Caray, Caray!

As always, the producers want to remind us what happened last night, and since JudyB did a stellar job I quote:

“Cesar Luis and Sandro are fighting about our " lovely little rose garden", Marely. Sandro wants to call off the arrangement. When he agreed to it, he didn't know Marely. Now that he does, the game has changed.

Not for Cesar. He's going to get his vengeance and nothing is going to stop that. Not even the great luuuuuve (he sneers) that Sandro feels for Marely. Beside, he adds, she'll never be yours.

She hates you. I've made sure of that. And if you really love her, you'll spare her the horror of finding out you've been fooling everybody...and all for a cold-hearted act of vengeance.

Forget about going to Farrell, about looking for her and about betraying me, Cesar finishes.

And mercifully, that's where this very unpleasant episode ends. Bring on "ultimas capitulos" por favor!!!!”

Your prayers are answered: “Últimos Capítulos” appeared for the VERY first time last night at the end when they advertised for tonight!!!!!!!

HOORAY!

CL sneers that he hopes Sandro won’t be so vile and so low as to confess this little arrangement because it’s going to shatter his life if he does. Don’t even think about betraying CL. Sandro is on his wavelength and not the least bit happy with it. And WE are surprised that CL thinks it’s a problem that someone might be vile and low enough to bust him. We think it would be a coup.

Imagine this, there’s a gym in the D. F. called “Fissic.” Pastor and Heri are signing up. An instructor tells them he can give them private lessons in the morning or afternoon, and describes all the other fun activities, including the sauna. Pastor wants that to relax his body. Heri, OTOH, wants to know who gives massages. Is it some chick or some guy? It’s a guy, so ask for Toribio. Heri will do without, thanks so much. If some guy dares to touch Heri, he’ll plant him a facer. Pastor tells him to chill and the trainer welcomes them. Heri gives Pastor the sign in sheet and urges him to sign on the dotted line.

Gutis is disgusted big-time with the rat on two feet who hasn’t shown. He curses Delirio, who’s left him high and dry (me dejó plantado- he stood me up).

Speaking of the King of Rome, Hillary is thanking Delirio and Nidia for the warm welcome into La Casa Cachón. Nidia hopes they’ll do it again and Delirio toadies. There’s a surprise. Juan thinks it’s really time to blow that pop stand and extricates Hillary as quickly as he can. They both have appointments the next day, hablablablabla. Nidia is given charge of Juanito and they get out of Dodge as fast as they can.

The gym must be a happenin’ place—Heri can press big time and Pastor –not so much. Heri does his reps and Pastor….does his best. Or whatever. The band plays on. Pastor gets himself hung in some exercise equipment. Heri hugs him around the waist and gets him down. The band plays on. Pastor gets in trouble again on another piece of equipment and Heri jumps off the equipment he’s on to go to the rescue. He hugs Pastor and grins. Heri does great sit-ups, albeit slow ones, and Pastor….tries his best. With a spotter. The band plays on. Heri sees a chick he wants to meet and springs up from the sit-up apparatus. He slinks around the equipment she’s on and loooooks her over. Then he leans in and introduces himself—apparently he hasn’t noticed her boxing gloves until they connect with his face. It’s a KNOCKOUT! Pastor quickly waddles over to Heri’s recue! [Ed. Note: Give the recappers more dialogue like this, writers!] The band drags to a stop.

Perafán wants to know what happened with Kike with Yadira. Well, he confronted Anga and Anga sent him to the devil (me mandó al carambas—Kike doesn’t curse). Anga’s insisting his intentions toward Yadi are clean and pure. Delirio tells him sure, and I’m Mandrake the Magician. This guy’s not clean in his body or heart. He didn’t dare to fire Kike, but tomorrow Kike’s going to surprise Anga with his resignation—right in Anga’s mug (jeta – face/mug). Delirio disabuses him of this plan—he needs to keep his job so he can keep his daughter. No job, no custody. He can’t win if he resigns. Kike is discouraged—he thinks Lady Luck has a bee in her bonnet where he’s concerned. (La diosa Fortuna me trae entre ceja y ceja – the goddess Fortune has me between her eyebrows).

Pastor is having a FABULOUS massage, judging by the shouting from the cuarto de masajes (massage room). It actually reminds one of the scene in “When Harry met Sally” where she fakes it. [For those of you too young to know the movie, so sorry.] Heri overhears this and determines massages ‘r’ not us. He’s out of there.

Ivonne awakes from a doze-off to note someone leaving the apartment building where she used to “share” time (so to speak) with CL. It’s that CL clone, “Sandro.” She’s irritated and smacks the cab driver, who wasn’t as watchful as she wanted. He thinks it’s her boyfriend and she denies it. He tells her that he saw a movie where the girlfriend watched her boyfriend leave and searched his apartment using her key. Ivonne is bummed—she forgot her key, but it’s not a bad idea. The cabbie thinks this guy will be a while in getting back and Ivonne looks at him with new respect. As JudyB noted, he’s one of the two cabbies in the D. F.

Hillary wants to know if Juan will tell her what happened in the office. Juan gets parked and deliberates over the consequences of telling her the truth vs. not telling her the truth. Her lovely, tender eyes make him think which way is better or worse. He compliments her—but it’s sincere. She’s the sweetest woman in the world and he wouldn’t want to miss out on knowing her. He wonders if they should go out for a drink and then to her house, but she tells him no. She throws him a curve—she has something important to tell him. She’s in love with him. Juan is I.M.P.A.C.T.A.D.O.

Ivonne skulks outside the apartment building until a woman with a child leaves and she scoots in, thanking them. The cabbie taps on his wheel, bored to tears with it all.

Juan comments on the curve Hillary threw. Why, she asks? He thought bubbles about how he could deserve a woman like this. She’s never known a guy like him, she says—but what little she knows, she likes. He wonders if it’s not just an impression. Nope, she’s sure. She’s ready to talk to Papi. Juan knows she trips his trigger (moves his switch), but he’s not so sure about talking to Papi yet. Hillary tells him now’s the time. She’s very serious about this. Juan is speechless, which is probably a first.

Ivonne makes her way to the floor where CL’s apartment is. She digs out the key and tries to open the door. It’s not working and something alerts her to run back to the stairwell she came up. Sandro leaves—looking for Marely? She peeps out at him going on the elevator, wearing different clothes than the guy who left in the car. Ivonne is bemused-impactada.

Anga is all smiles, telling Yadi by phone he’s taking her to a lawyer in the morning and give the baby a kiss. Pastor gets home to hear the end of the chat. He remarks on how it sounds like Anga chatting with his “Segundo frente” or queried—beloved. Anga scoffs and tells him not to be a mischief maker (digas tarugadas – say bits of mischief). Pastor points out how easy it would be for Nidia to just say that Yadi is Anga’s own blood and thus avoid the “relationship” that people think they have. Anga gets thoughtful while Pastor concludes that since she hasn’t done that, Yadi’s not his daughter. Simple, really. Anga negates it—Nidia would never ‘fess up because of Samuel’s name. Pastor thinks she’d find that preferable to having her daughter in Anga’s clutches. Anga tells Pastor that Nidia’s behaving like any mother, warning and all that, but deep down she knows Anga’s a man with principles (principios – principles, beginnings). Pastor retorts “and of endings (finales) because he’s spending so much on this chick that he’s going to be left with just his smile—as Pastor walks out. Anga calls after his brother not to talk trash about his daughter and Pastor returns to the room to tell him that Yadi may be his “daughter” out of necessity or lots of other reasons including pure pleasure, but there’s no proof she’s really his daughter. Anga wants to know what about that family mark? Pastor thinks it could be most anything; it remains to be seen. Anga smiles—his heart tells him she’s his daughter. Pastor reminds him his hearts not working so well. Anga tells Pastor to knock it off, she’s my daughter, period. He stalks away while Pastor rolls his eyes.

Ivonne, You Silly Girl! CL thought of EVERYTHING! He changed the locks! Her key gets stuck as the elevator door opens; something breaks off in the lock, and something drops on the floor—parts of a key or something else? A building security guy wants to know what’s up. She makes up a lame story that she’s such a fool, she always forgets the floor she needs and that’s why it didn’t work. She runs to the still open elevator and gets away before he strolls back, looking suspiciously at the elevator.

Paula’s dressed to kill in something that actually looks rather conservative compared to what she wears to work, and in strikingly similar style and color to Hillary’s dress from earlier in the day. She descends the stairs to chat with Ana a few minutes before her date with “Sandro.” Ana’s on edge about the exhibit. Only God knows what Nidia’s got planned. Paula can’t imagine why she gave charge of the details to Nidia, and for that matter, neither can we. Ana sarcastically remarks on what great moral support (apoyo moral) she’s getting from her daughter in a moment of great anxiety (angustia). Paula then does try to calm her, reminding her that not even Nidia can detract from the quality of Ana’s works. At the end of the day, it’s about her talent, not what Nidia does or doesn’t do. They both chuckle about what Nidia really could do—and just how gaudily dressed (guacamaya, Puerto Rican adjective) she might show up. Speaking of gaudily dressed, Ana wonders at Paula’s lovely get-up and thinks is could be a tad provocative. [Ed. Note: Ana, you haven’t been paying attention. Paula looks like a Barefoot Carmelite tonight, relatively speaking.] Paula just wanted to look pretty, and so what? She tells Ana the A to Z of why she’s so dressed up, to get Juan out of her mind. It’s more than time she fell in love again. With Sandro Arenas? Paula admits it—Sandro, whoever. Ana turns away and scowls.

Nidia wants to know why Marely is sobbing her heart out, but Marely’s not inclined to talk about it. It’s not because of man. What? It’s the fault of a woman. Nidia goes into a full-blown tizzy. Marely explains there’s always a woman blocking her way, and lamentably, it’s someone she cares a lot about. Nidia gets it; it’s Paula, of course. Marely cries that Paula’s always stealing her boyfriends and she can’t stand it any more. Nidia does an uncharacteristically loving, motherly thing and simply holds her tearful child.

Ana gets very direct with Paula—not Sandro, not anyone will make you feel happy and fulfilled. Paula’s not so sure and Ana wonders why Paula never listens to her. Why is she always looks in the wrong doors? Paula says the wrong thing is to think there can be something with her and Juan. Ana argues in support of Juan and Paula disagrees. Hablablablabla. Paula is just sure Juan isn’t interested in her as a woman. He’s going out with others. Ana wonders why Paula doesn’t just TELL the man already that she loves him. Paula’s pity party isn’t over, though. Well, she’s waiting for Sandro to come and Ivonne is out with Fern, so she won’t come for dinner. Paula kisses Ana and gets ready to go wait for Sandro. Ana reminds her not to come home too late because Ana doesn’t sleep until she’s in. Paula opens the door to find “Sandro,” who compliments her, comes in a moment and assures Ana he’ll take good care of Paula. Ana talks over her shoulder at him, refusing to make eye contact and looking sullen, rolling her eyes at his flowery promise to care for Paula, this valuable treasure.

Nidia is indignant about what’s happening to Marely and rails on about it. It’s not really Paula, it’s that Hillary Paris! Marely sniffles that it won’t work, since Paula’s got his heart. Nidia thinks marely hasn’t really done anything to conquer Juan. She’s letting others eat that cake! Marely cries about how she’s working on forgetting about him, even studying to redirect her attention. Why so much drama, then? It’s not about Juan, it’s about Sandro. Who’s Sandro? Marely reminds her about CL’s twin. But I didn’t know you were interested in him. Great! No, not so great—he came looking for me (was interested in me), interested in my work and—now he’s got his eyes set on Paula. Of course, she’s pretty, she’s intelligent…and I’m nothing, Mami. Nidia holds her again while Marely cries.

A corner flower lady greets Sandro, who is wandering aimlessly in the neighborhood. He absently returns the greeting. The lady tries to sell him all kinds of flowers for all kinds of females—a wife, a girlfriend…whoever. Sandro wants flowers for a “good friend.” What kind of friend? Well, I’d like it to be more than a good friend….the flower lady will make up an arrangement that will have her falling at his feet.

Nidia wonders when this all happened to Marely—she’s not said a word. Marely tells her that she’s always so busy with her stuff, but Nidia fusses that she has time for her daughters—she loves them most in the whole world! But, she’s not a mind reader and they have to come and let her know when they have problems. Marely cries that she wants someone to love HER and not get distracted by Paula. [Ed. Note: Fern wasn’t fixed on Paula. Ever.] Nidia points out that she’s a little nun, very serious, and that might not keep the boys lining up. Nidia thinks it wouldn’t hurt for her to be a little livelier—guys are like cars and gals like stoplights—you have to give them the green, not the red. Marely tries to explain—she wants them to like her for her mind and what’s inside, not how she looks. [Nidia’s not sure this is HER daughter here]. She gives marely tips on how to attract guys, and not with intellect. Marely has to grudgingly acknowledge the point. All men are womanizers, liars, and betrayers. Nidia hugs her and wonders why her daughters’ fate is to suffer so much.

In the Big House, Hillary’s Papi tells her the accountant advised him that Hillary’s spending big bucks and she’s overextended. He’s glad she’s got this work she’s doing, but….She’ll be more careful. He’s heard that she bought a convertible in the car dealership. Yep. A good friend needed it. Hm. What good friend? You haven’t met him, Papá. It’s a new friend (not the son of one of Daddy’s friends as usual) and Hillary wants to present him. So, where’d you meet him? Don’t be telling me he’s a good-for-nothing you met on the street. Hillary proudly tells Papi that he’s a businessman…..and that’s she’s in love with the guy. Papá Paris is impactado….then pleased…. and we hear commercial break music.

Juan finds Kike in the dark and asks him what’s up. Kike’s not only in the dark, he’s on the floor. Kike wants Juan to join him in a drink. Kike gets up and cheers up a little to congratulate Juan on his new girlfriend. He sits down on the coffee table in front of the sofa just feet from Juan. Juan responds that she’s just a friend of the moment. Too bad Kike wasn’t around to get an intro! Kike gets serious. He’s dying. Juan tells him not to say that stuff. But Kike has to tell what he’s dying of: Love, rage, anger, and all the synonyms for fury. He hurts so much he almost can’t breathe. Juan looks at Kike with concern and clinks his beer bottle against Kike’s.

Hillary’s Papi wonders who the heck this guy is, if he’s never heard the name. Hillary explains that Juan is half owner of Farell. He bought the shares. He’s a good worker, and little by little, he’s arrived…. ”to my house?” Papi wants to know. This guy’s really clever, because look at who he’s found! He indicates his daughter. Papi thinks it’s the money and at the end of the story, they are all fortune hunters, but Hillary assures him Juan’s not that way and Papi will see it once he meets Juan. Is he your boyfriend? Not yet. Okay, before he is, he has to talk with me. Hillary protests that she’s of age, and can choose for herself. Papi responds that he’s only asking this, to talk to Juan. When will she be bringing him by? Hillary tells Papi to let her ask Juan and Papi shakes a stern finger to tell her it has to be This Week. Hillary gives him a Look as he goes. Nice to know that even the best kids have issues with their folks, huh? She sighs in frustration as he gets out of sight.

Kike scoffs that Anga has tried to tell him that he’s only helping Yadira, it’s all clean and pure, oh Puh-Leeze. Another dog with this bone. Kike is sure something’s going on here and the worst of ti is that Delirio told him he can’t quit so he’ll have a job to support his daughter and have a shot at custody. Juan thinks that’s pretty lame (canijo—weak, feeble). Kike thinks they should spend a little and establish their own transport company—but Juan is living from paycheck to paycheck. He’s paying off the loans he got to purchase Farell. Kike wishes they’d been business associates before they became friends. Juan thought bubbles that he’s run into bad luck since buying Farell—lost Paula, and now he can’t help his best friend. Juan is downcast.

Paula and “Sandro” are enjoying a lovely dinner with red wine. “Sandro” tells Paula that when he’s seeing her outside the office, those are some of the best times he’s had with her. Paula fiddles with her food and listens, not making much eye contact. They exchange chitchat about being friends in or out of the office. Paula asks if he remembers wondering if there was something between her and Juan. Yes, but she didn’t respond. Well, today, she’s telling him. Between her and Juan there is NOTHING. Was there something? Not important, though, and he doesn’t want to know. The present and future are all that are important. He flirts seductively and she pulls back—she’s suffered and had a lot of pain. [Sheesh.] She doesn’t want to be pressured. He’ll give her all the time she needs—he rubs her cheek and hopes he can heal the wounds, dry the tears, [Ed. Note: rolling my eyes].

Sandro has taken the flower lady’s arrangement to leave at Marely’s doorstep. He looks up anxiously and puts the card into the arrangement, then looks up again and beats a hasty path away.

“Sandro” has paid and thanked the server, and Paula thanks him for the dinner. She had a lovely time. He’s so pleased, because he’s had a lovely evening. He leans in for the kill—er, kiss, and she jerks up out of her seat, leaving him staring directly at her décolletage. He jerks back up as Paula wonders if it isn’t time for them to go. She’s promised Mami she won’t be late. Our smooth-talking, seductive and wheedling ghost of CL is back, wondering what’s up with that? Are you bothered that I want to steal one kiss? I think you want it as much as I me. “Sandro” strokes her cheek, ala CL. Paula begins to cave. Suddenly, she’s kissing Juan passionately. [Pardon me, gentle readers while I run and turn the AC on.] She pulls back abruptly, leaving “Sandro” frustrated. No, no—understand, please. I’m not ready for this, not yet. Why? [Ed. Note: Paula, LISTEN. “Sandro” wheedles EXACTLY like César Luis!] Is it because when you’re with me you’re thinking you’re with César Luis? [Nice touch, pal.] Well, maybe some of that. “Sandro” tells her that CL and he are very different. She agrees hesitantly. Well, what should I do? Change my face? [I think they call that cognitive behavioral therapy and it’s working with Paula.] No, she just has to get used to it. He offers to get plastic surgery and she tells him of course not, and he jokes that’s good because hospitals terrify him (me dan pavor, give me dread)….one time I….well enough of that. Paula gives him a pensive look before they leave.

Juan can’t sleep though Juanito can. Juan muses to himself that he’s never seen his best pal suffering so (like a pig – como marrano). He’s got to find a way to help Kike and to help himself, too. “Sandro” is like a thorn in his shoe. Juan gets the picture of Paula with “Sandro” reading her palm in his head. This wasn’t part of the plan, he tells himself, shaking his head.

“Sandro” arrives home and can’t get his key into the lock and they drop. He sees the broken pieces on the floor and thinks about what it means.

After the commercial break, we are treated to a loooong-ago lead-in of Juan with his lovely locks cut, and the light blue-gray jacket and silk tie, hugging Kike who has just spent his life savings on Juan’s dress-to-impress wardrobe. That must have been from when? August or September? Of 2005 or so?

Morning is bright and lovely in the D. F. Juan and Kike talk out by the front entrance of Casa Cachón. Juan urges Kike to be patient. Surely God will give us a hand here! Cheer up! Kike retorts that he doesn’t need a hand at the moment, he needs the whole arm! He looks to heaven, beseeching. Juan tells him to come by the office around noon the next day. Kike wants to know what he’s up to. Juan tells him to calm down, this will work. Kike quietly thanks Juan for not leaving him alone right now. Juan wants to know if he’s nuts or what, with how good Kike’s been to him. Juan reminds him they’re soul brothers. Juanito comes out – he’s ready and has his teeth brushed. He gives the clean teeth grimace so Papi can see how clean they are. Juan dances down the sidewalk, urging Kike to cheer up. [Ed. Note: A woman would just hug the living daylights out of Kike like Julia did, but Real Men don’t do that, right Anon #1?] They walk to the street, hands on each other’s shoulders, with Juanito chattering to them. Wow, here are some flowers, and who could have left them? Juanito reads the card—they’re for Marely. He scolds his Papi—see, you’re going to lose that girl! Kike calls Nidia to let her know about the flowers, because the boys have to go. Juan looks at the delightful arrangement in shock and is impactadoooo.

In Pastor’s office, we of course get the great view of Ana’s painting of Juan in his prime. Paula has asked Pastor to come in early to talk about Laura Berrocal. Pastor is motionless in his chair and asks her to give him the meds for muscle aches since every since muscle in his body aches. He can’t even get up from the seat. She fiddles with the bottle and hands it over while he details what all is aching. It’s just that I began to exercise. [Ed. Note: Uh-huh. Right.] It was a challenge to get dressed. Paula’s heard enough. Now, about Laura. She’s been hired as your personal assistant with the idea that you’re going to make her life in Farell impossible, Paula advises him. Excuuuuse me? Pastor looks up warily. Paula wonders if he was lifting weights with his ears and they atrophied. [Sheesh. Is that what you call sarcasm, Paula?] Pastor chuckles with equal sarcasm—always so congenial! Paula makes it clear that he can do about anything as long as she ends up resigning. Pastor grins from ear to ear and mutters “me?”

Nidia hustles the lovely flowers in for Marely while she eats her breakfast. Marely is stunned by the lovely arrangement—don’t tell me the Licenciado Perafán sent those to you! Don’t be kidding me, he doesn’t even buy bread around here, Nidia laughs at her, touching her elbows to emphasize his tightfisted ways. Nope, they’re YOURS! She makes Marely look at the card (my bitter cucumber). “Perdóname (Forgive me)– Sandro” Marely is disgusted and sweeps the flowers onto the floor with one quick shove – “hypocrite!” Nidia is impactada. Poor flowers, what fault do they have? Marely announces that she’s really late, grabs her purse and stalks out. Nidia talks to the flowers while she restores them to their proper place at the table.

“Sandro” talks to Sandro (who looks really nice in a green v-neck sweater and black jeans). Sandro wants to know if CL is sure that’s Ivonne’s as CL brandishes the piece he found on the floor in his hand. Sure he knows it’s Ivonne; this is a piece of a bracelet (pulsera) he gave her. Sandro cautions him to be careful what he’s accusing her of, because he doesn’t have proof. CL says he knows exactly what he has to do. Sandro stops him from leaving—he says he has to let CL know he bought flowers for Marely the night before and left them at her house. “¿¡Qué?!” Are you nuts or what? I was with Paula! If she talks with Paula….”no one saw me.” He explains how he left them as a gesture to calm his conscience. It was his way of saying farewell to her. CL scoffs that he wonders what the h*** convinced him to involve Sandro in this. [Ed. Note: Could be the reasonable facsimile to yourself, ya think?] Sandro desperately reminds CL he had to do it that way and still needs Sandro to pull it off. CL stalks out and Sandro is still desperate.

Juanito is still scolding his Papi about those flowers. He hasn’t even given the girl a stick of gum and he’s gonna lose her for sure. Juan tells him to cut it out, already, he’s been scolding the entire way and what mosquito bit him anyway? Juanito accusingly tells Juan that last night Marely cried her eyes out and it’s Juan’s fault. What, she cried? Yes, she was JEALOUS of Hillary. Juanito wrinkles his nose in disgust with Papi. Juan protests that he’s a bachelor and can go around with whoever he wants. Juanito asserts that no woman will ever love him like Marely does, no matter how pretty or rich. Juan explains that he can’t order his heart around and he would like to do with Marely, but it won’t work. He babbles on while he “explains” this to his son and shoves him in the direction of his class. Juanito waves and Juan tells him he loves Juanito and urges him on into class.

As Ivonne gets off the elevator and the lobby lizards congregate, Pastor hobbles toward Ivonne to tell her the latest scoop—she can’t imagine what the Lic Paula has just asked him to do. She wants me to make Laura’s life impossible so she ends up quitting. She’s as hateful as Medulla, huh? Ivonne defends Paula—she has her reasons. Julia and her LL friend listen intently from the background. Ivonne continues about Laura—this gal played them dirty—both with Paula and her mother. Ivonne lectures a surprised Pastor. She was Monica’s spy when Paula married CL! No! Pastor is impactado. It’s logical Paula doesn’t want to see Laura—even in a painting! She remarks on the gossips. She drags him off to tell him what happened the night before and he moans about his aching body. She gets him as far as her desk, not so far away from the madding crowd, but tells him that she followed “Sandro” to his apartment. Huh…what for? Well, to clear up some doubts I had, she continues. Pastor tells her she’s always putting herself in the wolf’s mouth. This cloak and dagger complex of hers (complejo de caperucita – complex of cloak) is going to bring her lots of problems in her life. She scolds him for foreseeing her future instead of letting her tell her story. She tries to sit him down but he’s too achy-breaky. She lowers her voice and tells him she saw….TWO Sandros. TWO! TWO??? Ivonne scowls. “Two César Luises!” She declares that there are identical men in the apartment, and who knows if in place of two there are triplets! (Trillizos) One of those men IS César Luis Farell. She kisses her hand in confirmation (last part of the sign for crossing herself?). Pastor is muy skeptical. He looks over his shoulder and shakes his head in doubt and …fear? with an “Oh, Please, God, NO!” look.

There’s a new face in Anga’s market storefront with Remolacho. Kike strides in. he’s taking charge of the truck today, and makes a pointed remark about the patron only to find Anga right behind him when Remo tells him Anga’s arrived. Anga got the message. They face off and Kike stalks off. Anga says nothing, then asks Remo why he hasn’t cleaned the office. Remo reminds him that it’s because the day before he was a nanny. Anga cuts him off--any excuse is always enough to slack off. Hurry, the shop looks like a pigpen. Remo orders the new guy off to sweep out the pigpen. Juan comes into the store behind Anga. They greet each other, but we know there’s not so much warmth in Juan’s greeting today. Juan’s not here on business. It’s personal. Anga doesn’t even ask what it’s about—who cried first? Nidia or Kike? Juan tells him that what he’s up to is nothing good. Anga wonders if Juan, too, is thinking he’s a dirty old man? Juan scolds him for taking up with not only a young thing, but also the daughter of a former love! [Ed. Note: No, Juan, that was Fernando who did that, only in reverse.] Juan lets him know just how bad that really is. Anga shakes his head. He’ll tell Juan exactly what he told the other two. He’s helping Yadira unselfishly (desinteresadamente). Juan’s not buying it. He thought Anga was upright (cabal), proper. Anga asserts he is. Yeah??? Yeah. Well, tell Yadira to go home and if you want a young chick, go look for one but not at the Casa Cachón! Juan, please, Anga sighs. Believe me. Juan wonders how he can believe Anga when all the evidence is against it. You want me to believe you? Take back all the fiscal support you’re giving Yadira. Everyone will be happy. Nope, can’t do that, Anga shakes his head and sighs. You can’t? Juan challenges him. Fine, from now on we’re not friends and the contract we have is cancelled, Mr. Angarita Calvo. Anga asks him to not be so drastic, please. I swear I have….reasons to help….Juan interrupts, yelling. What reasons, man? Anga can’t tell him. He bows his head as he sits at his desk. Juan’s face is screwed up in fury. He looks at Anga in disgust and tells Anga what a sense of shame Anga is giving him. Juan stalks away in anger. Anga calls him back—he’ll share the truth with Juan. [Ed. Note: it’s Friday and the 59th minute of YAAJQ, so there has to be a revelation. That’s the rules of the game, folks.] I’m helping Yadira because….she’s my daughter! Juan is predictably impactidíssimo, and we are advised that any similarity to reality is purely coincidental.

Monday: Will Ivonne find out if there really are two? Will Ivonne keep leaving a trail while she stalks him/them? Are we really in Últimos Capítulos? Will we all make it?

Vocabulary

Segundo frente—beloved, lover (second front)
Me dejó plantado - left me high and dry (stood me up, left me planted)
Me mandó al carambas - sent me to the devil (Kike doesn’t curse)
Jeta – mug (face/mug)
La diosa Fortuna me trae entre ceja y ceja - Lady Luck has a bee in her bonnet where I’m concerned. (The goddess Fortune has me between her eyebrows).
Cuarto de masajes - massage room
Digas tarugadas - be a mischief maker (say bits of mischief)
Principios - principles (OR beginnings)
Apoyo moral - moral support
Angustia - anxiety
Guacamaya - gaudily dressed (Puerto Rican adjective)
Canijo - pretty lame (weak, feeble)
Me dan pavor - terrify me (give me dread)
Perdóname - forgive me
Complejo de caperucita - cloak and dagger complex (complex of cloak)

Have a lovely Memorial Day, Everyone!

Jeanne

Labels: Juan