Caray, Caray!

Always chipper Zulema is downright bouncy as she describes shopping for pans to Lorena. [Well, that’d certainly be my preferred way to spend the day, of course.] She went to the tanda, got an advance, and bought what she needed. They both admire the baby clothes that Vasco brought and which are conveniently lying around on the sofa. It gives Zulema fond recollections. Of her own two babies, Lorena wants to know. Yes, and the third one, the only little daughter she ever could give Omar. She lost that baby. He loved her children like they were his, but it’s a terrible sadness to lose a baby. [Amen, sister.] Everyone told her that child was stillborn. However, Zulema muses, she is positive she heard the baby cry (not eligible for Ferro’s Ugly Crying Scale). Omar thought it was the drugs they gave her making her hear things. Zulema couldn’t hold her, hug her. The little angel went directly to heaven, surely. Every day she’s in Zulema’s prayers; she couldn’t ever get pregnant again. Imagine how it would have been with Diana and Julián, how they would have cared for her! Lorena wistfully replies that’s how life is; Zulema lost a baby and she lost her parents. A single tear slides down her cheek (not enough to register on Ferro’s Ugly Crying Scale – hereafter referred to as Ferro’s UCS). But, Zulema has the blessing of her husband and two children. Zulema studies Lorena’s wistful face. Yes, he and the children are marvelous. But this loss has left her with a void she’s never been able to fill. Zulema smiles and tells Lorena she’s never told anyone this and Lorena is touched and pleased to have her trust. Zulema says that Lorena inspires the trust—so much trust.

Jacqui, in her fetching evening-on-the-town off-the-shoulder top, mini-falda and Hiiiigh Heels, shuffles around the office to run smack into Sara. What a grin. Sara’s, that is. Jacqui wants to Talk With Sara. Sure, what can I do for you? Jacqui lights into Sara about the proposal for the German embassy food-since when do you do the work that belongs to me??? And Sara notes that Jacqui wasn’t available so she just tried to help. [Think unassuming, innocent, sweet smile and soft little wispy voice here.] Jacqui mocks her little charade and tells Sara not to think for second she’s buying that white dove routine. Then she hits the real point—where did you get the info? You broke into my computer! Sara roundly denies it and since Jacqui doesn’t believe in password protection, she’s got no proof. Sara tries to tell Jacqui that Jaime told her as much as she needed to put together the proposal. Jacqui thinks that to get in good with Snortensia, Sara would do just about anything. [Okay, don’t let the dumb redhead routine fool you folks.] Sara bats her eyelashes—she only wanted to help her auntie, nothing more. Jacqui tells her to watch out, ‘cause she’ll defend her job with her nails. [Personally, I’d be more afraid of the stilettos.] She shuffle-stalks off and Sara watches with a snotty little laugh. D***, her teeth are whiter than Aldo’s [(La Fea Más Bella)].

Lorena thumbs through magazines and tells Zulema that she’s going to think of lots more dishes they can prepare so they have a big repertoire. Zulema reminds her they need to keep the cost low (barato – cheap). Lorena knows that above everything- they had to feed lots of hungry little mouths on almost nothing at the orphanage. They had to practically do miracles. Zulema jokes that they’ll have to do a few miracles to enhance their profits. The door slams and Julián comes in, with the spectacular new bloody bruise on his cheek. Zulema wants to know qué the heck happened to him. He looks very somber as he tells her he gave Bruno what he deserved. Zulema thinks he should have left it alone; this could make it worse. Julián disagrees; this idiot needed to know Diana has folks who would go to the mat for her. Lorena, all Madonna-like in her white blouse buttoned up to the neck, thinks she ought to leave and let them hash it out alone. Zulema tells her to hang on and talk to him; he might listen; she leaves them to talk. Julián tells her that idiot works with Alonslow, but he’s not why you came, right—it’s your little girlfriend? She’s the one who sent you, right? Nope. Lorena came on her own because it’s just not right they end it all because of some nonsense. Nonsense??? You think what she did to me is nonsense? Julián makes a gesture at his head—Rossy has a screw loose and who knows what else. Lorena bypasses that, forces him to admit he cares about Rossy, and smiles a little smugly when he does.

Sara is in full suck-up mode with papers for Snortensia. Vasco must have done them before he split because Snortensia says he did the papers perfectly. Sara, in Total Innocence, asks if she’s done something wrong here? No. Snortensia wants to know if Sara’s talked to him and Sara assures her that she Couldn’t talk to him. Sara knows how he got the address for his uncle, though. How?? At his work there’s this Diana who is Omar’s stepdaughter—imagine, Sara’s half-sister. How Sara would love to hug the girl! She hugs herself for emphasis. Can Snortensia imagine what this means for Sara? She has a SISTER! Snortensia reminds her they have a Deal. Sara plays her for about three minutes. Yep, we have a deal and I’ll never mess up here, but then on the other hand there’s this family I’ve found, but I’ll never break our deal, and there’s this family…..I spent my whole life with no family. But, I’ll never go back on my word to you, Granny. They’re a miserable family. Whatever, they’re My Family. But I promise I’m never going near them and I’ll follow through with my deal. [Seeds of doubt planted all over this office.] Sara Hopes that whatever love she can’t get from Them, she’ll get from Snortensia. [The gauntlet is thrown down.] Snortensia gives her a beady snake-eye stare.

Lorena says she knows that Julián loves Rossy. Sure, he admits, but she does strange things. Julián found some ice for his face, but every time he talks he has to use his hands, so the swelling is never going to go down here. She acknowledges that Rossy is unique. Lorena urges him to make the first move and he wonders why it has to be him since he’s the offended party here. She left him out there like God brought him into the world. What’s more important—his affection or his pride? Julián is holding out for Rossy to ask his forgiveness. Lorena urges him again to make the first move because they care about each other, and talk with Maruja. Whoa, with her jefa? No way, she hates me! Okay, fine, show that you’re a gentleman, who assumes responsibility for his actions. What would she think of you. Julián mutters that he’s a coward. He’ll think about it, though. Lorena coerces Julián to say he’ll do it. Then they change the subject to the flyers he’s got for Zulema’s home business. He’ll pick them up the next day and Lorena will help him pass the flyers out. They high five and smile fondly-and Julián moans because a smile stretches his bobo out of shape. Pobrecito. [Ed. Note: She’s the baby of the bunch, but she’s already taking care of them all.]

Alonslow (a nod to whomever of the recappers devised this gem) moans about how he could have fallen asleep. He just can’t understand it at all. Toribio notes it’s never happened. They hash over all the reasons why it happened. But the bottom line, Alonslow points out, is that it might cost him the promotion. [Ed. Note: MIGHT????] Toribio points out all the reasons why it SHOULDN’T cost him the promotions—great work, years without falling asleep at the switch, etc. Alonslow tells his Papi he better get to work and not miss his shift this time. Toribio uses his spare time to think about this puzzlement.

Lorena buys some lovely blue paper for ten pesos [10.00 MXN=0.972053 USD] at a little neighborhood store, or it could even be the Post Office. She borrows a pen, and muses to herself that she hopes she’ll find the right words. Apparently it works, and she writes.

Soon, we find Lorena at the gate in front of the Armendáriz enterprises. Señor Caballero is pleased to see her; he wonders if she’s coming back to work. Lorena tells him no with some regret, and she hands him two letters; one is for Rossy and the other for Maruja. On your behalf? No. Lorena looks at him apologetically. She wants him to tell Rossy that her mother sent this letter, and vice versa. He wonders if she’s thinking of pulling off some mischief (diablura – prank, mischief, deviltry). Nope, it’s nothing more than a little nudge (empujoncito) to help them reconciliate (contentarse con alguien - to become reconciled with someone). He excuses himself quickly to get on it and Lorena heaves a sigh.

Suddenly, Maruja is reading a letter from her “daughter.” Gentle readers, we are all astonished to realize she’s never helped her daughter with homework because she doesn’t have a clue this is not her daughter’s handwriting. The letter describes how sad Rossy is that they’re not getting along. Rossy is aware how much alike they are and she’s Real Proud to be like her Mami., her Best Example. Rossy is asking her Mami’s pardon for the foolishness. Tears come for the second time in this episode, but keep the faith, these tears are only about a 4 on Ferro’s UCS, so no big deal.

Rossy reads a letter from her “Mami.” Apparently, Rossy also has never seen her mother’s handwriting before. Or, both of these chicas live in an alternate world where handwriting morphs to be what you want it to be. Or, Whatever. This letter tells Rossy that Maruja feels so sad that Rossy thinks she’s so hard. But, if she let Rossy do whatever she wanted, Rossy would never learn responsibility. When Rossy becomes a mother, she’ll understand what it’s like and understand that Maruja does what she does because she cares. No one is more important than Rossy, and puh-leeze come home. Tears come again, and they’re up to a 5 on Ferro’s UCS. This is really sloppy and someone should hand this chick a Kleenex.

Rossy and Maruja clutch their letters and their eyes meet across the kitchen as Maruja comes to Rossy. Inquiring minds and ear check today’s action out—it beats chopping onions. What’s more, you can actually keep chopping onions while listening and you won’t probably cut off a finger. Mami and hija collapse in mutual tears and greeting. We’re up to a 6 on Ferro’s UCS—mostly due to sheer volume with two at it. They hug and exchange phrases of love. Maruja wants her back home; and is she really proud of being so much like Mami? Yes! You’re the best, but told you? It’s in your letter. What, you got a letter, too? They grin at each other, cry a little more and they’re both going to kill Lorena through their tears and chuckles. For sure it was her. Yep, who else could it be? They reaffirm their love for each other and decide they better not get so angry with each other again because Lorena won’t always be there to referee. Mami and hija hug. There is loud applause throughout the kitchen and it returns to normal—now the only bitchiness in the kitchen will be at tasting time again. Whew.

Sara tells Vasco on the phone she can’t come to his uncle’s house. His Granny misses him, too. He imagines so—who’s she got to manipulate? [Ed. Note: Not Sara. She’s got the old gal’s number, and she’s now officially in charge of manipulation.] They chat about Snortensia’s inflexibility with Omar et al. Sara sets Vasco up a little more. She won’t insist on him coming around. She snaps the phone shut and tells herself it’s better for her.

The People’s Clinic #23 is settling down for the night, but Alonslow still has one more meeting with the Jefa. First, he wants to offer an apology for what happened the night before. Too late. Nothing like that has ever happened in all his years of service. She points out how serious it is, but she’s not going to discipline him. He finds out that his little faux pas of passing out cold on his desk has cost him the promotion. He says he understands. He’s supposed to call Dr. Panda so he goes off to find Dr. Panda for her [HUH? A black and white bear works at the clinic? Oh, it’s Bruno! Wait! A Panda is CUDDLY! Bruno is NOT cuddly. Who assigned these names anyway? Ah, we get it—Bruno. Bruin. Bear, sort of. He’s a Panda Bear. Still not cuddly. More like a grizzly. That’s just me going on about Bruno since as a watcher I am powerless to do anything about this creep other than make scathing comments.] Alonslow congratulates a “surprised” Bruno about his promotion—he’s now Alonslow’s boss. Bruno smiles slyly to himself. We are encouraged to see that the bruises will be there a while, go Julián!

Hooray, Rossy is HOME! She announces her return and Lorena jumps up for a hug and welcome. Rossy thanks Lorena for what she did and Lorena plays dumb. Maruja joins them and tells her not to do that, she knows full well she sent two letters. Lorena fesses up, noting their stubbornness. She doesn’t want to see them angry. She knows they love each other, though. She’ll mix up some Agua de Horchata http://www.geocities.com/agcronicas/horchata.htm to celebrate. [Ed. Note: This drink is a nice little cultural tradition.]

Agua De Horchata (drink)
Ingredients:
1 cup rice
1 stick cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract
Sugar (to taste)
2 tbsp powder cinnamon
water
1 can condensed milk
Directions:
1. Boil water with rice for 5min
2. In a 2L container add evaporate milk and strain the previously boiled water without the rice
3. Mix rice in blender with cinnamon sticks and vanilla extract
4. Strain rice and add sugar to taste
(Note: one Spanish website says that just about any fruit can be put into the Agua de Horchata mix, whatever’s available, also)

Maruja, looking really svelte and spiffy in a magenta v-neck sweater and white pencil skirt, sits with Rossy [who always looks her age] sits down to chat with Rossy while Lorena runs off to the kitchen. Rossy couldn’t stand one more night in the pantry—the sacks were really hard. Maruja is glad she’s returned but she has to have her say. Rossy did bad. Rossy doesn’t want to go there again. Maruja doesn’t want to find a boy in her room again. Rossy tries to convince her Mami this is the 21st century and Maruja is too antiquated to buy it. [Ed. Note: Me, too.] Rossy points out no one waits to get married these days. She admits it’s important to prevent pregnancy [PSA for pregnancy prevention, listen up here, everyone.] Rossy realizes this is not making points from Maruja’s expression and the sound effects of something skidding to a halt. She doesn’t want to be disrespectful. She didn’t think Maruja would come home so soon. Maruja spits out that it was a rather unpleasant surprise. Rossy asks her forgiveness. The last thing she wants is to make her Mami feel bad. Maruja doesn’t want it to happen again; even though she may be antiquated, she wants Rossy to respect the rules of the house. Rossy agrees. It won’t happen again. What’s more, she and Julián had a falling out (estamos peleados – we’ve fallen out). Maruja makes an empathetic noise and expression. [Huh??] Rossy nods sadly.

Vasco thinks Bruno’s not worth the trouble. Diana chastises herself for being a fool. She can’t get him out of her head. He understands, though, especially since she’s expecting Bruno’s child. Diana spouts off about Bruno being with that chick—what chick? Sara. Sara??? He’s interested in her? Yep, her. Vasco thinks about this while Diana stalks into the house. He starts to follow her, but speaking of the King of Rome, he’s here to see her folks. Vasco confronts Bruno. “Does Diana live here?” “You must be Bruno.” “Yes.” Vasco lights into Bruno about responsibility, and other vocabulary concepts Bruno missed during Spanish classes in middle school. Bruno has nothing to discuss with Vasco, but Vasco retorts that he DOES. Bruno trots out his litany that she’s to blame and Vasco points out he’s some kind of doc if he doesn’t know about pregnancy prevention and it takes two to tango; he’s known that since he was a teenybopper [PSA #2 for tonight on the subject]. Bruno tells him enough already with the little sermons. He’s willing to give this kid his last name. Vasco says it ain’t enough—a baby needs his father’s affection. He tells Bruno that fortunately Diana lives with folks who will give the baby all the affection that Bruno’s not willing to give. Diana magically appears. She greets Bruno coldly and wonders to what they owe this visit. Bruno wants to talk to her folks. Like she asked him to. Alone. He glares at Vasco, who meets his measure. Diana nods to Vasco.

The girls celebrate Rossy’s return to the fold with the Agua de Horchata. Maruja toasts to the return of peace, serenity, and above all, maturity reigning in the house. She directs a firm gaze at Rossy. Rossy thinks it sounds like a Christmas card. Rossy proposes that she’d like to toast with something that has some booze. They laugh and clink glasses. Maruja remembers her private tequila stash and runs off to bring it for the toast. [Almost everything can be improved with a shot of tequila. Especially if it’s Don Julio Añejo.] Rossy is scandalized that Mami has a stash. Well, it’s hidden away so Rossy won’t share with her buds. [Ed. Note: Maruja cleans up good when she lets her hair down. And did I mention the nice outfit? Oh, yeah, I did. Well, some things are noteworthy.] Lorena interrupts so no new fights will break out with her roommates. Rossy admits she missed Maruja, even when she’s grumpy, while Maruja goes for the treat. Lorena changes the subject—what about Julián? He’s not interested now, Rosy wistfully tells her. You think? Why don’t you ask him when he gets here? Rossy gets all excited. Then she worries about how she looks. And squeals with joy at the prospect of seeing Julián. Lorena can only grin back.

Bruno has adopted his most sincere and serious face to Meet the Parents. He wants them to know he’s not going to abandon (desamparar) his child. Omar glares at him, hands in pockets; Zulema gives him a stony stare, hands supporting Diana’s shoulders, and Diana clasps her hands in front of her, not making any eye contact. Bruno at least has the good sense to be nervous. In addition to his last name, he’s prepared to give the child a very generous monthly support (pensíon). Diana looks up sharply—“Why, when he’s a bastard?” He says material things are very important, and since he’s gotten a promotion, the child won’t lack anything. Zulema points out that her daughter is referring to the affection a father normally gives a child, which he seemed to leave out of his nice little speech there. Diana spits at him that’s the thing that worries him least. Omar turns to her and gently tells her to calm down; the family will give the child all the love in the world. So much that he’ll never feel the lack of a father. Bruno hangs his head and sighs as Omar turns back and tells him “thank God we are people to whom it’s not important how a child was born in order to give him the love he deserves.” [Ed. Note: Does this have a deeper meaning, for example, did Snortensia conceive him before she married his Papi and got rich, did she trap his Papi, or did Omar and Zulema get pregnant before they married and then marry, or both of those? Is this a portent of a story we’ll hear later?] Bruno stares, deep in thought, while Diana’s lip trembles with sadness.

A knock comes and Rossy jumps out of her skin. Lorena tells her it must be Julián. Does Rossy look okay? Maruja and Lorena run out of the room so Rossy can greet Julián, with Maruja turning to assure Rossy she looks fine. Rossy gets to the door in a nanosecond. Julián looks very serious as they greet each other. Rossy launches right into her apology. She knows she went overboard. Good that she noticed, Julián tells her. Rossy assures him it’ll never happen again—if and when he quits flirting with other chicks. She shakes a finger and he crosses his arms. Is she going to bring that up again? No, this. She grabs him and kisses him hard. She was beginning to believe she didn’t matter to him even a little. How could she think that? He comes back for more kissing. Rossy notices his face and asks Julián what’s up. Long story. She accuses him of being nosy or something. No, but he didn’t come for that. He came to talk to Maruja. Speaking of the Queen of Rome, the ears have walls and out pops Maruja. With me? How nice, because I want to talk with you, too. Rossy shakes her finger at Mami and accuses her of spying. Julián holds Rossy back. Rossy says she’ll leave them, but Julián wants her there. Rossy looks at Julián, then Maruja, who sighs and looks away from them both with resignation.

Omar addresses Bruno—if Bruno has nothing more to say, please leave, because Bruno is not welcome here. Omar takes a few masterful steps in Bruno’s direction to punctuate. Bruno knows that and doesn’t expect to be seeing the baby much. Zulema retorts that he shouldn’t look for excuses, because this baby doesn’t make a bit of difference to him anyway and he didn’t plan to see it for that reason. Omar shushes her and Diana steps forward to angrily confront Bruno. She had a hope he’d come with some other agenda, not for her but for the baby. Now she’s left without a doubt about what kind of person he really is. Bruno looks around for what? Support? You’re not going to find it in this room, pal. He’s leaving, good night. Diana looks for her mother for a hug, and Zulema murmurs loving words and holds her. Diana hates him and wonders how she could have been so stupid. Omar tells Diana that from now on, it doesn’t matter if this guy follows through with his word or not—that’s up to him—she must think of her baby. And her family will be there to help. Zulema nods and Vasco comes in, telling her that Omar is right. A guy like that won’t be a good father or spouse. Diana realizes he heard Bruno and thanks him. Vasco says he couldn’t stay silent. That’s why Julián hit the guy, too. Omar jumps on it—Julián hit him? Zulema wonders how Julián knew where the guy worked? Omar expresses his concerns, and Diana says this guy deserved it. They get back to the baby. The family needs to think of the joy that this baby will bring. What’s more, Omar is sure it’s a boy. Zulema thinks it’s a girl. Diana cries (Ferro’s UCS 3) while her parents smile and hug her.

Julián is busy accepting his blame for what happened the other night, which will never happen again. Maruja is impactada at the apology, apparently. Rossy wants to take the blame for ending up in her bedroom. It’s not fair for just him to get the blame. Julián tells her it doesn’t matter who gets the blame. It doesn’t change anything. He apologizes to Maruja again, tells her it’ll never happen again, and asks Maruja’s permission for Rossy to be his girlfriend. Rossy protests, but Julián’s mind is made up. He tells Maruja, who is actually smiling at him some, that he would understand if Maruja thinks he doesn’t deserve her daughter. It would be tough to accept someone with no visible means of support (sin oficio ni beneficio, without a penny to his name, from a previous episode). The truth is that while he doesn’t exactly know what he’s going to do with his life, he’s no slug. He’s working with his Mami while she established her own home business. The one thing he can assure Maruja is that he’s a man of principles, and from the day he met Rossy, he’s been making an effort to be a better man every day. He holds Rossy’s hand and glances at her, then back to Maruja. Rossy beams with joy. A single tear courses down Maruja’s cheek. (Ferro’s UCS .25). She smiles at them. Rossy kisses Julián and they look fondly at each other. A single tear courses down Rossy’s cheek (Ferro’s UCS .5).

Alonslow tells Toribio he has to bounce back from this. He had such high hopes that they’d give him this leadership position. Toribio encourage him—after this bad experience, things will get better. Yeah. Does Lorena know? No, Alonslow hasn’t told her, so as to not worry her. He just doesn’t know how he lost the promotion, that’s bothering him so much!

Zulema is excited to see Lorena arriving—has she eaten breakfast? Yep. They walk in with Zulema’s arm around Lorena’s shoulders. Julián wonders if she’s ready to go to the thing with the flyers. More than ready! Has he checked them? No, he’ll do that on the way. Vasco comes in and he’s as surprised to see Lorena as she is to see him. Lorena is muy impactada when she finds out that Vasco is living here now in his uncle’s house. Yep, my uncle Omar and my dad are the only children of my Abuela Snortensia. Lorena freezes, commercial impactada.

Vasco wonders what’s happened with Lorena that’s turned her so pale. She can barely respond. If Omar is the son of Doña Snortensia then he’s…..Vasco interrupts. How is it that my uncle is poor and my grandmother is rich, right? It’s a story that’s a bit complicated. Zulema assures her that some day they’ll tell her. Julián tells Vasco that Lorena’s going to help with the food prep and Zulema chimes in it’s great food! Vasco offers to lend a hand and gets stares of disbelief. Not in the kitchen, with the business end. He’s done some of that with his granny’s company. Looks and gestures of approval all around. Zulema says they’ll keep that in mind, thanks! Diana comes so she and Vasco can go to work. Zulema introduces her to Lorena. Lorena’s frozen again…or still. Diana’s glad to meet her and Lorena mutters a muted “yes, glad to know you, too.” She stares at Diana, who looks enough like Sara to throw Lorena into a trance, I guess. Diana jokes that her mother’s spoken so much of Lorena she was getting jealous. Lorena looks around, still glazed over.

Snortensia and her new shadow descend the stairs [in a house like that, with a staircase like that, you don’t walk down you descend, folks]. Snortensia tells Sara to go see if her breakfast is ready—toast and coffee. What, no juice? No. Jaime joins them in the hall. He wants her to know that he appreciated her looking for Vasco the day before. Sara says there’s nothing to thank her for. Too bad she didn’t succeed. He doesn’t want to come back. Snortensia laments that every day that goes by his absence weighs on her more. Jaime’s pretty sure that when Barb returns, she’ll convince Vasco to return. Vasco always pays attention to his Mami.

Diana thinks it’s amusing that after Lorena has worked in Vasco’s granny’s company, she ends up working with Vasco’s aunt. Lorena is still in a daze, which is getting on my last nerve. “Yeah, right.” Zulema tells Diana no comparisons, there’s a world of difference here—Julián chimes in a world of difference. After all, that’s a huge company and this is just a home-based start-up. Julián tells Vasco that Rossy says his granny is a real tyrant, a witch. Vasco shrugs—she’s earned that name. They exchange a little more chitchat and Julián tells Lorena, who is standing a little apart from the others, still in shock, that it’s time for them to go. Yes, let’s go, she replies softly. [Ed. Note: For a second there, the four dark-haired folks were standing in a line and Lorena apart with her back to us; it struck me that she’s the single link between all these folks. They are all related to her although Vasco is not related to Julián and Diana by blood, nor even Zulema. Everyone in that group is related to Lorena by blood.] Lorena briefly continues to stare at Diana, Vasco and Zulema as Julián heads for the door, but finally says goodbye and goes. Vasco, Diana and Zulema are puzzled. Diana remarks that she didn’t think Lorena would be so shy—is she always so reserved? Zulema looks a bit disconcerted; no, she’s very talkative. Vasco agrees, no way is Lorena shy. He thinks she’s just surprised that they’re relatives. You could say that, Vasco. Diana theorizes that Lorena was so traumatized by working with Snortensia that she doesn’t want to hear a word about the old bat. [Okay, my translation]. Zulema thinks they ought to explain to her that they (she and Diana) have no family ties (vínculo-link, bond, family ties, of blood) to Snortensia. Vasco is pensive.

Julián and Lorena walk down the street. Lorena thinks back to scenes with Zulema talking about the baby she lost; but she was sure she heard the baby cry. Lorena thinks back to realizing that Zulema’s husband is Vasco’s uncle Omar. She stops cold. Julián wonders what’s wrong. Nothing. Are you feeling sick? No, I’m fine. Julián points out she’s kind of strange. [Good call.] Lorena’s face is a blank mask. Can he get her something? No, no. She thinks to herself that she has to call Sara. Lorena tells Julián she better run by her house; does he mind? No, fine. He’s going with her; she’s not looking too well to him. Lorena just stares, still blank.

Zulema dusts a framed picture. I dunno about you all, but if and when I dust a framed picture, I don’t take it down and put it on the table to dust it. I’m just saying. Omar comes into the kitchen—he’s on the way to the shop. Zulema tells him she loves him with fervor, and a hug. He’s mystified what this is about. Zulema was so proud of what he said to Bruno! He declares he said what was fair. She looks lovingly at him and tells him he’s an exemplary father and a true man.

Alonslow has made it in to work, still fuming at himself about losing the promotion and wondering what the heck happened. Valeria comes in and asks if it’s true that Bruno got the leadership position for the clinic. Yeah. How could that be! Sure, he’s got his pluses, but you’re better than him. Alonslow says he committed a mistake. She’s incensed and Alonslow tells her the position is Bruno’s and they should waste more time on this. On the contrary, it’ll make Alonslow work harder. Bruno pops in, cheerful. Has she heard? Yeah. What, no congrats for me? Congratulations. Then Bruno’s in charge and giving orders now—not that he wants to abuse his rank or anything. Alonslow, take my patients and I’m out of here. Once Bruno’s gone, Valeria complains that as soon as he’s promoted – “Fearless Leader”-- he hands off his patients and takes off. Alonslow looks resigned.

Barb packs to go home now that her….uh….procedure has healed up. Ickturo comes for One Last Kiss. Ickturo wonders why good things can’t last forever. That’s life, that’s why. How’s the new biz going? Well, he’s hired a sexretary and she can’t imagine how it is. She hopes the gal is ugly. Well, you know, appearances matter. She warns him about not going looking for affairs with the secretaries. How could she think he would go for shrimp when he’s got lobster? [Ed. Note: Well, folks, isn’t THAT a romantic metaphor? We think Ickturo likes older women anyway—look at how he and his Mami get along.] More giggling and kissing.

Lorena will wait for Julián outside the shop where they ordered the flyers. He goes in to get them and she quickly drags out her phone. It rings, and rings, and rings. Jacqui picks it up and sees it’s Lorena calling Sara. This imbecile. Why should Jacqui answer, she’s not Sara’s secretary. The phone stops ringing and Jacqui puts it back on the desk. Lorena begs Sara to answer. No luck.

Speaking of the Queen of Rome, she’s with Bruno. He wants to celebrate his promotion. How does that sound to her, he’s the new chief of the clinic. She unenthusiastically congratulates him. But she doesn’t want problems with his ex. He scowls at her. What does Diana have to do with this? She’s the stepdaughter of my Aunt Snortensia’s son Omar. For real? Bruno is impactado. She tells him she is sure he’ll understand that she doesn’t want problems with her family. Bruno assures her that he talked with Diana’s folks the night before, he left them clear that he’s going to do the right thing, but Diana is nothing to him.

Lorena’s trying another tack to get to Sara. She calls the main switchboard and asks. They transfer her to Jacqui, who slam-dunks Lorena and then hangs up. Lorena sighs and tells herself she must tell Sara she’s found Sara’s family. Julián comes with the flyers. Is she ready to go by her house? No, she’s feeling better now. She’ll help with the flyers. Julián looks at her, a little worried.

Barb charges in the door with her little suitcase. She tells the maid to put her suitcase in the bedroom; the maid tells her she’s glad Barb is back, because they missed her. [Ed. Note: Are you kidding us? Why?] Barb tells her again to take the suitcase up to her room already. Where’s Matilde? Doña Snortensia fired her. Ah, well, she must have had her reasons. [Ed. Note: Sheesh.] And my husband? At work. And my son? Sra., he doesn’t live here any more. What??? He left the house. The maid nods sadly at Barb, who is muy impactada.

What do you MEAN my son’s not living here any more? Where has he gone? We don’t know for sure, but I overheard him talk about some guy named Omar. With OMAR?

Speaking of the King of Rome, here’s Vasco arriving at work with a strawberry ice cream for Diana. He stands outside and points at it through the glass, mouthing the words and grinning. An equally grinning Diana chuckles and answers the phone. She transfers the call and tells Vasco he’s going to Heaven –she was dying from the craving. Has anyone been looking for him? No. He tells her he’s gotta go back and buy one for himself in that case. He turns back—how strange, he doesn’t even like strawberry. But watching her eat with such pleasure, he might begin to crave it. She teases him that she’ll give him hers. Nah. He wants to know about those cravings. She tells him people say that sometimes the papas have the same cravings as the mamis. But, he’s not the Papá. Could it be hitting him because he’s hanging out so closely with her? She laughs. She doesn’t know, but she’d be embarrassed if it did on account of her. He tells her it wouldn’t matter to him. Diana gets serious and tells him he’s such a giving person. He can’t be so serious. If the cravings hit him, fine. But not the revulsion with some stuff and the vomiting. He shakes his finger at her. He won’t stand for that. Vasco goes off to work and Diana chuckles, then shuts her eyes with bliss as she eats the strawberry ice cream.

Valeria meets Bruno in the hall—was he looking for her? Yep, he wants a list of the labs that supply medicines to the clinic. Why? Since when does he have to give her explanations. Zap! Valeria smarts at the invisible slap. Fine, she’ll get it for him right away. Hurry up, Bruno tells her. She nods. He turns and watches her go over his shoulder with a scowl.

Barb busts into Jaime’s office demanding to know why he let Vasco is at Omar’s. Jaime tells her if she’d called he would have picked her up at the airport. How is she? She remembers to grab her gut and be in pain. She’s okay, but what’s bothering her is her son. She moves using a gingerly movement for effect. Jaime tells her to calm down. How can he ask her to calm down, she yells. She wants to see her son RIGHT NOW. [Ed. Note: Gentle Readers, this may be an insight for us into why she hangs out with Ickturo. She has the same Jocasta complex that Ickturo’s Mami does.] How did she find this out, Jaime wonders? Joaquina told her, and what did Jaime do to Vasco to make him run to Jaime’s brother? Jaime tells her to sit down first, he supposes she’s not supposed to overdo anything. Barb remembers the gut pain again and sits. She grabs her gut. Jaime sits and looks a little irritated.

Julián and Lorena pass out flyers on some local street corner. She tries to pass another to three ladies he just gave them to. Julián comes over to her. He appreciates her helping pass them out but he’s still worried she isn’t feeling so well. She’s just nervous. Why?? Stuff. Should they keep on passing out the flyers? Julián thinks it’s better for her to go. She’s going to stay and pass them out, while Julián goes to the market. As soon as he’s out of sight, she tries to call Sara again.

Speaking of the Queen of Rome, Sara and Jacqui are discussing some ingredients. Shouldn’t they be imported? Jacqui says the domestic one are very good quality and way cheaper. The phone rings and Sara answers it. Lorena needs to talk to her RIGHT NOW! Sara has lots of work. Lorena persuades her they have to meet. It’s IMPORTANT! Sara wants her to tell now. No, not by phone. Jacqui gives a frustrated sigh and Sara gives Jacqui a disgusted look.

Barb is having a full-scale meltdown. She doesn’t give a rip if Jaime has to beg Omar’s pardon on his knees but Vasco HAS to come home. But my mother….Don’t mention her!!! She’s the primary one guilty of this whole mess. Speaking of the Queen of Rome, here is Snortensia, wondering what all the screaming is about. Who is Barb blaming? Because of you and Jaime, Vasco is GONE! Don’t be coming to me with this stuff, Snortensia spits back. When you yourself called Zulema an upstart! And you’ve never been a saint, you’ve gotten plenty of advantage out of my distancing myself from Omar! Barb whimpers—how could Snorty talk to her like that? Snortensia asks how she could want to be talking like that herself. Barb cries that she only wants Vasco to come back. Well, instead of screaming like a crazy, go look for him. Use that energy to convince him to come home! Barb puts her hand on her face and gives a dry sob.

Lorena waits in Maruja’s living room and paces. There’s a knock at the door and she opens for Sara. They hug and Sara asks why the urgency, what’s so important? Lorena wants her to sit, but Sara scolds her to just get it out, she’s got lots of unfinished stuff to do. Lorena urges her that it’s realllly important. So they sit and Sara wonders about all the mystery. Lorena announces she’s found Sara’s parents. What? Lorena beams. She knows Sara’s mother and father. Sara says she doesn’t understand. Did Lorena go looking for them herself? No, it was a coincidence. Or fate. Something put them in her path. Does Sara remember Julián, Rossy’s boyfriend? What’s he got to do with it? He’s Sara’s half-brother. Sara is not happy, but Lorena isn’t registering it. Lorena says they’re a marvelous family and Sara’s mother is the most wonderful woman on earth. Sara thinks it’s impossible. Lorena insists it’s possible. She has a heart of gold, and Lorena knows her well because she works with her. Her name is Zulema. Lorena goes on that Sara doesn’t have to look any farther—God has given her marvelous parents. Sara wants to know how she found this out. Lorena proudly reports that it was through Vasco; his uncle Omar is the son of Snortensia. Your Papá! Sara asks if she’s sure of what she’s saying—does she have proof? Lorena insists there’s no doubt; Zulema told her about losing a baby. Tears stream down Lorena’s face (Ferro’s UCS 5, there are way too many of them and we’re tired of it already tonight). The baby daughter supposedly was born dead, but she’s you, Sara! Sara asks how they could have assumed she was dead? Lorena doesn’t know, but Zulema was sure she heard a cry. Your cry! Lorena doesn’t know how Snortensia could have done something so low, but she jerked the baby away from Sara’s parents and then said they left Mexico. Lorena is indignant that Snortensia could be so bad and keep lying to Sara. Sara’s face falls –My God. [Ed. Note: Clearly a reflection that she’s got to find a way to get Lorena off the scent.] Lorena tells her yes, it’s monstrous, but listen—your parents are incredible. Sara is impactada with fear. No doubt wondering how to cover up and stay with Snortensia.

Jaime waits by the car, sighing as Barb comes out of the company where Vasco and Diana work. Has she been able to speak with Vasco? Nope, he’s left with some Diana. Jaime knows that Diana is Omar’s wife’s daughter. Barb screeches-- let’s go, I have the address.

Lorena “comforts” Sara. She imagines what Sara must be feeling. Isn’t is amazing that Lorena has been working with Sara’s Mamá? Sara nods, still looking impactada. Wow, what an act. Lorena wants to take Sara to her folks right away and Sara jumps down her throat. No! What, you don’t want to meet your Mamá? Sara backpedals, of course she wants to meet her Mami. It’s what she’s hoped for all her life. She digs up a smile. What they’ve both hoped for. Lorena points out that’s right but now she has the opportunity, so let’s go. No, no, no! Sara has to talk with her granny and find out what’s her story. She’s going to have to explain everything! She knew my parents were in Mexico! Lorena volunteers to go see Snortensia with her. No, no, no—Sara has to absorb all of this. It’s too much. Lorena has to understand, this is all very hard for Sara. Lorena says more comforting stuff. She understands. Sara swears Lorena to total secrecy [yeah, right, so she won’t spill the beans with Omar and Zulema, Sheesh]. She lets Lorena hug her and curses Lorena. Why’d she have to go stick her nose in all of this? 1001 times damn!

Banshee Barb gets out the car and rails at Jaime—how could Vasco even think of living HERE? Let’s go, Jaime, get a move on! Jaime follows in resignation. Barb bangs on the door impatiently. Zulema finally gets there, shouting she’s coming and they’re going to knock the door down. She opens the door and Banshee Barb sails in screaming at her. Where’s she hiding Vasco?? Zulema says he’s not there. Jaime tries to get Barb stopped, but she keeps on screaming stupid stuff at Zulema. In my house, I’d be on the phone to 911 and she’d be out. Zulema just asks her if she speaks Spanish. What part of he’s not here didn’t she understand? Barb accuses her of lying. Why should she, Zulema wants to know. He came there on his own. Barb wonders who would know what kind of ideas they’ve put into his head that he might not want to go home. Zulema retorts that the only thing they’ve given him in this house is their hospitality and affection. She looks at Jaime and notes that she overlooked him leaving home but he surely had his reasons. Don’t play the fool, Barb screeches again, you’ve been turning him against us. Zulema tells her they haven’t messed in Vasco’s stuff nor anyone else’s. Barb says she’ll see when they talk to him. Zulema points to the sofa and tells her to have a seat because he probably won’t be long. Barb just glares at her.

Sara has gone to see Chalo about this new twist on her plan. They’re in the same boarding house room Lorena had for a night, then Sara had, and now Chalo has. How nice that the director has a few less sets to worry about. Chalo marvels that Lorena should have been a detective. How could she have found all this out? He tells Sara it’s all going to collapse on her. She retorts that’ll never happen, this idiot will never ruin her plans. He asks what she thinks she can do about it—Lorena will never rest until she gets Sara together with her Mami, if he knows Lorena. Sara huffs. She hates Lorena with all her strength. If Omar finds out what the old bat did, he’ll denounce Snortensia. Chalo gets up from the bed. “And you’ll have to give up the mansion and go live with them.” Nope, Sara’s not going back to poverty. No way is she losing everything she’s gained. You think not? Chalo tells her she’s got the hangman’s rope around her neck now. He kisses her neck in emphasis and she pushes him back and falls onto the bed. No, Lorena hasn’t opened her mouth yet, Sara asserts. I begged her not to say anything and she won’t. Chalo tells her it’s just a matter of time. You can’t shut her up forever. Sara fumes and thinks. Chalo tells her he can’t think of anything. Apparently Sara has thought of something, though. She slinks over to the foot of the bed, lowers herself on top of Chalo, and tells him their future depends on him. On me? Mm-hmm. She kisses him and pushes his head onto the pillow. She plants kisses around his face. Why? How? He just has to eliminate Lorena. Chalo is impactado. Did he hear right? What? She keeps kissing him, and talks in between kisses. Yes, yes, if you love me for real, and you want to enjoy this fortune as much as I do, do it. We have to get rid of her. She whispers seductively into his ear while she keeps kissing it. Chalo is slimy, sleazy and generally creepy, but maybe he’s no murderer. His face tells us the story. He’s muy, pero muy, impactado at this suggestion. “You have to kill her, Chalo.” Sara has very effectively guaranteed that Chalo can’t possibly get all hot and bothered even though she’s slurping around his ear. There is no reminder on this scene that any similarity to real life is purely coincidental, so we can assume Lorena better watch her back.

Vocabulary is embedded.

Monday: Sara begins to plan Lorena’s demise. Chalo’s going to be the fall guy.

Jeanne

Labels: enemiga