Caray, Caray!

Remedios helps the stricken and staggering Adolfo back to his room. He swears he's not crazy, Maite was really there! Remedios cradles his head and calms him.

Elvira and Magdalena are cooing over Veronica. Magda thanks Elvira for being so kind to them, especially the baby. Elvira is angling to be the godmother and agrees Veronica is adorable, that's why all the whores like to take care of her. Magda says most of them yes, Jacaranda not so much. Elvira says at heart Jacaranda's not a bad person. (So I guess this Jacaranda is about to give Magda some grief pretty soon.) Magda says one doesn't need the same blood to be like family, Elvira is her family. Elvira says, "I'm like the sister you never had." (Sister? She's pretty generous with herself, mother is more like it.)

Maite has made it outside the hacienda walls and thanks Remedios for helping her to see Valeria. Remedios says she'll do everything she can to help. Maybe she'll try to reach an agreement with Jacinta. (Another agreement, how dense can she be?) Maite says "There’s no talking to that woman." Then she goes into how perfect life would be if only Jacinta would give her the baby AND money for Valeria's education. She would even let Valeria visit with her grandma and dad, but Valeria would live with Maite. Remedios thinks that's a reasonable request and will help all she can. (What on earth makes them think Jacinta would agree to this?!?)

Next morning at breakfast Jacinta tells Adolfo she's going to send him to rehab if he doesn't get off the sauce. He insists Maite was there. Jacinta says it was alcohol and a hallucination. Seeing Maite has given Adolfo renewed vigor and he's determined to look for her because she's not a woman he can easily forget. Maybe he IS crazy, crazy for Maite. Jacinta, not happy to hear this, reminds him Maite was leaving him for another man and taking his daughter too. But Adolfo has decided... he's going to look for Maite!

In Victor's kitchen the cook tries to teach Maite a recipe, but all Maite can do is daydream sadly about Valeria. Victor comes in and sees her teary-eyed. "Why so sad? Are you tired?" He tenderly comforts her.

Back at the ranch Jacinta and Federico are hatching a plot. She says Adolfo plans to hire a private investigator (P.I.) and she wants Federico to help her. Naturally the obsequious little worm says he'll do anything she wants. They need to keep Adolfo from finding Maite, otherwise he might refuse to sign the divorce papers and she will re-enter their lives. She gives Federico the name of a P.I., but as far as Adolfo is concerned Federico will have found him and Jacinta knows nothing of it.

Maite, looking out the window, has another tearful flashback of her daughter. She thinks that all this sacrifice will be worth it to one day get Valeria back with her. Valeria is the only thing that gives Maite strength through the daily grind. (Someone said Maite is a better crier than Hippólita. I'm beginning to think Maite is the godmother of all criers.)

Adolfo and Federico talk about Maite. Federico says Adolfo had an alcoholic hallucination, why would Maite come to the hacienda? Adolfo says maybe to see her daughter. Federico tells Adolfo he is on his side, he'll help him find a P.I. in Aguascalientes, but don't keep talking about this to Jacinta because it sets her off. "Don't worry Adolfo, I'll take care of the P.I." Corazones arriba=Cheer up!

Later, in Aguascalientes, they "hire" Jacinta's minion, Sr. Rafael Cardoso to look for and find Maite. The P.I. wants a photo, names of friends and relatives. Federico volunteers to interrogate all the hacienda workers on the P.I.'s behalf because they all, both inside and outside the house, have his confidence. The P.I. can tell him what questions to ask and Federico will take care of it. Since the P.I. is getting paid by both Jacinta and Adolfo, why should he actually do any work? So yeah, he thinks having Federico do all the legwork is a grand idea. Adolfo the lemming agrees.

In between all this P.I. business are several scenes of Victor and Maite, first he is doing her work for her, sweeping the floor because she's tired, then he has gone to the butcher to get the meat and ribs for tonight's special, pork ribs in white wine, he's going to teach her how to make it. They chatter happily as he tells her his recipes. Later in the gym he tells her how happy he is to have here there, what a big help she is to him. Because of her he doesn't have to worry. Maite says because of him she doesn't have to worry about where to sleep, to work or to eat. He says she still seems too sad. She says she misses her baby who is just turning one year old.

At the hacienda, Adolfo and Federico are whispering about visiting the P.I. early so Jacinta doesn't suspect, she walks in and tell Federico to put out his cigarette because she doesn't allow smoking, and by the way what were they whispering about? "Oh nothing, just the vineyards." Jacinta is on her way to Aguascalientes to visit the Sisters of the Adoration and she wants the cattle accounts ready on her return. Federico wants to go with her to buy some vineyard things for Adolfo. Jacinto agrees and says, No Smoking! As soon as she leaves, Federico lights up and says Jacinta will be less suspicious of them if he is obvious about going to Aguascalientes rather than trying to sneak around. Adolfo the lemming agrees.

In Aguascalientes Federico tells Jacinta that Adolfo doesn't suspect she is behind everything. Jacinta wants Federico to tell her everything that happens. They are with the P.I. who is trying to look more hoodlum-like in front of Jacinta. She hands him money and says "Here is what I promised you. Nobody is going to find Maite, nobody!"

Weeks later Adolfo is complaining to the P.I. that it has been weeks and no sign of Maite. Is she with Luis Antonio? The P.I. says his people are working on it, these things take time and no, she's not with Unibrow. He is concentrating on Mexico City, checking the restaurants because that's her background. She might be a cook. He tells Adolfo to be patient because his wife is going show up faster than he might imagine. (What does he mean by that?) Adolfo hands him a big wad of cash and says "This is only an advance."

In Ensenada Unibrow marries Nutria!! It's a bleak little wedding and she wears an unbecoming dress that makes her look like a sausage. His parents are thrilled that he has a good woman by his side and a mom for their grandsons. Nutria says they'll be happy because they have a lot in common. Such passion.

Jacinta gives Adolfo the divorce papers and tells him it's time to divorce Maite for abandoning him, time for him to be firm. He's firm all right, he tears up the papers and says he won't even think of divorcing Maite. Jacinta asks him doesn't he have any pride? No, he answers, what I have is shame for all I have done to her, and I won't rest until she forgives me!

At Manola's ranch she is going crazy because she can't bear the howls of her snot-nosed brat. (Her words, not mine.) Her maid is the one holding the child and seems more bothered by Manola's howling than the baby's. Gustavo calls Unibrow to consult on some calf vaccinations and he's simply thrilled to hear about the wedding. What a surprise, when can he meet the wife? Manola? Oh she's here with me and sends her congrats too. Manola is surprised to hear Unibrow got married. Headachy from being a mommy and wishing to stir up trouble, Manola angles for a little vacation, a small change of air. Gustavo takes the bait. He says he'll arrange a trip for Manola but unfortunately he can't come. Her wish is his command. He hopes she doesn't worry about him or the baby because they will be fine.

Surprise! Manola shows up in Ensenada to congratulate her dear friends personally. Nutria is glad to see her, too bad Gustavo couldn't come. Manola tells Nutria she'll be very happy by Unibrow's side, and she better be careful because there are women out there who might steal such a catch from her. Unibrow, not appreciating the comment, says Nutria never has to worry about that. (I'll bet in telenovelas when someone says "never" that means the "never" is about to happen.)

At the restaurant Maite tells her story to Victor, that she had a very bad experience with her husband, there was violence involved. Victor wonders why she married Adolfo if she loved another. Did Adolfo blackmail her? Maite tells him she loved Unibrow but there was a bad experience at the train station that started many things, she went to jail, Remedios got her out and she had to leave her daughter. That's why she needs money, to get Valeria and give her a good life. Victor tells Maite he wants her to know she can count on him and he doesn't expect anything in return.

In Ensenada Unibrow can't wait for Manola to leave but she keeps hanging around. Finally the phone rings and Nutria runs to answer. Manola has a secret to tell Unibrow, Maite ran away with another man and left her husband and daughter! This was about a year ago and nobody knows where she is. Nutria, standing behind Unibrow, overhears...

Elvira thinks Magda should tell the father of Valeria about his daughter, he has a right to know. Magda says Adolfo doesn't love her (Magda) and she doesn't want to cause problems in the marriage. Elvira says Veronica has the right to a better life (than being raised in a whorehouse? No kidding.) But Magda has decided to raise her alone. She will just step aside.

Jacinta is having a hissy fit and tells Federico that Adolfo tore up the divorce papers right in front of her face. Federico says Adolfo will never find Maite but Jacinta is still unhappy because "tiene pajaritos dando vueltas en su cabeza." (Little birds are flying circles in her head=she can't stop being worried about it.) Does Federico think that Maite was really in the house? Federico says no, because why would she go to Adolfo's room of all places?

In Ensenada the "happy" couple say goodbye to Manola. Nutria is pissed off. Manola smugly thinks "Perfect, think what you will, Luis Antonio is totally disillusioned with his little waitress. And furthermore, his wife knows very clearly that he still thinks about Maite."

Victor's kitchen is the cleanest and emptiest professional kitchen I have ever seen. I don't believe anyone has ever cooked there. He is upset and Maite wants to know what's up. His cook left with a toothache, followed by Oscar who was the ace up his sleeve. Now what is he going to do? Maite says she'll help him cook the meal, what's on the menu? Nothing much, just chanterelles, lobster, salad, mussels in parsley, escargot, spinach quiche and crème brulees. Maite says "All that rich food? I don't know to cook that stuff. What is all that stuff anyway? No matter, I'll help you. How many people?" "Only 60, I'll teach you, come one!"

In Ensenada Nutria is trying to talk to Unibrow but he keeps dreaming of Maite. When she calls him on it he admits he doesn't believe Maite did all those bad things, it sounds like another person, she must be innocent somehow. Nutria says she's sick of talking about Maite, why is he always talking about her? They should go to San Francisco.

Back in the kitchen Victor has just spoken to his friend Ricardo, aka Nacho, in Zacatecas. Maite mentions Zacatecas is only 2 hrs. away from Aguascalientes by car. Victor thinks of an excuse to send her out of the kitchen, calls Nacho, and arranges for him to pay a visit to Aguascalientes...

At this point Caray, Caray must ask all the ladies to sit down and grab a cool cloth. Are you ready? Good. Our hero Unibrow is daydreaming of better times, a time when he was sweetly serenading his love Maite, it is a song about her looking at him, and he is singing the song for us now in his dreams. (I wonder if this is an attempt to make Unibrow seem less, er...wooden shall we say, and more romantic?) He sings as sweetly as a toad in love, and he looks like one too. "You're not a bad person, Maite" he thinks, "I don't believe you left your daughter to run away with another man." (Of course that's exactly what she did, she just screwed up the plan.)

Adolfo is drinking again and wondering when Maite will return to him.

Federico tracks down Manola in San Diego and telephones her. She tells him she saw Unibrow and the wife yesterday and she's just like the little waitress (Maite). This really cracks Federico up. She adds that she told Unibrow that Maite abandoned her husband and kid a year ago. "You should have seen his face, it looked like someone threw a bucket of cold water on it." Federico wants to know why she's down there telling Unibrow about his ex-novia's exploits, is it simply to bother Unibrow or does she want to go to bed with him? Ick. She says it's her business. Anyway, it's evident that he doesn't love his wife, because when she mentioned the "little waitress" his reaction was incredible, the face of a man in love. Can you believe it? He still cares about his old love. Federico asks, "Why do you care? Are you trying to make me jealous or what?"

Unibrow's sons were playing in the park when all of a sudden their dog Pirate got sick and fell over. They are hysterical and want Nutria to help them take Pirate to dad's clinic. Unfortunately they have to wait in line because Goliath the black Lab got hit by a car, has internal bleeding, and needs surgery immediately. To make matters worse, I believe it is Unibrow's parents who have brought their friend Reina's dog, Goliath, to be saved by Unibrow. Choices must be made, his parents or his sons? Goliath or Pirate? Goliath has stopped breathing, but the boys say Pirate is dying, too. Unibrow tells them to put a cold towel on Pirate while he saves Goliath. His son dutifully starts to do this. Could we have a new vet in the family?

At Victor's restaurant he and Maite are cleaning up. Victor has a surpise for her; turns out he had his friend Nacho from Zacatecas visit Aguascalientes to secretly take pictures of Valeria's birthday party. He gives the photos to Maite so she can see how her baby is doing. Maite is grateful, cries, and caresses his shiny pate.

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