Bad Influence

I read the story Bad Influence written by Judith Ortiz Cofer. It was about a girl name Rita and and and her best friend Meli. They both always told their parents that they were sleeping at each other's house, while they really went to a boy name Joey's house home and slept there. Another boy name Johnny was there too. Then one day Meli's mother got an heartburn; she thought it was an heart attack, so Meli's mother called Rita's house for Meli. And, Rita's mother said that Meli wasn't home. I knew the feelings the mothers had right now, they were very scared. They didn't know where Meli or Rita was.

After that, they were found at the boy's home, Rita was given two choices to go to Puerto Rico (she is from Puerto Rico)- to visit her grandparent's house or go to a Catholic girls' retreat. Rita choose to go to her grandparent's house. She didn't want to go anywhere, but she choose to go to visit her grandparents. She only sees them once a year.

So when she went to their house, her grandmother thought she had asthma. She also gave her coffee and told her to drink it while it's warm.

I remember going to one of my friend's house, she's from Virginia- moved to VA from Puerto Rico. I went to her house one day last Feburary (2008). Her family were a very caring family and when I went to their house- they were always offering me food. I ate when I was hungry, but there were times they would ask me if I wanted food again and again. I kept on saying, no thanks, I am not hungry. And, I was really not hungry, they asked me like every 2 hours do you want food. So, I did eat too much that that weekend I was at her house, and became sick because I wasn't used to eating that much. And, her mother was like- sorry. I said no, it's ok. I felt bad that I got sick at their house. It was awful, but her family was very nice. And, one day her family came to VA from Puerto Rico to celebrate my friend's 15 birthday. It was my first experience. It was very interesting, she was becoming a woman and got her first glass high heels from her father.

Anyways, Rita went for a long walk to the beach with her cousin. Rita thought the beach was beautiful. She met Angela at the beach, and her grandfather invited Angela for dinner. Angela and Rita talked in Rita's room, and they agreed to visit each other as much as possible. Rita told Angela about Johnny Ruiz even if she hasn't thought about him for a while. Then, Rita said "mala influencia?" Mala influencia is a Spanish word for Bad Influence, and it was used in the story many times- so my assumption is that's why the story was called Bad Influence.

At the end of the story, Rita's mother told Rita that her friend Meli went to the retreat and she loved it. Rita didn't want her mother to think her "vacation" was fun. It was supposed to be a "punishment." But, it is a good thing she went to visit her grandparents. It is important to visit your family, even if you think it will be boring. It is worth it, your grandparents will appreciate it too! I used to like sleeping at my grandparent's house all the time, and I sometimes regret not spending the night there. But, important I go out for a lunch or dinner with my grandma to her favorite place, Chinese restaurant.

But the point is, that Rita and Mela enjoyed their punishment. That is funny in someway! =D Mela liked the retreat, and and won't be at Central High with Rita. I guess that is the "punishment" for Rita because they are the ones who went to the boys house in the first place- that caused Meli to go to the girls retreat, and she liked it and now won't be going to school with Rita. But, Meli and Rita still will get together in September!