Caray, Caray!

With voice failing and eyes tearing up, Lorena recounts for Ernesto and the class how she learned to cook the dish she’s demonstrating (they made hundreds). She never refers to the orphanage clearly, but talks about growing up and learning to cook. She tells how her best friend, Sara hung out in the kitchen and ran to the oven to be the first to eat the warm empanadas, then saved some for night so they wouldn’t be hungry. [Ed. Note: Yum. Had my first one in Watertown, MA in April. Highly recommend them!] Lorena chokes on Sara’s name. Paty is mesmerized at the breakdown and Ern steps waaaaay out of character and comes around to gently take her shoulders as she breaks down crying. He asks her “what’s wrong?” and tells Paty to take her out and get some air. Some witchy chica complains that there are folks who’ll do anything to get attention. Ern chides her to be respectful. He looks back at the direction Lorena disappeared with concern.

Bruno tries to talk his way out of the doghouse with Alonso, looking surprisingly convincing with his “apologies.” He wants Al to tell Sara to tell Diana he’s really sorry and Di should marry him. If it goes like the telephone game we played as kids, by the time Di gets the info she’ll think Bruno wants her to disappear into the Amazon jungle. (Maybe someone should just tell him to do that and save time). Al’s not so sure it would work anyway, it’s just a tad late in coming, and it’s up to Diana. What’s more, he doesn’t want to get involved. He tells Bruno not to do any more of his nonsense and he’s telling Bruno this in good faith. Bruno sighs and nods.

Lorena and Paty finally make it into the sunshine, so maybe she’ll settle down a little. Lore knows she messed up in there, making such a spectacle. Paty says she doesn’t think anyone’s going to think much of it and even the Ogre was concerned for her. Lorena says she was remembering times with Sara, but Paty thinks it’s more than that. Lore can tell her what happened if she wants and Lore spills her guts—“she betrayed me, in the most evil way.” (How can it be so evil? Two birds with one stone—Alonslow off the A list and Sara is out of your hair, Lore. Most of us think that’s a good day’s work, there. Git ‘r’ done!) The whole story comes out—we were sisters, she knew how much the break-up with Alonso hurt and now she’s with him. Lorena hasn’t been able to cry about it until right now. Paty gives great advice, IMO. “Give yourself the opportunity to FORGET it (sacarlo, tear it out of your mind). Lore can’t hate Sara even though she wants to—still, her heart is broken. Paty hugs her.

Apparently life is good other places. Acapulco is hopping and Paradise Exists! Julián is going to take Rossy to heaven (not if Maruja finds out, you aren’t). Wide-eyed Julián and Rossy have entered the building! They give the driver a great PDA (Public Display of Affection, prohibited per my High School Student Handbook just before the Dress Code), but all the driver really wants is a tip. Julián shakes his hand instead. Julián thought it was all expenses paid. Nope, not the tips. With that prompt, Julián gives the guy an insult - some minimal coin. He sighs and leaves Julián getting it on with Rossy in front of an audience—two muchachas recognize Julián from the program. Rossy spits nails while Julián beams and acknowledges it’s really him. Rossy tells them he really came to rest when they want to ask questions. Julián chides Rossy—he has to oblige his adoring public. They are thrilled when he answers correctly and want autographs. No paper? No problem, just sign my back. Rossy is disss-gusted, tells him it’s an autograph and not a tat, and muses to herself that the pen should be a razor. They giggle; Julián asks if they other girl wants an autograph and Rossy shoos them off, with the muchachas grumbling about her. According to Julián it’s the price of fame and he can’t be ugly with the fans. Rossy storms off with him trailing, bags in hand.

But hold on, it gets worse. The desk clerks know who he is and call him by name, they’ve been waiting. Rossy rolls her eyes, that annoying pout pasted on for life. For her, it’s becoming a nightmare. One of the clerks wants an autograph and tells him what to say. The other asks if Rossy is his companion. She snottily asks if they see anyone else standing there. The desk clerks tell Julián what’s included—apparently not all. There’s only one room, for example. Sorry, no changes in the reservation permitted. What time is dinner? Well, it’s not included, either, only breakfast. Julián is dismayed. The second clerk wants an autograph for her Papá. That’s it. Rossy stalks off again and tells him to catch up with her. Julián apologizes to the clerk and tells her he’ll be back—“she” is just a bit tired.

Lore thanks Paty for listening and missing class to do it. Paty assures her they’re friends. Not everyone’s like Sara (thank heaven), double-faced. Lorena can count on her. Lore tells Paty she never had the opportunity to see that side of Sara; they grew up together, and everything was accepted and forgiven all the time. Paty tells her this situation with Sara is like someone died. The Sara she thought she knew died. Lore agrees. Paty tells her to “bury” Sara. (We should be so lucky, but the TN would end too soon for the contracts). Lore smiles finally and sighs, asking Paty’s forgiveness for causing her to lose time in class. No problem. Lore’s a little concerned about the others, especially Ern. Paty points out he behaved superbly—even sensitive; Lorena’s domesticating him. Me? Yep, Paty assures her. They return to class, Paty’s hand around Lorena’s shoulder.

Meanwhile, in the land of sun and fun, Rossy’s not having any. She hates Julián’s fame, throws something on the bed and then throws herself on the bed. Julián comes into the room, and with Rossy lying on the bed, handles the situation totally the way any other red-blooded male would—wrong. He whistles low and walks right past his pouting princess to the balcony, admiring the view of the ocean. Rossy grumps at him and he tries to get her to look with him, then sighs when she just continues to pout. They have a mild fuss about him being the Mexican Idol, the flirting, etc., as he comes to join her on the bed, telling her not to be angry. Would she prefer him to behave badly with his fans? She nods. He was going to ask her to go out for a ride, but should he ask someone else, he teases. With a few well-placed kisses he cajoles her into a better mood. (That’d do it for me, too, except that Julián is a lousy kisser, IMO.)

Rossy and Julián take in the sights of Acapulco in a horse-drawn carriage, with lots of balloons and flowers on it. They laugh, smile, and have tons of fun because the horses move way too fast for any muchachas to stop them for autographs and flirting. Out of the carriage, though, they let gawkers take photos of the genio from the television and his princess—with Rossy’s camera. They spend the day enjoying Acapulco now that she’s made her position on other muchachas clear. Even muchachitas come for his autograph—Rossy doesn’t seem to mind them so much.

At the lesser house the happy little family (minus Julián) discusses the state of the world. Omar can’t wrap his brain around Sara going back to Snorty’s house. Zulema tries to explain it away—Snorty is so nervous about Vasco’s situation. Omar really can’t buy that – he knows his Mami way too well. She has no feelings whatever. Diana chimes in that Vasco’s out of danger and recovering so she can’t understand why Sara went over there. Zulema tries again—even if we don’t like it, they have a strong bond. Diana isn’t buying this, because Sara’s the strangest person in the world. Omar notes that Diana’s been pretty strange herself lately, what’s up with that? Diana jumps up to escape—she’s not going there. Omar is left with Zulema, asking her if there isn’t something she should be telling him. Nope. Whatever would she be hiding, and why ever would she want to? Omar wants to go try to talk Sara into coming back and Zulema tells him to leave her alone for the moment. Sooner or later she’ll realize they’re her real family. Okay, so what’s up with Diana? Bruno asked her to go back with him; he wants to marry her. Omar is totally disbelieving this. For such a naïve guy, Omar has good instincts.

Diana’s gone off to her room and gets a call….she realizes it’s Vasco. She answers and he wonders why she didn’t go to see him. Diana lies and says she had to stay late at work. She makes excuses and he hears something in her voice. He wants to know what’s up, and why she sounds so serious. She’s exhausted. Smart girl, she changes the subject—how is he feeling? Fed up with his mother’s over-the-top stuff. She’s treating him like a baby. Diana is unsettled.

The cat that ate the canary—ooops, Sara—strides into the living room. Snorty asks if she’s gotten her things settled in. Sure, what little there is. Snorty tells her she’ll need Sara with her early and she’d better go rest. Anything special? Snorty’s not saying at the moment, so Sara concedes and thanks Snorty for letting her stay at the house again. (Sheesh, Sara does sycophant so well). She’s not ready to leave, yet, though—how about a hug? Snorty isn’t accustomed to showing her feelings (there’s a mild understatement—except for her total annoyance). Sara points out that she hugs Vasco. That’s different. But Snorty knows how to compensate Sara for her loyalty. Sara’s so much like herself, she’s sure Sara will like what she has in mind far better than hugs. Sara chuckles, no doubt agreeing mentally that they’re a lot alike.

Lorena is wasting time wondering why Sara did this to her, and Alonso, too. She’s determined it won’t destroy her.

Back at Ern’s loooovely apartment, his sister tells him how pleased Raimundo was with the TV interview—great PR for the restaurant. He’s happy and hopes it will bring new clients. Sis looks in all his cupboards and tells him he seems less than delighted. He tells her he really is and the blonde interviewer wasn’t too bad, either. She tells him he’s incorrigible. And she changes the subject as fast as possible—any panqués from his student? He brightens up and gets a little softer–probably thinking about Lorena—and says tough luck, he ate them all. She tells him she hates him. Ern tries to tell her about Lorena’s crying jag. Why did she cry? He doesn’t know, but it touched him—this little gal has suffered a lot. Whoa, since when has he been concerned about anyone else’s suffering? Ern winces and squirms a little into the commercial.

Ern wonders why his sis talks about him as if he has no feelings whatever. Well, that could be because he thinks of himself first, and second, and third. He huffs that he surely must be the biggest egoist on the planet, then. She just can’t imagine him worrying his pretty head about the suffering of anyone else. He retorts that he’s not made of stone and she fondly tells him the very hardest of stone. He changes the subject back to the interviews. They’re the most important. His face hardens up—that’s the Ernesto she knows. He glares at her.

Greta, Maruja and Paula moan that Raimundo hasn’t called any of them. Maybe he made a mistake copying a number down. Nah, not all three numbers. They argue about who he’ll call and the bell rings—it’s Valeria for her first male-bashing session—oops, card game with the girls. Paula introduces her—a friend of Alonso’s. Greta wonders if she’s divorced, too. Nope, happily married. (Well, it all depends who you ask, I guess). Gee, what a miracle, that’s almost an extinct species, Greta tells her. They joke and get ready to play Canasta for blood. Or frijoles, whatever. Just not money. Lots of laughs around the group.

Ickturo’s not out with the girls, though, he’s home with Mami and the kidlets, glued to the tele. Mami thinks she hears the little ones but he’s sure they’re asleep. Mami can’t understand why he permitted Valeria to go out. He didn’t. She said she was going out with friends and that was that. Mami talks trash about Val, same old, same old. Isn’t he worried where she is? With whom? Apparently not. He looks totally bored at the thought. But she got his attention—what does she mean? He should know better than anyone, right? He knows his wife. Well, she thinks she knows you well, also. He grits his teeth and tells Mami he’s watching the news. She’s just saying. Ickturo gets thoughtful.

Valeria apparently hasn’t lost her touch at Canasta. If they were playing for Big Bucks, she’d be rich. They chatter about the game, the partner pairings, and Val thanks them for the invite. Paula tells her they raise the families and dedicate themselves to family things, then the hubbies divorce them and they end up as lonely as dogs. Greta and Maruja second the motion and the game goes on, Valeria all smiles again as she gathers her winning beans up.

The evening breeze sways the palm trees in Acapulco and Julián carries Rossy into their room “like newlyweds.” He drops her—good thing it was near the bed. They get a few seconds of hot lead-in action, peel some clothing off each other, and there’s a knock at the door. A voice on the other side asks for Julián Ruiz. Of course he opens the door. Some reporter (looks familiar) pokes a microphone in and talks about Julián the genius. We note there’s a camera running because we’re getting the camera’s viewpoint and it’s a top-notch shot of Julián with his shorts loosened and Rossy draped on the bed in a bikini, sure to make Maruja spout steam. The reporter asks questions about his trip and Rossy warns him not to get involved with this chick. Rossy grumbles when the reporter grabs Julián, drags him away and shoots back that she’ll return him later. Not to be thwarted, Rossy puts the bar on the door so Julián can’t get back in later. She flops on the bed and pouts.

In the greater house, Barbara takes breakfast in bed and wonders why Sara’s back. If she’d grown up without a mother and found her, she’d never let her Mami out of her sight. Jaime asks if she’s staying forever, and Barb is sure because Sara’s brought all her stuff. She doesn’t like Sara one bit. (Get in line, Barb.) Why, Jaime wants to know. Well, for all she says she loves his mother, etc., she can’t be trusted. (Of course not, when she knows about your amante).

Snorty walks into a dealership full of shiny new cars. Sara is skeptical that she’s going to like the sporty models here. Snorty agrees she probably wouldn’t but the car is perfect for Sara. Sara is predictably jubilant.

Lorena’s out streetwalking again, and her wares are selling like hotcakes. Ern watches her from a way off, sighing fondly to himself.

Sara blathers about the wonderful surprise; she never imagined it! Snorty reminds Sara she promised to compensate her. Sure, but with a car?! Snorty makes some altruistic remark about Sara deserving it (hah). Sara asks if she can give Snorty a hug, which Snorty reluctantly tolerates but might even be enjoying a little. But there are strings; Sara has to follow through with her work, not like these last few days. Of COURSE! Even more now that Sara’s returned to the Big House. Viewers are blinded by the smile.

Lorena finds Ern waiting for her on the curb and they greet each other. Did he come for panqués? She apologizes for her bad spell. He’s okay with it, no explanation needed. And he didn’t come for panqués, he came to see if she was all right. Lorena frowns a little. She’s doing better, thanks. Ern waxes philosophical—everyone has negative times in life; what matters is that they don’t hinder us. Maybe he’s an ogre but her tears touched him. He doesn’t know her well but has the impression that she’s a fighter, one who won’t let stuff conquer her. She looks down shyly—really, he believes that? He assures her he does, but what others think of her is not so important; it’s what she thinks of herself, what she feels she’s worth. Lorena looks up at him thoughtfully, no doubt reflecting on his words and wondering qué the heck happened to the guy in the white coat—is this his good twin or something?

Ernesto continues with his pep talk. Only the worth one has for oneself will help one more forward. He urges her not to let anyone trample on that. The rest of the world can deceive you, but you cannot deceive yourself. Thoroughly bemused, Lorena nods and agrees that he’s right. She smiles and thanks him for saying all this to her. He smiles back and tells her to think on it, meditate about it. They’re just words, but he hopes they serve her well for the rest of her life. She assures him they will, and she’ll never forget that he bothered to come and talk to her. He tells her not to worry about it; the spirit hit him and he just did it. It pleased him to be able to help. She thanks him again. She hands him panqués and tells him they’re to thank him. They play the “please take ‘em” “no, I can’t, really” game for a minute and he finally ends up taking the panqués, which we all know he really wanted anyway. With a huge smile. She wants him to know how much good he’s done for her.

Sara couldn’t wait to show off her new car, and who better to see it first than Alonslow? She’s beat a path to his door. He asks what make her decide to buy it. She tells yet another fib; she’d been thinking on it and couldn’t afford it so her Granny gave her a raise. Right. Wouldn’t Granny be thrilled to know that her cash payment for the car was reported out this way by her Grateful Grandkid? They chat about the car, and Snortensia—whom he’s heard is pretty demanding. He tells Sara not to let Granny down. She offers Al a test drive and he wonders if she knows how to drive. She calls him a goofball and they go.

Maruja’s joined Zulema for a cook-fest. What’s up with Zulema-her eyes are all swollen. Zulema denies there’s anything but won’t make eye contact. It’s from peeling onions. Maru, all cheery, launches into chatter about their kids having so much fun in Acapulco. (We doubt it—the last thing we saw was Rossy sliding the bar across the door so the key won’t open it). They talk about how good the kiddies are for each other—before Rossy, Julián thought he was worthless. Maru tells Zulema it’s great to see how much they care about each other and Zulema is glad someone’s happy. Maruja tries to get it out of Zulema, but no luck. Maru says Zulema can trust her, but Zulema doesn’t want to talk. Maruja frets and sighs.

On the beach, Rossy exults that no one recognizes Julián (hat and dark glasses help). It’s a dream! Julián wants to dream together. Rossy finds a place and wants his help to put on the sunscreen; she’s got the skin of a princess and doesn’t want to burn. (Not just the skin). He doesn’t need any, but he’s thrilled to be of service. Nearby, we note that Chalo’s vacation has Very Coincidentally brought him to this exact spot at this exact time. (Remind me why he’s on vacation if he’s unemployed, etc.?) Chalo thinks this is Too Good to be True. Rossy and Julián go off to the water and the wheels in Chalo’s Little Brain turn. He looks around for a plan.

Zulema and Maruja almost have the orders ready for the day. Zulema continues to tell Maruja about how good Rossy is for Julián’s self-esteem. Zulema is confident he’ll make it to the finals of the game show, too. Maruja tells Zulema about Rossy’s resignation from Snortensia’s place, what brought her to the point of walking out, and the new work that Lorena dragged her into….oops. Maruja knows when to shut up fast. Zulema changes the subject to making deliveries.

Speaking of the Princess and King of Rome, Rossy and Julián frolic in the water. Chalo greasily takes it in from a balcony, the wheels still turning. Sliding back to his seat, he eyes a pretty chica moving into the chair next to him, and his umbrella. He offers to share his umbrella. She doesn’t want to burn, does she? No problem, she just gets dark. The chica smears on high powered oil with no sunscreen. He asks about it and she tells him it speeds up browning—she’ll look like she spent a month in Hawaii. (The grass is always greener, isn’t it? Here she’s in Acapulco and she craves a Hawaii tan. Sheesh). She asks if he’ll watch her stuff while she goes in a second. Well, of COURSE he will. Not just look at it, either. He’ll tamper. Which he does, in one of the silliest looking transfers of liquid matter we’ve ever seen. Still, as telenovela plotlines go, this method of switching the sunscreen for the tanning accelerator works. After all, the point is that Julián’s going to be frustrated for a second straight night when Rossy gets second degree burns with blisters. It’s almost better than having two rooms or Maruja coming with them. [Ed. Note: With any other guy, I’d say we’re getting a treat seeing him in this Speedo with a nice build, etc. But this is Chalo, and that smarmy “mi Reina” has forever wiped any impure thoughts out of your Recapper’s mind]. His shifty eyes scan the environment as he makes the swap. To cap off this latest success, he takes the money out of the wallet that was safely hidden right on top of the table. Back at his seat, he replaces the new novia’s bronzing accelerator on the table and spins his head around several times.

Lorena still moves around, selling panqués in traffic. Sara and Alonslow by some wild coincidence are sitting in this very same traffic. Alonslow registers that Lorena’s out here. She’s selling stuff in the traffic? Sara supposes so. Isn’t the street just a perfect place for her? Alonslow wants Sara to get them the heck out of there, and Sara wonders if he wouldn’t like to buy something from Lorena. Alonslow gets downright irritated and panicky (not good for a surgeon, IMO). They argue and Sara kisses him to get him calmed down. Apparently, the long light turns and they move on.

Lorena clearly has made some friends on the street; several apparently have standing orders—not just Ern. She moves around, selling and thanking folks, making small talk about their orders. She’s done for the day, it looks like, and counts her cash while remembering Ernesto’s words. It doesn’t matter what others think of us, but what we think of ourselves. Never forget what matters. She tells herself she’s important, she’s worthy, she’s capable, intelligent, she can’t think what else at the moment, but she’s going to follow through with all her goals. Lorena sighs and nods in satisfaction and finishes the counting.

The chica with the tan toasts spending time with Chalo and asks him what he does. He gives her a wishy-washy answer about his bidness and taking a vacation after some work he did here. She doesn’t ask what his bidness is, lucky for Chalo. Pobrecita, she notices her bronzing stuff is all gone and it’s so expensive. She looks at him charmingly. Chalo whips out some bills, tells her to go get herself another, and he’ll move their stuff to the other side where they’ll get more sun. She runs off for bronzing stuff and Chalo grabs up their stuff to move away just as Rossy and Julián return. Julián’s living for tonight—it’ll be the best of their lives. Rossy apologizes for the lockout the night before; Julián tells her if she behaves well all will be forgiven. They can enjoy without spies or anything. She puts the glasses on him—and no admirers. Rossy doesn’t want to burn, though, and Julián starts re-applying the supposed sunscreen. Chalo smirks.

Diana’s coming in to work with Bruno in hot pursuit. He wants to talk and she wants to work. He wants her to forget the past and go back with him. She spits out that she can’t believe he presents himself like this at her work, and he grabs her and kisses her. In the lobby. At her reception desk. In broad daylight. Good time for a commercial.

Diana finally breaks away from Bruno’s kiss and backs off. Was she actively engaged? Hm, could be. Don’t do that again, she tells him angrily. Bruno wants her to tell him she didn’t enjoy that, that’s she’s forgotten how good it is, that she felt nothing. If she can say that, he won’t insist more. She just shakes her head and glares at him.

Banshee Barb has videos to watch with Vasco. Hasn’t Diana called? Nope. Didn’t she call his cell? No, that’s why he asked about Diana. Barb is going to enjoy watching the films with him but Vasco wants to call Diana so she can come over and enjoy them, too. Barb sighs. What, no answer? That’s odd. Sure, she’s all busy at work, Barb tells him. Vasco gets an insight and asks if Barb or his Granny have said something to Diana. Barb denies it; how can he even think it? If she makes him happy, she makes Barb and Granny happy, too. Hah. Vasco is skeptical.

Diana’s voice breaks as she passionately tells Bruno that nothing can be the same between them. He gave her so much pain she can’t forget it, can’t pretend nothing happened. She tells him to go and he wants to show her he’s a changed man. He asks for an opportunity; the separation showed him a lot. Diana tells him she doesn’t want to hurt Vasco—what, that’s it, that Vasco won’t suffer? Heck, he’ll be all over it in a few days. Diana can’t ruin her life for Vasco. She retorts that it was already ruined by Bruno. He brings out the “father of your child” argument again and she tells him she’s going to work. Bruno tells her he was wrong, but it’s not too late to fix the mistake. He cares about her and wants to go back with her. She turns around and reminds him that if she told him she felt nothing for him, he wouldn’t insist, so here it is: she feels NOTHING for him. He doesn’t believe it. He’s going to keep after her because he loves her and she loves him. Almost believable. She tells him to just go, please.

Valeria brings Alonslow something in a Ziploc back she thinks he’ll love. Why’s he so serious? Well, he saw Lorena on the street. (Yeah, literally). He shouldn’t be telling Valeria, just forget it. Val insists he should; it’s been recent and these kinds of wounds don’t heal so easily. Alonslow has to change the subject; he never imagined Val would get on so well with his Sis. Val tells him what a great time she had. They’re all so much fun. The Club of Divorcees, he chimes in. Well, now they’ve added a happily married one. Val can’t remember when she laughed so much. She just realized she hasn’t really had friends since she married—in fact, Ickturo separated her from them one by one—he found faults with every one of her friends. (Folks, if she can figure this out, why can’t she figure out what a slime ball he is?) Alonslow wants to know if it was really Ickturo—no one has to like someone they don’t want to. She retorts gently that no one has to love anyone they don’t want to, either. She brightens up and tells him she’s going to nurture her relationship with the gals. They’re really funny and she got on well with them.

Speaking of one of the princesses of Rome, Paula has to chastise herself for thinking that this guy she met in a bar would call and give her a job. Bettina comes in wondering whom Mami is talking to. To the telephone! What? Paula explains sheepishly that she was hoping for a call about some work. Bettina wants to run to the stationery shop and get school supplies-markers and such. Does Paula need anything? No, so Bettina gets a few pesos from Mami and scoots off. The phone rings but it’s just Greta moaning that she hasn’t had any calls, either and reports that Maruja hasn’t. Paula thinks it’s a lost cause.

The boyz in the ‘hood have a pick-up game going. With a basketball. Bettina passes by and gets bonked in the head by the stray ball. A curly haired joven comes to collect the ball and apologize. Bettina scolds him—it hurts. He insists he asked her pardon. The other boys gather behind with huge grins of appreciation for Bettina. He offers to massage it for her. She yells at him to stop it already and the boys all whistle in unison. She looks around at them with a scowl and the boy with the ball asks if she doesn’t like them whistling. No, especially not brats like you and your friends. He looks somber but the others laugh and smirk. The boy with the ball tells Bettina she’s the prettiest girl he’s met and she’s even better when she’s mad. He gives her an air kiss. She looks a little disgusted but turns to go on her way smiling to herself. The boys oooooh at the interact as he joins the game again, grinning a little himself.

Night falls in the D. F. Fanny, Ernesto’s housekeeper, asks if this is all he wants for tea. He asks her “what, only one panqué?” He wants one of each flavor. But he told her to hide them, right? Right, but not to hide them from him, just from visitors. The bell rings, how timely. It’s a visitor. Ern welcomes his sister and asks if she’s brought the design of the logo for the new restaurant. Yes, indeed. The shoes come off, the purse goes on the sofa, the designs come out, and so does Fanny with the platter of panqués. Oops, bad timing. Sis is sooo excited that these are his student’s panqués, the ones she adores. She doesn’t wait to decimate one. His phone rings and he goes to answer it, after a moment’s hesitation when he thought to save his panqués. Ern’s sister is blissful with the corn panqué, but the carrot one is wonderful, too. She’s eating two-fisted. Fanny brings coffee—and gets a big compliment from Ern’s sister. Fanny’s coffee and the panqués are the best. Fanny slides a nervous look at Ern as she rushes back to the kitchen. Finally, Ern’s off the phone and tries to save his panqués—what, is she going to eat them all? They struggle over the panqués. His sister scolds him, she knows him and she’s sure he has more saved out. He tells her to buy her own; he’ll ask Lorena to take care of it if she wants him to. He looks anxiously at the panqué disappearing into her mouth. Sis doesn’t want the temptation in her house because she’ll get fat. Ern points out she’ll get fat eating them at his house, too. Sis tells him not to be so jealous of them. She suddenly asks if he knows why Lorena cried in his class. Of course he doesn’t, why is she asking if she knows him so well, she asks herself out loud. Ern is apathetic and these things don’t concern him much. (This is a Smart Big Sister. She knows that the best way to get something out of him is to tell him she knows he would do the opposite. He’ll tell her just to say “ha, see there!”) He sighs resignedly and tells her she doesn’t know him as well as she thinks, as a matter of fact he did ask. Sis smiles a little too smugly. “You??” He nods.

Maruja brings coffee for herself and a beaming Lorena, who reports that she’s not sure if it was what he said or the way he said it, but the words of her teacher hit her where she lives (llegaron al alma—they arrived at the heart). Maruja can’t imagine him being in plain sight on the street giving good advice like that after the trash she’s heard about him from Lorena and Paty. Lorena chuckles—imagine my surprise! He made your day, right? He left her with her spirits up in the clouds and she got the strength to keep fighting. [Ed. Note: this could be the most cleavage we’ve seen with Lorena. We are sure our male contingent will approve.] She was reminded of the old fellow she encountered when she had just arrived. Maruja teases that there’s nothing old about her teacher. They laugh at the idea. Maruja says he’s young and very handsome, but it seems he also has a great heart. Lorena acknowledges that after what he did, her idea of him has changed radically. She appreciates all his words. They smile at each other and Lorena looks off dreamily into the future.

Ern admits he talked with Lorena, not to ask her specifically why she cried, but to get close to her. You did that?? He tells his Sis he gave her some good advice. His sis is surprised; she never thought he’d try to cheer a student up. Could this one be someone special for him? He looks at her warily, arms crossed and uncomfortable. He admits, though, that he can’t deny she wakes up a feeling of much tenderness in him. His sister cautions him—he could fall in love with her. Ern tells his sister not to worry. The woman who can make him lose his head hasn’t been born yet. (Cradle robber!) His sister asks him who knows? But with all the girlfriends he’s had, she never imagined ending up the sister-in-law of one who sells panqués in the street. The thought kills her! He grins big time. (Another Smart Big Sister Ploy—suggest that this is just an awful thought and he’ll go after it like Michael Phelps after Gold). Then reality hits and he swallows hard at the idea of marrying Lorena. Or anyone.

Lorena is making records on a steno notebook about where she’s taking her panqués to sell. Maruja comments that she’ll have to be very organized. Lorena wants to help pay expenses for the house, and she has to pay for school. Maruja doesn’t ant her to pay for staying with them; Lorena insists she wants to. Maruja points out that Lorena sleeps on the sofa and that’s not a private room, so she shouldn’t be sharing costs. Lorena doesn’t care about that. It’s her way of showing appreciation and no one’s going to stop her. After about three rounds of this “no, you can’t share expenses” and “but, I want to show my appreciation” Maruja finally accepts. And asks Lorena if she can forget the accounting stuff for the moment to go to the movies. They can catch the last showing!

Ern is pleased with the logo designs. Very satisfactory. Sis is happy; Ern is the fiercest critic so if he likes them, probably Raimundo will. Ernesto tells her that he’ll be happy with whatever she selects. She thanks him for his support and apologizes for the disaster her kiddies made in the house the other day. And, she’s eaten all his panqués and he wasn’t mad with her. Something’s happening here. She studies him intently. He tells her he’s maturing. Of course. Well, whatever is softening up his heart, she appreciates it infinitely. Off goes Ernesto’s sister, shoes and bag in hand, out the door. Before the door is even closed he’s calling Fanny for his hidden panqués. She didn’t get the wrong idea and serve up all his panqués, right? Fanny beams. Of course not! She held back some for him. Well, bring them because his glutton of a sister ate all of the others! Fanny chuckles and rushes to get the panqués before the poor man starves. Ernesto talks to an absent Lorena—“I hope that you don’t keep on crying, Lorena.” (Ferro would approve).

Sara and Alonslow chat about her fascination with her auto and she grabs him for a public kiss. Coincidentally, they’re right next to the box office of the only theater in the D. F. Lorena and Maruja get a clear shot of the kiss.

Monday: Lorena asks Zulema if Sara scotched her work with Zulema and got her kicked out of the lesser house. Sara seduces Alonslow, who doesn’t necessarily need much coercion.

Jeanne

Labels: enemiga