No Second Chances Read Online Free

before-and-after pictures. After you get all skinny, of course.”
    â€œSantiago,” Fabi cried out and threw a dirty rag, the one she used to wipe spills and tables with. It hit him on the cheek.
    â€œFine.” He raised his arms in a surrendering gesture. “You can be the after and we’ll Photoshop some rolls —” Fabi punched him onthe shoulder. Why were the women in his family so violent, he thought, rubbing his forearm. “I was just kidding. But seriously, Grandpa has tons of nutritious fruits and stuff. I was thinking we could run a juice bar? It’s healthy, makes you slim, and tastes good. The best part is that customers don’t have to do anything. No work-outs. No giving up your favorite foods. They don’t even have to chew.” He pulled out a straw with the flourish of a magician. “They just suck.”
    â€œMaybe,” Fabi said in a soft voice. By the look on her face, Santiago could tell she was letting the idea marinate in her head. Even though he had a couple of other ideas in the works, the juice bar was his five-star money-making plan.
    The front door opened, triggering a bell chime. It was a couple of large professional women. He noticed that each of them held a brown paper bag, possibly from the “ Aquí Es ” store down the street. Santiago watched as Fabi handed them menus and took their orders.His eyes lingered as they peered at the entire menu and turned it over as if they couldn’t find what they were looking for. Fabi wrote down their orders and headed to the kitchen. On her way back, Santiago stopped her.
    â€œHey, what did they order?”
    â€œThey’re sharing a chicken fajita order.”
    â€œI knew it!”
    Fabi gave him a curious glance.
    â€œObviously, they wanted something healthy but small. Imagine their reaction when we offer small healthy meals in a cup.” He shook his head in anticipation. “I’m telling you, Fabi, we could be rich.”
    Fabi stared. She wasn’t quite sure what had gotten into her cousin. For as long as she could remember, Santiago was always planning get-rich-quick schemes. But she had to admit she liked the idea of having a business at la pulga. The flea market held many fond childhood memories: delicious food, cool stuff to buy, and a festival-like atmosphere. And she coulddefinitely use the extra money. A small smile danced on her lips. She could have full control over the menu. Maybe if her dad saw that vegetarian dishes could be successful, he’d let her introduce new items to the restaurant. However, Santiago did have a knack for getting into trouble. But a small stand at the flea market sounded safe enough. What could go wrong?

S omething shook Santiago’s leg abruptly, jerking him out of a blissful dream filled with pretty girls, warm splashing water, and wet T-shirts. His eyes opened just a slit. It was dark outside. A rooster called out an early morning greeting. He rolled over, nestling back into the warm fluffy comforter, and tried to get back to his dream. His leg shook again.
    â€œLet me sleep,” he groaned.
    â€œNot in my house,” Abuelita Alpha said. Her gruff tone made his eyes spring wide open.
    Suddenly, his blanket was yanked off his body. A burst of cold air struck him, making his arms and legs shiver with goose bumps. Santiago tried to retrieve the blanket, but it was gone, leaving him vulnerable to the elements. He curled his body into a ball and grabbed a couple of throw pillows to use for protection.
    â€œTime to get up,” snapped Alpha. She’d rolled the thick blanket in her arms like a burrito. “ Viejo ,” Abuelita Alpha called out to her husband, Grandpa Frank. “See, now that’s how you wake up the kid.”
    â€œCome on, Abuelita,” Santiago begged, hoping for a little consideration. “Just five more minutes and I promise I’ll be up.” When Abuelita didn’t respond, he