she didn’t have a lot of questions.
    Not tired, I decided to shower and go out for a drink. I went to a restaurant that my girlfriend Samantha owned not far from my hotel, but I was shocked when I laid eyes on her. She looked like a new person. Her makeover had made her look amazing, like a brand new person.
    â€œOh, chica , you look fabulous. What happened to the bun?” I said.
    â€œI needed a change.”
    â€œWell, you look beautiful. I mean, you don’t look like you at all.”
    Raising a brow at my words, she said, “Gee, thanks.”
    â€œNo, no, I don’t mean it in a bad way. I always thought that you were attractive, chica , but now you are hot.”
    She came around from behind the bar and sat next to me on a vacant stool.
    â€œWell, I went to the salon today and just went for it. I feel good.”
    â€œYou should, because you look good,” I said.
    â€œOh, there is Andrea.” She waved a woman over. “She is responsible for this makeover.”
    â€œMaybe she can hook me up too, ya know?” I had a heavy Spanish accent, even though I had been in the United States for years. I still spoke Spanish on a daily basis to my Spanish-speaking staff and my family.
    â€œCome join us,” Samantha said. “I’m not working tonight. I’m relaxing.”
    â€œAre you sure, Samantha? I don’t want to impose.”
    â€œCome on, Josie. You’re not imposing.”
    We grabbed a table. When Andrea made her way over to the table, Samantha introduced us.
    â€œJosie, this is Andrea. Andrea, this is my friend Josie.”
    â€œNice to meet you.” I smiled.
    â€œYou too.”
    â€œCan you make me look like Sam?” I blurted. I wanted a makeover too.
    Andrea nodded. “I certainly can. She looks amazing, doesn’t she?”
    â€œOh yes. I could hardly recognize her,” I said.
    The three of us engaged in nonstop conversation. We got acquainted with Andrea, and I learned some new things about Samantha. I ate at her restaurant often, and she sent business my way, but we had never had an actual sit-down meal together. We drank and ate a lot. I could walk to my hotel afterward, but since Andrea and Sam had to drive home, we ordered coffee to