Caray, Caray!

(My apologies for how long this took. There was some computer glitch that literally kept it from showing up on screen although it was up for hours. -ed.)

It's New Year's Day. Gavi relays Rod's message that he's looking to get married as soon as everything can be arranged. Clarita looks a bit sternly at Gavi, and says she doesn't want to bust her balloon, but "Just when is this supposed to happen?" and the $64,000 question, "What do you expect to do if his wife up and refuses to give him that divorce?" (Aw, Clarita, what a wet blanky of a sensible mother you are! --It's painfully obviously now, this relationship is gonna be one long hoopty car ride from here on out for our happy couple: bump along and screech. Go. Screetch. Go. Screetch. Heck! Let's just burn rubber and scram owta here already!)

Videgaray assures Rod that he can annul his marriage to Isa, who (speak of the Devil and who should appear?) just happens to arrive home at that exact moment. (RUh-roh! Bus-ted!! Or maybe not. Heart in throat time.) Hearing the end of their discussion her little blond antennae pick up and she says, "What do you need to ask me? " Rod's heart skips a beat or three, but he smoothly ignores her by offering to walk the old legal eagle to the door.(Compose yourself, Rod. Breathe deep. Paste on that brilliant smile and turn around.)

Not to be denied, Isa asks again about their discussion. Rod answers that they were dealing with matters concerning the hacienda and by the way, Videgaray's handling the fiscal year's year-end financial matters, including her daddy's debt. Isa says sweetly that she knows her daddy is behind on the payments, but as soon as he can he'll catch them up. (What a quick save, Burly Bear. Who'd a thunk you had it in ya?)

Rod smiles and in a moment of benificence, guilty conscience, or perhaps as a means in hopes of smoothing the way for their divorce, he tells her he's cancelling her father's debt (and thus, any reason to feel morally chained to this mock marriage. -- Ok, Ice. If you're worthy of even a bit of our respect at this point, I hope this little morsel of reality sinks into that overly peroxided noggin of yours.) Isa is elated. She thanks him and gives him her parents' holiday felicitations. (What? She's not gonna give him another one of those clingy, greasy kissee-things on his cheek? Guess not.)

Rod nervously mentions he's going out with his sisters and Pilar to place flowers near his parents' burial vault at the church. Isa sweetly begs off claiming that this should be a private moment with his family. Relieved, he agrees. Confrontation satisfactorily avoided. When he leaves, she calls to make her pappy happy by giving him this belated X-mas present.

At the kitchen table Gavi and Clarita are continuing their discussion. "If Rod says it'll be easy, then there's got to be a reason, Ma." The phone rings. On the way to the family memorial, Rod, smiling from ear to ear, has called up Gavi. "Hi!" he says. "Have you changed much? I haven't seen you since last year!" "--Yes I have!" she answers. " I love you even more!" (Feelin' it yet, guys? Ain't it wunnerful?)

Rod called from the car to let Gavi know that Videgaray came by to discuss the divorce and is starting the paperwork. He also wants to come by there or to take her and Clarita out to eat to discuss more of the details; but Gavi reminds him that they agreed to see each other only at work to avoid any suspicions. He asks her then how is he going to ask Clara for her hand if he cannot come by and see the two of them. (Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Whoopee!)

Gavi excitedly whispers this bit to Clarita who is beside herself with joy. To Rod: "--But, hey! So how can you ask her for my hand if your not already divorced?" Rod says it's like he thought: he can get the civil annulment right away. They can marry civil and then petition for a religious annulment so that she can be properly married in the Church. Gavi relays this message to her mother and Clarita jumps for joy. (Go, Ma! I'm right there with ya' on this one!)

At the mausoleum, Rod converses mentally with his father and tells him that he's changing his life around but not to think he will be leaving his sisters or grandmother unprotected.

Back at Aaron's place, our she-pup of Cerebus asks her "belov-ed" where and why he's headed out that morning. He lies and says he has an association meeting and NO, she cannot attend this one!! Min, who by now really is getting on everybody's last nerve, has a list of airlines sitting out. "What's this?" he asks her. La-Muy-Enerva (Madam Exasperating) explains she is trying to see if Rod really did fly back on the last flight out of Veracruz. This damned she-male is now like a bitch with its bone; and Aaron, aggravated as hell, tells her that the entire family will think she's nuts if she keeps this up. (What do you mean will?)

Aaron pokes his finger and pecks with it at her forehead. "My cousin and Mariana did.not.spend.time.to.ge.ther!!" "Hah!--I'm going to prove you are all WRONG!!" "Ay! Do whatever the heck you want, then! Just don't wreck your day thinking I'm with another woman." (I don't worry anymore about celestial payback for Aaron's misdeeds. He's obviously married to it. Living with Minnie, Aaron suffers his divine punishment daily like one of Dante's infernal damned.)

Turns out Aaron is headed for his nooner with Pamela, to whom he has so generously and graciously offered the honor of becoming wife #2, IF and only IF, she gives him a son. During their bubble bath (Excuse me, this is sexy? I couldn't tell if the tub was heart-shaped ala "That 70's Show" or not.) Pam tells him how respectfully the Miami servants treat her: like his wife and they even address her as Sra. Montalvo. (Ah, whadda they know?)

Pam asks what Minnie will do once she finds out they're living together. Aaron answers, like he cares. Then she asks if there is anyone Minnie hates as much as her. Aaron says yes, and it's turned into a stubborn obsession for her, but better for them because it now allows them to enjoy their relationship worry-free.

At the hacienda Sayinyawanna? is still giving Hilario the cold shoulder. He tries to apologize, but it's useless. S.J. tells him to forget it and adds that oh, by the way, he's crazy if he thinks Sra. Isadora will ever take a penniless dirt farmer like him seriously. (Another well-deserved knee to the groin come-back delivered by our Miss Loose-and-Lazy!!) Hilario stands there with one of his endearingly doofus, confounded-but-guilty-as-charged, expressions on his face, simulating what passes for being in thought.

Back in her hotel room, Pammy imagines Aaron on the television screen telling her again he'll marry her if she would only give him the gift of a baby boy. Sadly she says, "Ah, Bichi! This is not going to be possible."

Gavi is singing her favorite song while getting ready for work the next morning. Clarita calls her a regular little [songbird] these days. "You haven't sung like this for a long time!" Gavi is in love and feeling every lovely minute of it. Clarita gives her a blessing and warns her to behave sensibly at the office, because one cannot pretend about love nor money. (That anvil is being raised ever so slowly above Wiley Coyote.)

Aaron tells Minnie he's going to be traveling by himself for a while on business to a number of cities up in the U.S. She's worried about the house in Miami being left untended to. He says the servants are very efficient. She has another minute of self-doubt and asks him (Wham! "Before you go-go!") if he loves her. His smarmy answer is, "Of course, and with all my heart!" and then he exits, stage right.

Gavi arrives at the office all excited. Another beautiful bouquet arrives anonymously (from Rod) while she's greeting Margarita. They exchange hugs and she heads up to his office where Margarita has said he's been waiting for her.

Gavi enters and Rod cannot contain himself. He is full of smiles as Gavi shuts the door. (EY's smile is to die for and a shout-out to the cameraman for capturing this bit of Heaven's natural beauty on film so perfectly.) Rod is the "essence of love" in male form if ever there was. In fact, they are both positively beaming. It's effervescent and seeps out and through every inch of him. Gavi cannot help but be enveloped by it. (What can I say? These few scenes are damned good! The sponsors got their money's worth.)

Rod teases then begs her for kisses but she manages to refuse for a bit. She tries to calm him down and begs him to behave himself since they could be caught. Just as she gives in and he bends close to her ear to go in for the smooch, Wicked Witch of the East flies in on her broomstick as once again Elvira has ever-so-rudely barged in to his office without knocking!

Ruh-roh!! Bust-ed!! --And for real, this time. It is definitely the cat caught with the canary. Elvira is as embarrassed as they are and looks at the floor a few seconds. (I half expected Rod to raise holy hell with her at this point, but nooooo!) Rod tries awkwardly to cover up his actions by switching to business talk with Mariana, but Elvira definitely suspects nooky; she says nothing. She relays her message about the tasting school candidates arriving tomorrow in Tequila and exits. (That was sooooo not a smooth move, Rodster. -- I gotta figure he's so close to netting goal he just doesn't give a flip any longer. So, the anvil is winched up a bit higher still.)

Gavi warns him again to behave since they were nearly caught. (Naw, they were caught. Definitely close enough for horse shoes here.) Rod says he's beyond caring what anyone thinks because he really needs her and loves her so much now. He finally gets his kiss and as Gavi/Mariana leaves his office she's singing her special song under her breath. Elvira looks at Mariana like she's lost her mind, but Mariana blows her off and tells her, "Smile, Elvirita." (The pulley on that anvil keeps turning. Higher and higher it goes.)

Isa pays a visit to Daddy Ricardo. She has obviously misinterpreted Rod's gesture, 'cuz she tells her daddy that Rod's discharging the debt must mean that he intends to strengthen their marital relationship. So Ricardo advises her to get pregnant to insure her marriage is set in stone, but not by artificially inseminating herself. He encourages her to do it the old fashioned way and to use her wiles. (Gees, I never had father-daughter chats like that.) "Princesa" reminds him that it won't be easy since Rod always rejects her advances. Daddy says he has faith in her, and they both know she always gets what she wants once she sets her mind to it.

Meanwhile, back at Montalvo Corp, Rod runs into Gavi's office to tell her that Videgaray just called. He found them some property on their island and it's now just a matter of signing the papers. Also, he's suggested to the old guy that Mariana be named Assistant Director of the Corporation. Vid says that a woman could be named in that way, though it might be turned down. They are not sure who will take over the reins of the business afterward, but Rod is beyond caring. "Let Aaron or Bruno figure it out." He assures her that very shortly they will be free to express their love publicly, since the only reason that a separation would be complicated would be if he and Isa had children...... (Damn, I want to cover my eyes so badly about now.)

Dani smooths things over with Grammy P. She's come back to live with them and will abide by the House rules. Just please return the favor and treat Elvis with some respect when he visits her there, she asks. When Dani leaves for her rehearsals, Grammy wonders how she can be tolerant when she feels exactly the opposite. Sofia suggests to Pilar that they conceal their disgust of Elvis just as long as it takes for Dani to eventually get bored with him.

Gavi comes in with more book work. Rod wants her to join him for a couple of days at the hacienda, but she refuses point blank. She has been gone a couple of years now and has no intention of returning, especially with all the details she's got to clear up for Corporate. She tells Rod they can be done with the most immediate business needs within a couple of days, if they work overtime. He's excited to hear that they could be on their way by the day after tomorrow. He wants her to get them plane tickets right away.

Gavi is caught by the quick timing of it all. Rod wonders if Clarita is willing to join them and Gavi says it will be difficult for her to leave her volunteer work at the hospital, but she's definitely coming with them.

While all this is taking place at Montalvo Corporate Offices, Isa gets an unexpected and unwanted visit from Frankie Gigilo. Isa icily tells him not to darken her door again. She's married and wants to keep it that way. In fact, he doesn't have to even worry about repaying her for their fun times together. Not one to take no for an answer, Frankie successfully seduces her again, and drags Isa back over to his place for a little afternoon delight in, and out of, the jacuzzi. (Damn, ever notice that woman never really needs much persuadin'?)

Gavi discusses needing to finalize her severance package in order to pay off her remaining debts. She adamantly refuses to allow Rod to pay them for her. She tells him she also will want to continue working because she cannot live in idle luxury. He tells her fine. "One last thing," says Gavi. "When do you plan to speak to Isadora?" He says the following night he'll tell Isa about the divorce, but obviously not that it's because of wanting to be with Gavi/Mariana; then he'll tell the family once everything else is completed.

"She is going to be so hurt by all of this," Gavi says. (Wasted sentiment.) He agrees, and neither of them wants to hurt Isa, nor to enjoy themselves at Isa's expense. Rod says he feels just as badly as Gavi does about it. "Life, though, is like that. If we are ever to live our lives out in the open we have to be ready to give up everything and everyone." (Yeah, Isa is really feeling some pain about now. Not!)

Lacing their fingers together, Rod and Gavi take a pledge that whatever happens, God might give them the strength to cross through whatever obstacles necessary to keep from ever being separated from each other again. Just then Elvira barges in a second time. (Is senility setting in or what?) This time Rod does put her in her place and she apologizes, saying it will not happen again. (Yeah, and I have a bridge for sale in Brooklyn.) Elvira tells him a James O'Brian has called a number of times to discuss the new school of tasting trainees.

Gavi/ Mariana exits from Rod's office and Oñate unctuously greets her. When Gavi is gone he strides over to Elvira and asks whether Videgaray had come around. Elvira says she hasn't the foggiest, but he did call. "What about?" She doesn't know. He suggests that next time she might (skin crawl alert) literally "put her pretty little ear to the door" and find out for him, since he presents a danger to the company.

Rod talks with James to let him know the students for his tasting school will be arriving the next day. They kid around a bit about Rod and "La Gaviota" getting back together again. James wants all the dirt, but Rod laughs and puts him off a while, telling him "all in good time." "--And James, don't ever refer to her by that name again. She doesn't think anyone is aware of her true identity."

Minnie gets shut out and shut down by the airlines, so she decides to enlist Oily Oñate to get the skinny for her. She comes by the corporate offices to speak privately with him since she knows Aaron is out for the afternoon. She explains her suspicions about Rod and asks him for the list of passengers from Veracruz the night of the 31st of December as well as those from Manzanillo. She demands and he promises total discretion --not even her husband can know. "Lawyer's honor, he-heh". (Ri-i-i-ght. Ok. Do any of you feel awkward admitting one of your relatives is a lawer right now? I know I do. Sorry, Bro'.) Minnie says she'd prefer it was on a Bible, but hey..... (In a perfect world, right?)

Rod's plan is to work late with Mariana to clean up whatever is pending with the company and to use Elvira as their "chaperon". He informs Elvira that they all will be working until rather late in the evening.

As Minnie is leaving Oñate's office, Rod bumps into her in the hallway. He goes into Mariana's office to let her know Minnie's been there and that he is suspicious of Minerva's true motives. This does not sit well with him, particularly since they're trying to finalize all their personal plans. They wonder what business she could possibly have with the man. So, Gavi suggests he work that night at home to keep Isa from suspecting anything. He says no, he's certain that Elvira will call his wife and assure her that they're all legitimately working late there. He wants more kisses and swears that for every kiss she's been refusing him she'll have to pay them back with interest, 300% worth!! Not a problem for Gavi.

At the same time, Elvira pulls Minnie aside to tell her how she caught Mariana and Sr. Rodrigo "very chummy" in his office earlier. She is certain that Mariana was even going to kiss Sr. Montalvo! (--You know, life must have been a real treat for Elvira's defunct husband. Ever wonder why he died so early??? I bet he was more than ready for that sweet chariot to swing a bit lower just so's he could be carried home that much sooner.) Minnie says not to worry; she's about to get exactly what she needs to expose the two of them, and particularly Mariana, in front of the whole Montalvo family. (Pulley ropes keep squeeking. The anvil is rising higher and higher.)

Aaron meets with his lawyer and tells him he wants his divorce to go through ASAP! His wife has become an anchor around his neck. His lawyer has arranged the documents to be sent to her at the house in Miami. If she refuses to respond, then after the third notice by the courts she will be automatically divorced by default and considered in contempt of court. The sooner the better says Aaron!! (Trust me, Aaron. It's not soon enough for any of us, either!!)

Isa heads back from Frankie's apartment and he runs after her. She tells him they ought to have ended their little romance back in Alcapulco. She is not going to risk her marriage and that is that. It is over for good. Don't come looking for her ever again, period. Frankie wants her to swear she doesn't ever want to see him again. Coldly, dare I say, icily, she looks him straight in the eyes and says, "I swear it."

At the office, Rod and Gavi are talking via their phones. She's worried that he didn't leave a message and Isa will come by to complain to them; if so, she won't be able to withstand the pressure. She hates thinking of herself as a home wrecker, literally, "a husband-robbing female". "No, my love. You aren't stealing anything. I was never anyone's but yours." (Aw! Just feel the love, guys. This is the real thing, I'd say. But I still hear that pulley rope squealing in the background.)

Later that evening Oñate calls Minnie from an untraceable public phone, with the passenger information she wanted, and says she was correct. Rod was not on the list of passengers who flew out of Veracruz that night. However, he won't have the Manzanillo list till sometime tomorrow. She hangs up and Aaron wants to know who it was. "Like you should be the one asking me? Don't even bother!" She struts her stuff and walks off.

Belisario, the concierge, mentions to Frankie that his friend got back from his trip and was upset because Frankie's still living in the apartment. Isa meets her daddy for supper and is out when Sofia comes by the reception desk to have the concierge call up to her apartment. Frankie approaches her as she's leaving and re-introduces himself. She remembers him from the phone call in the apartment and he turns on the charm spiggot. Sofia smiles to herself ("Hot-damn!") as she leaves the building. She gets back into her SUV but the engine won't start.

Daddy Ricardo tells Isa how pleased he was with the news that her husband had cancelled the debt. He tells her that he has grand ideas to improve the textile factory now. Since the debt has been erased and forgiven, he can do exactly that, but only with another infusion of capital. So he has gone back to the bank to get another loan. Daddy wants her to persuade Rod to co-sign his loan and back it for him. "It's only a signature, not cash."

Isa is vexed by this request and says it will not be an easy thing for her to ask again, particularly so soon after the other. She is really feeling uncomfortable. (Does anybody else see the similarities here between Frankie and Father with their manipulative machinations? They say a woman always goes for a man like her daddy. Hmmm.) Ricardo says that's silly and of course Rod will help her out. She'll see. He'll send her the papers tomorrow.

Sofia's SUV won't start and Frankie drives out just then in what is apparently his buddy's hot red Alfa-male Romeo. He stops to give his newest damsel to be dis-dressed some help.

It's late and Elvira snidely asks Mariana what she is trying to prove by working so late with them both that night. "Elvira, don't start, ok? Lots needs to get done." Elvira leaves. A bit later, Rod and Gavi finally finish their work. As it's getting late and they're hungry, they decide to go out for dinner together and to finish the rest of it early the next morning.

Meanwhile, Isa returns home from dinner with Daddy and decides to check on Rod with a call to his office. Of course he's just left so he doesn't answer his phone. She immediately suspects he's lied to her about working late.

At the restaurant Rod tells Gavi that once they're married he wants them to return to live in Tequila at the hacienda. Agave farming and Tequila is their life and the land is their essence, their entirety. He tells her how he thinks about her running to him through rows of planted mescal. She envisions them riding together on horseback as the sun sets.....

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