Caray, Caray!

The plot thickens, as we return to Acapulco Vice…

“You’re interested in her!

Aldo sexily half smiles back at Carolina and giggles. Caro catches on that she spoke with reason and Aldo really did invite her so she would bring Lety. Aldo confirms to Carolina that Lety really made an impression on him. Carolina marvels that her Lety, who is convinced that she is the ugliest woman in the universe, has made a man like Aldo fall in love with her. Aldo corrects Caro and says that Lety made an impression, but that’s not to say that he is in love. There’s just something very attractive about her. Carolina replies that he makes sense, Lety is a charmer. Aldo replies that he thinks any human being with just a little sense would be fascinated to know a person so innocent, who has been so hurt by life. Caro confirms that Lety is both fragile and innocent. Caro says what surprises her is that during all the time they’ve known each other, she’s never known him to be so taken by anyone. She admits that they’ve only known each other about a year and a half, but Aldo has been a loner that whole time.

Marcia enters Fernando’s office and wants to know if Lety is showing up tomorrow for the meeting.. He tells Marcia that Lety is not in Mexico City. Marcia gets really upset. She asks Fernando how he can be so tranquil even though Lety will not appear. Fernando replies that he is not calm; a representative will appear tomorrow. Marcia wants to know why a representative of the company will be coming. Fernando says he has no idea. Marcia changes the subject and asks Fernando what happened between him and Lety. Did her hurt her so much that she decided to flee? Fernando tries to change the subject back to the company and says that Lety left the letter thinking that this would be sufficient to return the company, and then she left on a trip. Marcia says she hopes that Lety didn’t leave thinking she could get back at Fernando via the company. Fernando says that Lety is not capable of something like that. Marcia comments that it’s interesting how Fernando has so much confidence in that woman even though she betrayed him. She says she understands why Lety fell in love with Fernando, but asks what happened with him. Marcia asks Fernando if he fell in love with Lety. Fernando replies that he does not want to talk about that with Marcia. Marcia flips out. She waited three years; she almost married him; the least he can do is give her an explanation. She demands to know if Fernando fell in love with Lety and if he is still in love with Lety. Fernando doesn’t reply. Marcia asks him if she should interpret his silence as an affirmative answer. Fernando half nods and stares at his desk. Marcia sinks in a chair and quietly asks the question again out of disbelief. Fernando replies with a simple “Yes, Marcia.”

Back on the yacht Caro asks Lety how she feels. Lety responds that she feels better. Aldo brings out some yummy looking food. It’s lobster. Aldo asks Lety what she thinks the lobsters would say if they could speak. Caro feels left out of the joke. Lety explains the story about Aldo looking for her glasses and coming back with some lobsters. Aldo says these are the same lobsters prepared to accentuate their exquisite flavor. Caro has the two confirm that this from when Aldo saved Lety from the wave. They confirm and Aldo says that these lobsters had their history. They were witnesses of an important moment. Lety takes a bite of the food. She mmmm’s and tells Aldo that the food is really delicious. Aldo replies that he used a special recipe that one day he may reveal to Lety. Lety says that Aldo cooks as well as her mother; the only difference is that Aldo’s food is from the ocean and her mother’s is not because in Puebla there is no sea. Aldo grabs Lety’s hand and asks if this means that Lety feels much better. Lety confirms and peeks at their hands.

Marcia cannot believe that Fernando has the nerve to accept his own love for a woman like Lety. She says that she doesn’t know how, but Fernando will pay in hell. She raises her hand but no teacher is there to call on her (not that any would care to). Fernando softly says her name. She turns and then storms out the office. Fernando says to himself that he understands that he must pay, that he is paying right now.

Aldo teaches Lety how to test wine. She holds it in her mouth. He laughs and tells her to swallow. She tells him that it is very good. He pours her a full glass for a toast. He tells Caro and Lety that he’s been privileged by sharing this dinner with two beautiful ladies. Lety says there is only one beauty. Aldo responds that he sees two. Aldo says that he understands because Lety can only see Caro and not herself. He makes a toast to the gift of life, to the ocean and to the moon. Lety also toasts because she feels that this night she will be able to enjoy life. Aldo corrects her when she calls him Don Aldo. Carolina says that the pain they have is not important. What is important is the capacity to begin anew. Aldo agrees. He says that they should toast to the beginning to a great friendship. Cue Humphrey Bogart!

Lety finishes off another glass of wine and drunkenly proclaims that she is very, very happy. She’s happy to enjoy the bay, the dinner, the morning, the night, the stars and the company of course! Caro tells Lety that with Aldo, there will be surprise after surprise. Lety praises Aldo for being terrific. Lety has Aldo pour her another glass of wine. She goes on about all of Aldo’s good qualities, like knowing how to swim so well. She saddens a little and says that he has a freedom that she will never achieve. She has pain that she won’t be able to rise above. “Because he lied to me.” she cries out.

Irmita talks to the cuartel about how her daughter Rebeca cried when she found out about her father. Sara asks if the Rebeca will come to the house. Irmita replies that she’s coming tomorrow. At this painful situation with Rafael will allow her to get to know her granddaughter who is eleven years old. Martha says that Irmita will have to be content with this. Irmita wisely replies that shared pain weighs less. Juana asks if Irmita’s son will be coming as well. Irmita tells Juana that her son, Jorge, did not want to hear anything about his father. Luigi tells Irmita that he must talk to her son because this is not about the dying father, but about the mother who needs her son with her. Luigi’s phone rings. Saimon answers. He tells Irmita that it’s her neighbor and that Rafael is really bad and she should return quickly to her house. Irmita prays to the virgin for strength. PM replies that Irmita’s friends will give her strength. Luigi suggests they hurry to Irmita’s home.

Lety tells Caro and Aldo to promise that they will never lie to her. They both promise. Aldo says that he quit lying to himself and because of this he could never lie to anyone else. Lety doesn’t want to think about lying to herself, because she’s very happy. She thanks Carolina again for bringing her to Acapulco. Caro says there’s no reason to thank her. Lety asks for more wine. Aldo says they can change the wine and walks back into the cabin. Lety and Caro joke about the “wine of happiness.”

Tomas prepares for his meeting tomorrow. He explains to Julieta that he’s going to take all of the papers and the archives. Erasmo comes down to complain about the flip flops Julieta gave him. They only lasted three years! He demands to know why Tomas is in his house. He also asks what are the papers that Tomas holds.

Lety asks Caro how she can say that she and Lety have anything in common. Caro that all three of them are very much loners. Lety says that’s not possible that Caro nor Aldo are loners. Caro says that Aldo is almost like a hermit. Aldo says that he does prefer the company of the ocean. Caro says that for that reason they are all in the club of loners. Lety says that not only is she in the club of the loners, but also in the club of ugly women. Lety says that Caro is very social in any environment, like a fish in water. Aldo says that Lety has reason, he could not consider Carolina a loner. Caro tells them that she comes home alone everyday wishing for children. Aldo says that Caro can have a child whenever she wants. She replies that she has not been able to produce a child. Her work is an obsession for her. It’s destroyed three marriages.

The cuartel enter Irmita’s house. Irmita asks them to stay in the living room and then she makes a beeline for her bedroom. The cuartel talk about how they feel bad for Irmita and the fact that her son does not want to come and see his father. Lola talks about men and how they lack sensibility. Saimon protests and turns to Luigi for support. Luigi doesn’t answer but PM confirms that her man has a lot of sensibility. The cuartel shush each other. Juana says that Irmita’s son carries resentment because his father abandoned him. Luigi says that no matter what the son should be there, with his mother who is suffering so much. Sara absolutely agrees. Luigi grabs Irmita’s purse and leaves the room. Martha says that her intestines are groaning and making noise, insinuating that she’s hungry. Sara shushes her.

Aldo cannot believe that Caro married three times. Caro says that they were all very short marriages, because of work. Lety says that Aldo speaks with reason because Caro could become a mother whenever she wants. Caro replies that she lacks a significant other. Lety drunkenly laughs. Caro stares off into the sky and takes a sip of wine. Lety tells Caro that she’s very special, intelligent, beautiful and above all, a good person. Caro thanks Lety and says that at times she still feels empty, like she lacks that which is most important in life. Lety agrees that Caro lacks a boyfriend and a family, but she has a friend! Lety turns to Aldo and asks him if he has children. “Yes, I have two,” he replies.

Julieta tells Erasmo that Tomas is preparing some papers for his meeting tomorrow. Erasmo doesn’t understand because he thought that Lety took care of this before she left Conceptos. Tomas explains that Lety just forgot to take some papers and that he’s going to take them tomorrow. Erasmo asks if these papers are the reason that Fernando is so desperately looking for Lety. Tomas calls Erasmo brilliant, a brilliant brute. Erasmo asks the “parasite” what it is that he’s saying. Tomas tries to calm Erasmo. Tomas says he will take care of everything while Lety is gone. He says that Erasmo should put on his flip flops. Erasmo spits out some insults at Tomas. Tomas leaves. Erasmo goes on how the youth don’t have any respect or morals.

Lety whispers to Carolina that she didn’t know that Aldo had two children. When Aldo approaches the table, Caro asks him to explain to her about his children. Aldo says that one of his children is his book, “The Flavor of Life.” This book has a special story with old recipes from different parts of the world. It tries to unite all the elements of nature. Aldo says that he wants everyone to know that the best ingredient in all dishes is love. (Excuse me, my gag reflex just flared…Okay, I’m back.) Lety asks about his other child. He says that his other child is a chain of restaurants based off of “The Flavor of Life.” Lety says she wants to read Aldo a thought about love for his book. She searches her bag. She pulls a few things out of her purse, one of which is the photo of Fernando. Aldo immediately guesses who is in the photo. Lety asks for it back and says that she does not feel good. She asks to return to the hotel.

Back at Conceptos Fernando stares at the same picture. He asks the photo how long he will be like this.

Irmita wants to take Rafael to the hospital. He says he doesn’t want her to spend her money for a hopeless cause. She replies that she’ll bring a doctor to the house. Rafael does not want this either. She cannot believe he’s still so stubborn. Irmita wants to know why he did not tell her how sick he was. He replies that he wanted her forgiveness, not her compassion. He mutters that he regrets abandoning his children. Irmita says she’ll make a chicken soup for Rafael. It will help recuperate some strength; she has a surprise for him. She thinks to herself that their daughter, Rebeca, will be coming to see him.

Luigi calls Jorge from his cell phone. Luigi says he’s calling to plead with him to come to Mexico City. He tells Jorge not to interrupt and not to be rude. Luigi says he’s going to intrude as he wants, because Irmita is like family to him. Luigi tells Jorge not to come for Rafael, but for his mother. She needs him a lot right now. Jorge hangs up on Luigi. Irmita enters and asks Luigi what he’s doing with her purse and diary.

Caro, Aldo and Lety pull up to the hotel in Acapulco. Aldo helps Lety out of the car. She thanks him, apologizes and shakes his hand. Caro says that it still hurts Lety, all that happened. Aldo says he understands that type of suffering. Caro asks Aldo if he wants her to take him home. He replies that he has a vehicle. Aldo pulls out a bike. He talks about all the advantages of a bike. Caro thanks him for the dinner and everything else. They say goodbye. Aldo rides away toward the beach.

Luigi says that he found the diary in her purse and that he immediately needed Ricky Armstrong’s number and he didn’t want to bother Irmita. Irmita knowingly looks at Luigi who quickly asks how Rafael is doing.

Caro chases Lety. Caro says she needs to talk with Lety. Lety tells Caro that she wants to rest. Caro replies that she cannot leave Lety in this state. Lety says that she’s fine and that Caro shouldn’t worry about her. Caro replies that she can see that Lety is not okay. Lety says she cannot continue. Caro asks if Lety would like to talk before resigning. Caro takes Lety to the bar so they can talk. In the bar, Lety asks for a water and Caro asks for a double tequila. Caro asks Lety about what happened. Lety says she was very good and very happy, and then that photo appeared. That photo brought her back to reality and the pain that Lety is feeling. It’s like a sword in her heart that hurts and there is no way to recuperate. Caro says that she knows part of the story, but she needs to know all of it in order to help Lety. Lety agrees to tell Caro the whole story.

Irmita thanks the cuartel and Luigi for being with her. She asks them to go home, because it’s late and everyone has to work tomorrow. Luigi insists on staying. Irmita wants him to leave because he did not rest at all the night before. He negates and says he’s staying until the end. Juana says she’s staying as well. Luigi doesn’t want her to stay. Sara says she’s staying to. Saimon says he’ll take PM home on his moto. Luigi walks everyone out, because he wants to make sure that they really leave.

Caro says she never imagined all that happened. Lety says that now she’s told everything to Caro she feels a little more tranquil. Caro says that this does not exempt Lety from fault. Lety says she knows. Caro asks Lety if she understands that she did something wrong. Lety effusively confirms. Caro replies that only when one accepts her errors, can she better herself. She asks Lety to give Acapulco another opportunity. Caro says she’s sure that Lety can move on. She reminds Lety about the laughter back on the yacht. Lety says that was all a dream, she woke up the same ugly woman as always.

Fernando wanders around his office, remembering Lety’s laughter. Meanwhile, Aldo sits outside his house and remembers the same laughter.

In real life Lety is not laughing. She says that she continues in her clothes as the same person as always. Caro thinks that Lety wants to destroy herself. Caro says that she cannot believe that such a responsible, valorous woman could be so weak in her personal life. She tells Lety that she must accept that her life is changing. Lety must give this change a chance. Caro says that Lety is really a marvelous woman. “Marvelous, me?” Lety asks. She tells Caro not to drink any more tequila. Caro asks Lety to give her one more chance. Caro says she has a surprise for Lety that she will like. Caro asks Lety where her insecurity is. Lety replies that it’s everywhere. Caro says that, no, it’s inside Lety’s imagination. Lety says she sees it every time she looks in a mirror. Caro says that mirrors lie. They’re going to make the mirror reflect Lety’s true image – the beautiful woman inside. Lety cries, thanks Caro and they toast (with water).

Lety draws with her feet in the sand. Cue the kazoos! Lety sees miss Puebla running along the beach and imagines that it’s her (Lety). Miss Puebla waives and passes Lety. From the opposite direction, Aldo approaches and greets Lety. He asks Lety to go running with him. Lety says she’s never exercised in her life. Aldo asks if Lety has ever heard the phrase “healthy body, healthy mind.” Lety says she’s developed her mind, but not her body for obvious reasons. Aldo says that Lety needs to be more optimistic and happy. Lety asks if exercise can cure the soul’s pain. Aldo assures her that if she has a healthy soul, it will be reflected in her body. Lety laughs and says if the body reflects the soul she can just imagine what her soul looks like. Aldo tells Lety that everything is relative. Something she might find ugly, he might find very beautiful. Lety runs off to go change and then decides to run in her dress. Aldo follows.

Irmita tells Sara, Juana and Luigi that she’s worried that her daughter won’t arrive in time to see her father because he’s getting worse. Luigi and the girls try to reassure Irmita and tell her to have faith that her daughter will arrive.

Lety and Aldo clumsily run along the beach (more Lety than Aldo). Lety almost keels over from the exercise. Aldo tries to help her breathe. Lety talks about how pretty the ocean is in that spot. She asks him where he brought her. Aldo tells her that this a spot where the salt water meets with freshwater. These two waters kiss in a kiss that last for a lifetime.

Irmita once again asks the girls to leave, because it’s almost time to go to work. Luigi says that the girls don’t need to worry about getting ready. They both kiss Luigi good-bye. Luigi doesn’t like the kisses and says it’s a good thing they’re leaving because their mere presence makes Irmita’s pretty house turn ugly. Sara plays along and says it’s a good thing he makes all things beautiful. Irmita starts to tell Luigi that he should… He finishes her sentence by saying that he should stay with Irmita. He doesn’t want death to come and take Irmita as well.

Lety and Aldo continue to talk about the ocean. He talks about the waves and how they’re all different and yet all are very beautiful. They’re the music of nature. Lety tells Aldo about her tiny cave at Conceptos, where she never saw the sun. Lety tells Aldo that with him she feels in harmony, peace, that all of nature is her. Aldo says it’s great that Lety realized this. They smile at each other.

Is Lety going to be able to leave Don Fernando behind her?
Will Fernando confront Tomas?
How long until everyone else finds out about the Mendiola/Padilla love affair?
Happy New Year, everyone!

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.- Brooks Atkinson

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