Caray, Caray!

Hola, amigos/as – I claim total responsibility for typos, grammar errors, spelling errors, etc. Feel free to pretend there are none.


A nice local gives Zulema and Omar directions to San Martin, only 2 – 3 Km or so away (about a mile or two).

At the San Martin Orphanage, Lorena is receiving the very best news of her life from Alonslow—we may have to rename him as he’s not nearly as slow as he was a week ago – her real parents didn’t abandon her in a dumpster. But she saw the file! He gives her a summary of the story—they’ve been alive the whole time, and close by. Sara falsified it all and Lore’s real parents are Omar and Zulema. Sara wanted Lorena’s place, and Snortensia’s fortune. Our dear naïve Lorena wonders how that could be since they were like sisters? Madre Trinidad notes that Sara messed with them all here. Now Lore understands why she never cared about her parents. Slow points out they’re LORENA’S parents. Slow explains the facts of life to Lore—he’s got the DNA proof. Not a doubt about it. How could Sara do this will all the love she always gave Sara? Lore needs a little time to sort it all out alone.

Another nice local -- in San Martin -- gives Zulema and Omar directions to La Divina Providencia Orfanato, just around the corner. So far, locals are batting a thousand for directions. Well, it IS telenovelaland (great news, since locals rarely can explain effectively where stuff is in their own home towns). Zulema can’t wait and runs for the orphanage. Lore is still sorting when they arrive, with Slow stroking her arms and comforting her about Sara’s betrayal—Lorena wants to go back to the capital and talk with Zulema and Omar.

No need, they’re here. It’s magic. In a tearjerker slow-mo moment they run down the long hallway that is open to the garden, Zulema calling Lorena’s name. The lovely pale blonde daughter and dark brunette mother stroke each other’s cheeks and marvel, Lorena uttering one word over and over: “Mamá, Mamá.” They hug fiercely and even Omar chokes up as Lorena beams at him over her Mami’s shoulder. It’s his turn for a hug….”¡Hija!” Zulema beams through her tears behind Lorena. Waiting discreetly nearby, Madre Trinidad comments to Slow and Madre Carmelita that “they’ve found heaven.” (They’ve gained heaven). On Ferro’s UCS, it’s a 2 or so for all of them—the tears are appropriate and real. Not to mention held in check. No drooling, no dripping noses. All in all, a nice tearjerker for the UCS. Slow tells the Madres that Lorena deserves it (heaven).

The new Happy Family talk about how they hit it off right from the start. Omar reminds Lore about when he told her she’ll always have a family with them. He trusted her. More sweet family reunion talk. Lore will never get tired of saying Mamá. Zulema will never get tired of hearing it. More hugs, more tears.

Maruja and Jaime just have to see how the divorce process is going, so they check with the court. Jaime is sure that Rogelio is probably way far away by now. He speaks for Maruja—the desk clerk takes the details of the paperwork from Maruja, though, and it looks like Rogelio hasn’t put in any appearances, right? All that’s left is for the judge to sign the docs. “Then it’s a done deal?” Maruja has a “that’s way too good to be true” look. Yep, you’re good to go, the gal tells her. Jaime and Maruja hug and giggle.

The Madres with Slow in tow decide the Happy Family is having way too much fun without them and come to introduce themselves. Zulema wants to know if they’ve known Lore forever—yep, they took care of her since she was an infant. Madre Trinidad comments on bawling Lore out, and Lore protests—she was just helping me when I got into messes, Lore vows. And Madre Carmelita was my accomplice. They all laugh and Zulema and Omar thank them for taking such good care of Lore. Zulema calls Slow over, because they owe this happiness to him. Lore and Slow glance at each other awkwardly over Zulema’s head while she beams and the four of them stand arm in arm. [Ed. Note: I hate to say it, but this looks like a family portrait and could be a sign of the future, DRAT.]

Sara has discovered the underbelly of the D. F. and has come to purchase nutritional supplements. The grease ball looks around over his shoulders, then demands his money. Sara hands him a wad; he gives her the capsules in a little plastic baggie and asks if they’re for her. What difference does it make? He just wants her to know that more than three of these and she’s out for the count (you won’t live to tell it, no lo cuentas, my best guess). She thanks him as he goes and mutters to her imaginary friend that’s why she bought them, to get him/her out of this world.

As dark falls, the new Happy Family Reunion is still going on. They marvel at the reunion; Lore can’t believe these are her parents. How she envied Sara for having such a lovely family. Omar notes Sara’s not worth the trouble. Zulema wants to see the silver lining—if Sara hadn’t tried to take Lore’s place, they might never have found out about Lorena. They all smile and coo. Omar comments that Zulema is very positive at the moment and that isn’t always the case. Zulema is the happiest girl in the whole USA—oops, wrong song. She can’t wait to tell the other kids. More rounds of “I loved them from the moment I met them.” Zulema felt guilty liking Lore better than Sara and when she sent Lore away, how bad it was. Lore tells her to forget the sad stuff and more hugs.

The Madres and Slow bring chocolate –because the rompope is all gone, Madre C cracks. Omar wants Slow to fill them in on how he found out the truth. Lore and Slow glance awkwardly at each other again.

Sara is hiding out in her room, breaking the capsules open into the plastic baggie so she’ll have them all ready to pour in a super large serving later. Ready! Looks like very little to actually be fatal. There were 12 capsules, so it should work, though. Then she cuts up newspaper the size of peso bills. That’s a stack of newspapers, all right.

Slow comments that it wasn’t easy to get all the evidence he needed for the DNA tests. Zulema and Lore can’t understand how he could have gotten the samples. He describes getting saliva from Zulema when he “examined” her at her house, and Zulema thanks him for taking evidence illegally. Then he tells about Toribio’s ruses to get into Maruja’s house and get the hair off the brushes for Lore’s sample. Tori was just as interested as Slow in unmasking Sara and getting them reunited with their real daughter. In fact, he was the first to think that it could be Lorena, because of the pathological envy Sara seemed to have for everything Lorena had. Slow conveniently avoids telling about how he tricked Sara and got her hair to prove she WASN’T their daughter. Madre T pipes in—probably Zulema will want to stay over with Lore? YES, of course! Men can’t stay here, so they’ll have to find other digs. The guys assure the Madre they’ll be fine on their own and she makes sure they’ll come for a tasty breakfast, cooked by mother and daughter. Eyebrow raise at Zulema and Lore—who confirm they’ll cook. Lore won’t forget that it was cooking that first brought them together. It’s in their blood, according to Madre Trinidad.

It just sucks to be Chalo. [Ed. Note: Actually, tonight it does.] He’s back in his dismal little rat hole of a room, peeling his designer boots off to reveal white cotton socks. The phone rings — Sara. She better not be messing with him. Oh, no, she understands she can’t play any games with him. He likes that, she knows who calls the shots. You, my king. She invites him to breakfast---to give him his cash. They make their plans. He warns her about messing with him again — she won’t live to tell about it. No, of COURSE not. Sara hangs up and plays with the briefcase of neatly arranged stacks of…money? Or newspapers? Oh, probably 6 of one, ten dozen of the other. She mutters to herself that the one who won’t live to tell about it is him.

Chalo muses bitterly to himself — he’ll have his money tomorrow, but what difference will it make without Barbara? He remembers happy, loving moments and picks up the phone as the dance music plays in his brain. She won’t take his call….okay, so he’ll write a letter. She may tear it up but she’ll at least see it first. He writes……

Sara talks to the baggie. So sorry, it’s your life or mine. A dirge plays in her brain.

Chalo writes….and writes….and crumples the letter…..and crumples the letter…..and has quite a stack building up. Vasco would definitely not like the wasted trees. Chalo crumples another one and sighs, tears misting his eyes as he puts his fist up to his mouth (with the crumpled paper in it). The dirge is playing in his brain now. [Ed. Note: This reminded me of what guys did the night before a duel, setting their affairs in order before they went off to die. Chalo could easily set his affairs in order, because he only had one thing going for him at the time, with Barbara, and no money to leave nor title nor estate.]

Omar and Slow celebrate the family reunion with a drink and snacks downtown at the only hotel. They chitchat about the happiest day of Omar’s life, may there be many more. Omar wants to know if Slow’s going to fight for Lore. Slow thinks out loud. Or does what passes for thinking. He can’t deny he loves her with all his strength. He didn’t start the investigation with that in mind, better said, he felt in debt to her. Slow tells Omar she’s engaged. Omar is mildly impactado, he hadn’t known. Slow sadly points out he let Sara mess with them and lost Lorena through his own blindness. Omar gives him a comforting guy-pat on the shoulder.

Zulema and Lore have changed to jammies and Zulema admires Lore’s precious hair. Lore wonders why she’s so blonde, which surely has been on all our minds, too. Zulema digs deep into her high school genetics and Mendelian inheritance, and notes that one grandparent on each side was a blazing blond(e). Lore is pleased. Then she remembers that she only has one living grandparent—Snortensia. Zulema says that woman doesn’t exist, for all the harm she’s done them. Lore sighs-- it seems Snortensia is very ill. She might never even learn that Lore’s her real granddaughter. Lore goes off on a dangerous path—she’ll never be able to thank Alonslow for reuniting her with her family. How could one repay someone who’s returned one’s family to her? Zulema does some groundwork for Slow—he loves you, daughter. But you don’t? Lore admits she DID love him, lots. Zulema points out that Sara was the demon who messed with them and separated them. Yeah, but he should have trusted me. Zulema agrees—what kind of love is it that doesn’t trust? And, you’re in love with Ernesto, right? Big sigh. Lore can’t say she doesn’t care, but he deceived her. They exchange loving, sad looks while Zulema strokes Lore’s hair.

Ivan’s in his jammies, too, and productively engaged in text messaging when Tío arrives home, forgetting to take his shoes off while he strides into the living room—and the carpet is gone, so maybe that’s why. Ivan greets him and Ern brusquely asks about the sibs. They’ve been asleep for an hour or so. Ern goes off and Ivan calls him back—Ivan wants to take dance classes. With Bettina. The niece of….??? Yep. Ernesto looks pained and Ivan wonders if something’s happened to him. No, nothing. Ivan fishes—you’re like this because Lorena’s gone to her hometown? ¿Qué—how’d you know? Bettina told me….her uncle went to look for Lore there. Ern looks WAY pained and gulps, commercial impactado.

What’s Ivan talking about? Bettina told him about her uncle—he was going there because Lorena was there—but don’t yell! Ern asks his forgiveness. Ivan understands why he’s angry because he’s been cuckolded. Ern hold him off—don’t make my head any hotter than it is. He calls for Fanny. Ivan shushes him and reminds him he’ll wake the kidlets and by the way, you gave Fanny time off early to see her parents. Ern curses and calls her. He “coaxes” her to come back early. She protests, but Ern cites the emergency. Is he mad? No, but PLEASE get here by 7:00.

Church bells toll 7:00 and a rooster crows as the sun rises over the Orfanato “La Divina Providencia” in San Martin. Zulema is already awake, stroking her newly found daughter’s leg, guaranteed to wake Lorena up. It wasn’t a dream? No, Mamá? No, it’s true, finally we’re together. Lorena throws herself at Zulema for a hug. They exchange happy mother-daughter now-we’re-together-I-never-stopped-missing-you-even-though-I-thought-you-were-dead-and-now-no-one-can-separate-us chitchat and loving caresses. Does anyone hear more bells tolling? Nope, that’s more anvils falling.

Ern paces, waiting for Fanny, who rushes in. He thought she’d be there at 7:00! Well, it’s just 7:10….okay, okay. He asks her to see to the kids going to school. Gina and Alex are anxious about what that means—why isn’t he taking them? Well, he has to leave. Why? To see about Lorena. HUH? Ivan comes to Uncle’s defense—he has to take care of bidniss—and sends them off for their stuff. Ivan gives his Uncle some wise advice—he doesn’t know how bad this mess it—but take things calmly, please. Ern tells him he hopes he can. He reminds his uncle that Ern loves Lore and the kids are accustomed to Lore—and Ern replies that he doesn’t know how much Ern really loves her. More deep sighs and angst looks.

Chalo has had a bad night and never changed his clothes, apparently falling asleep on top of the covers. He jumps up—he’s got to meet Sara and wanted to deliver the letter to Barb before that. (The anvils are glistening over his head). He’ll have to do it after he collects. Drat.

In the kitchen at La Divina Providencia, Lore wants Zulema to let Omar guess who made what as they finish off the breakfast prep. Zulema thinks he can’t because they cook too much alike. Slow won’t guess, either. Madre Trinidad joins them. She remembers this smell, since Lore was a little child. [Ed. Note: the temptation is strong here, but I won’t go there.] They chitchat about who fixed what dishes and how much alike they cook. Madre T is surprised, but why should she be, this is telenovelaland?

Omar and Slow are doing their part, entertaining the little girls with a game on the lawn. Poor Omar can’t keep up and thinks he’s got a sprain. Luckily, there’s a doc in the house. Omar thinks it’ll pass. One little girl flirts with Al—he should play with them. She puts her hands around his waist and he beams at the attention while the other girls whine about her. Omar wants them to give him a chance. They begin to bat the giant ball around again. Does this game have a structure and rules, or what? It’s definitely not 4-square.

Sara’s ready for her big day. She’s ordered breakfast, apparently for both her and Chalo, and all that remains is for Chalo to show. She thanks the waiter and waits until he leaves to pour the nutritional supplements into Chalo’s OJ, stirring it well into the commercial.

In a lovely jungle setting, Vasco enters the office of a guy who is clearly In Charge. Vasco asks if he’s Don Filomeno, the guy in charge of the Forest Resources. Yeah, so? Well, Vasco and his folks have come to release the parrots bred in captivity for this not-for-profit (non-governmental) program (I think that’s what he’s saying – loros=parrots, crías=bred), “Mundo Inhibido.” Oh, yeah, you’re the guys getting involved with the rainforest (selva=rainforest, jungle), huh? Yeah. But it seems that the forest where they’re supposed to release the parrots isn’t there any more, someone clear-cut it. Vasco folds his arms and waits for an answer. The guy gets muy defensive—those are just birds, for Pete’s sake. Can’t they go hunt for another tree? There AREN’T any trees. The reproduction project is worthless without their habitat, which you’re destroying. PSA for preserving the tropical rainforest, folks. The guy wants to know what Vasco wants him to do about it. Vasco tells him—come along when they get the police out there. Oh, I see. You’re pretty sure of yourself. Yeah, Vasco affirms. Look, kid, you don’t know who you’re messing with here (more anvils glistening. Will Vasco get out without another head blow?) Find some other place to release your feathered friends. Don’t screw around with us here (fregar). Vasco’s jaw is set and square. We know that look. You aren’t going to do a thing?? What can I do? Vasco tells him fine, he’ll just talk to the Municipal President. Don Filomeno recommends again that Vasco just doesn’t mess around here and get in huge trouble. Vasco wonders if he’s threatening or really is involved with the clear-cutting (taladores – from talado, felling, people who fell trees). The guy yells back that what he doesn’t like is some furriner coming in to tell him what’s what. Vasco fumes at him and strides out. The guy sits down, sighs, ponders a second, and phones a buddy. Don Gervasio, did your boys cut some trees near the ceibas (kapok trees)? Ah, so that’s why there’s this kid down from the capital complaining. According to him they were going to release some parrots. Uh-huh. And the locals are ready to point them out to you. [Ed. Note: last sentence was a bugger. Any ideas on translation?] You can stop it.

Chalo is wayyyy too cheerful for his last day on this earth. He thinks he’s getting his 2-mil pesos. What, she already ordered breakfast? Sara retorts she’s been here a half-hour waiting. That’s how he likes her, a little bristly. Okay, now his money. She plops the briefcase in front of him and he’s ready to count it but she pushes the lid back down and reminds him they’re in public — “Here? Don’t even think about it.” Oh, okay, don’t want anyone to see him and then assault him. He shuts it and sets it beside him. He raises his orange juice glass in salute and takes a tiny sip. He remarks about her going to the devil and she retorts that she was thinking this would be the last time they see each other. He smirks — Does she really think so? Stop pretending! She asks if there was ever a time he cared about her. He asks if it bothers her that the whole world hates her now and he keeps drinking. She’s earned that hate, after all. Just answer my question, she demands. Well, yeah, I’ve told you — you’re the closest thing to love I’ve known. Until Barbara came along. Sara watches the OJ disappear from the glass down Chalo’s doomed throat. He continues that even if he never gets back with Barbara, she will always be the love of his life. Sara tells him adios, Chalo, and he retorts “until never.” She picks up her purse to go as he keeps drinking the OJ, telling himself “Chalo, I’ll never understand these old gals.” Sara gives an evil grin as she watches through the plate glass. And he keeps drinking the OJ as she strolls off into oblivion. Wait, he’s the one going to oblivion.

Slow is having a great hair day in San Martin. Lore greets him, a flower over her left ear. In Hawaiian culture, that means her heart is taken (left side, same as heart and wedding ring). She cheerily tells him his timing is good, chow’s on. He tells her she’s gorgeous. She thanks him—and he realizes it’s not for the compliment. That’s a new twist. He says she doesn’t need to thank him. He just got the threads tied together. She tells him nevertheless, without him it wouldn’t have happened. He knew what her greatest desire in life was, and couldn’t stand by with his arms crossed. She’ll appreciate it all her life. What does she plan to do about Sara? Well, not think about that today, for starters. She’s so happy it doesn’t matter. Slow thinks she’s so noble! He’s kicking himself for losing her. Let’s not go there. He mutters that he’s paying for having believed the snake.

Omar breaks up this happy scene with the little girls in tow—everyone’s hungry! Great, because breakfast is ready! She takes her Papi’s arm and walks away with him and the little girls, Slow looking wistfully after them.

Chalo gets as far as the sidewalk outside the restaurant with the briefcase when the drugs hit him hard. He mutters to himself that something’s not agreeing with him and staggers along for several steps, then a car almost hits him and the briefcase falls open. He sees all the cut up newspapers littering the ground, realizes Sara’s betrayed him and curses her, holding some of the worthless paper. But the pain in his gut is stronger than his anger, and he wonders what Sara has done to him. Suddenly, Chalo’s on the ground convulsing for about 30 seconds with his eyes rolling around in his head and his limbs jerking, falling off the curb into the street, and gagging into a commercial.

Chalo is still surrounded by littered money-shaped newspaper, convulsing, but he’s managed to get his cell phone into his hand when a crowd begins to gather. A girl asks him what’s wrong and an older fellow says Chalo’s having an attack. Brilliant! His tongue lolls out of his mouth a little as he tries to talk. Someone says they need to get him an ambulance. Any bets on what Public Clinic he’ll end up in? He hands the younger woman the phone, and she asks if he wants her to call someone. Duh. He can’t talk, though, because his convulsions are in high gear.

The phone rings. Barbara answers and hears the young woman ask for her. Yes, what? The girl describes helping a young man who has been in an accident and is in bad shape, who wanted the girl to call Barbara. What’s his name? He wallet had a card that said “Gonzalo Carrasco.” What happened? Barbara’s concern shows. The girl describes how he ended up in the street, convulsing. She’s called the ambulance (the Red Cross). Barbara shakes with alarm, speechless.

Maruja apparently hasn’t been disabused of a double wedding yet, because she’s telling Rossy what she does and does NOT want at her wedding. She doesn’t like Rossy’s kind of music and Rossy doesn’t like her Muzak (that she hears at the supermarket). Maru tells Jaime to advise Rossy that they don’t want their wedding to be a disco, and Rossy tells Julian to advise the viejos that this is 2008 and not the last century. Jaime tells Julian it’d be nice if someone asked them, and Julian agrees—they are the grooms, after all. Maruja interjects that Jaime’s the classical type. Well, Julian told Rossy that whatever she likes is fine by him. Maruja thinks Rossy’s preferences are going to make for an absurd wedding. Rossy protests and Jaime and Julian call for silence. Julian tells the girls that if they keep it up, neither Jaime nor he will want to marry the girls. Maruja sees Jaime’s face and suggests they forget the music for the moment and concentrate on the food. Sure, Rossy wants sushi. Maruja is scandalized. She wants Italian! Jaime’s good sense prevails—he prefers Mexican food and Julian seconds the motion. They’re the majority vote, and therefore, it’ll be Mexican. Rossy pouts and Maru rolls her eyes, but smiles a little.

Bruto is back figuring the expenses again, which is guaranteed to provoke something or other. He asks Diana why she’s not talking to him. She ignores him and he yells that he’s talking to her, so respond already like other folks! She keeps doing house work things. She’ll do it when he treats her like other folks! As her head comes up, we see the remains of the last beating. (Really slick wife beaters do it where it won’t show to the world; Bruto is either too stupid or really too sicko to figure this out). He tells her he’s going to treat her however he feels like. He begins to yell and she tells him to keep it down or he’ll wake up Saul. Bruto yells that the baby is awake all night so he can sleep all day. How come he doesn’t understand schedules!? Diana suggests that Bruto tries taking care of him all day to see what it’s like. Stay with the baby while she goes to see her folks. Bruto beats on the table and yells. Nope, it’s her obligation. She accuses him of machismo and he actually agrees and tells her not to give him reasons to lose his patience. She collects up some dishes and starts off to another room. They fuss some more and he complains about the expenses; she points out they don’t need to live in such an expensive apartment. He got it to take care of her and her baby. She sighs and continues to the other room.

Toribio has tons of points for bringing a dozen pink roses to Catalina. She’d love to invite him in but…..he understands, that’s okay. She thanks him for breakfast (gee, she didn’t get any of the OJ by any chance, did she?), the chat and the…..(breathe deeply) roses. He thanks her for putting up with that crazy woman, Amalia. (Bad move, Tori, Catalina had almost forgotten that unpleasant moment). She looks at him reproachfully over the roses. He stutters that he hopes it’s clear he doesn’t want to see her again, not even in a photo. What an old nutcase, Catalina tosses in. She tells Toribio he was lucky not to fall into her clutches. (Who’s going to warn him about YOUR clutches?) Tori says he’s lucky that he can fall into others (another reproachful look)—well, not clutches, but the lovely little hands that he’s touching. And he strokes her hand while she shyly smiles over her roses. Tori beams at her. He’s just tremendous, Catalina simpers. He kisses her hand and she tells him she’ll let him go now. Until soon, he fondly tells her…..and calls her “lovely thing.” (primor) She smiles broadly and so does he as he slowly gets on his way, looking back…..

Arturo is involved in a hot game of computer solitaire and Jacqui is involved in a hot bowl of popcorn. She wants to know what he’s up to. What does it matter to her? She leans in and sees the game—now she knows how he wastes his time. And she doesn’t? She scowls, pretty sure she’s been zapped. Catalina carries her roses in by them, humming and gliding along, actually smiling at Jacqui. Those flowers, Mama? They call them roses, Catalina informs Ickturo as she gets a vase to put them in. Didn’t he know? Who GAVE them to you? Better she tells them right away—a suitor gave them to her. What?? Jacqui calls the suitor a poor man. Ickturo sits up and challenges his Mami—are you seeing someone? Why not? Catalina gives as good as she gets, and her smile drops a little but swiftly returns when she points out she’s still alive and feels better than ever. Ickturo pries for details—name, what does he do? Some day you’ll meet him, Mami assures her only offspring. She smiles and glides away. Ickturo fumes and Jacqui smirks a little. Ickturo thinks the old gal’s nuts, behaving like a quinceañera. Jacqui retorts that he should give up the Oedipus complex. (Someone finally called it what we’ve been thinking!) He fusses at her comment and she stalks out after spitting back at him; Ickturo goes back to his game, fuming, but can’t concentrate.

We recognize the desk at People’s Clinic #23. Barbara rushes in to find out what’s happening with Chalo. Have they brought him here? The clerk looks up his name.

In an emergency room bay, the doctor and nurse comment on the poor boy. The doc says at his age they think they can do everything; he’s seen many young men like this. She finishes taking blood, and he tells her to get it to the lab to see if they’ll be in time. Chalo’s shirt is off, and he’s hooked up to all kinds of machines.

Barbara paces the waiting room. Must feel like home by now to her—this and the court lobby. The doc approaches—is she family of the young man? His friend. How is he? Barbara is desperate. He’s pretty bad. Did she know he was an addict? No. Barbara’s expression is grim. The doc asks for total honesty—whatever clue she might have about what he’s overdosed on, please share with the doc. Barbara is impactada; she had not even the least idea that he took drugs. Does she know any other family or person they might ask? No, he only has me. Barbara is close to tears. Well, then they’ll just have to wait for the lab tests. The doc hopes Chalo’s gotten there in time. She wants to see him, but the doctor thinks his situation is too serious and it’s not wise. Barbara begs. The doctor takes her to Chalo.

Vasco’s breakfast doesn’t include OJ, thank heaven, and the guy eating with him is one of the Good Ones in the jungle. The guy warns him they need to be careful—after all, they’re strangers there. Vasco doesn’t care. Someone has to pay attention and help them. Another guy comes to their table with a gift, all wrapped nicely. His boss sent this. He hands it to Vasco. Who’s your boss? Don Gervasio Arriaga. The guy gives a long, hard look at the guy eating with Vasco, then strolls off. Vasco opens it. He’s disgusted, mutters under his breath, and stands up in anger. It can’t be, those bast**ds. His breakfast buddy thinks they’d better go. (In the box it looked like there was a dead parrot, or a dead parrot’s decapitated head). No, they’re not going. It’s personal now. The breakfast buddy holds the box with the feathered creature in it and Vasco calls over the waiter. Where can they find Gervasio Arriaga? The boy looks frozen.

Barbara talks to an unconscious Chalo lovingly. He’ll get well, because he’s very strong. Chalo’s lips move and he makes a clicking/gagging sound in his throat because he’s been entubated and can’t actually talk. What are you trying to tell me? Barb strokes his forehead. The monitors look like his vital signs are fairly normal, but he’s still not in this world. She kisses his head. (Ooops, she’s left Snortensia to Sara if Augusta has gone off to the reading of the will!) Barb calls him her heaven, her life. He flat lines. She tries to revive him, to get some response, and screams for the doctor. Barbara begs Chalo not to leave her; she’s sorry for all she said to him. She loves him!!! The tears come. She begins to scream his name in earnest as the doctor pulls her away and the nurse pushes her out of the room. They zap his heart. Nothing. They hit him with more juice. Nothing. Barbara sinks against the wall as they pull a sheet over Chalo’s head. She weeps in slo-mo as the violin music plays in her head into the commercial.

Madre Trinidad sure can entertain the troops and keep ‘em howling. At the breakfast table all the niñas have obviously been dismissed because Lore and her whole group are seated entirely on one side of the table and no one is on the other, very weird. Madre T’s got them up for grabs with a story about Madre Carmelita climbing up a lemon tree and yelling about her legs. Madre Trinidad can’t contain her own howling, though, and if not for the captions your recapper would be lost for sure. Madre Carmelita begs her not to tell the story, but Madre T is not to be deterred. But, it’s so funny! She continues the story. As Madre C yelled “my legs” they all thought she’d broken one, or something, but actually she had hooked her habit on the tree and her legs were showing! Madre T says it was like she was wearing a mini-skirt. More howling and clapping. Madre C scolds her gently for telling this, and Madre T remarks that we have to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and she’s got pretty good legs, anyway. Madre C hangs her head and chuckles. Now she’s going to tell one on Madre Trinidad. More howling and clapping. Nope. Don’t even think about it. The room gets silent fast. She’s the superior, eh? Chuckling, but Omar checks his watch and it’s time to get on the road. Lore cajoles that they’re having such a good time, and couldn’t they stay a little while more, Papa? He smiles indulgently, gives her a little hug and tells her yes. They talk Slow into staying, too. It was all so wonderful! Hugs and laughs.

At the People’s Clinic #23, there are only tears for Barbara (UCS 7, some drooling and nose dripping), and regrets. The nurse brings Barbara her “nephew’s” things. There is a letter with Barbara’s name on it, much to her surprise. She opens the simple handwritten note on lined paper that was torn out of his spiral notebook and reads it—hearing his voice saying the words, and seeing black and white flashbacks of lovely times with Chalo.

“Before I depart, I want to tell you how much I appreciate you showing me that life can be good, without giving any importance to age differences, nor money differences, nor any of those things that sometimes preoccupy you. You succeeded in respecting me for myself, and at your side I felt like I wanted to learn and become a better person, also to laugh, pass time well, and ….you know.”

Barbara groans in agony.

“And with you I discovered what they call love. Fight for your dreams, your projects, your ideals. Even from afar I will always be thankful for all you have given me. And I hope—who knows—let me go with this hope, that you will forgive me all that I have made you suffer. It wasn’t my intention, I swear to you. I take leave of you telling you that I love you. And I will never forget you. Again, forgive me. Your Chalo.”

Barbara folds the letter again, and tells herself that he killed himself for her while the violin music plays in her head.

[Ed. Note: Now that Chalo is dead, he can’t tell the name of the forger, can he? He also can’t tell where the originals might be hidden. Not that it matters….but if they could prove Sara deliberately usurped Lore’s position, and didn’t just “accidentally” take her place because it wasn’t clear from the orphanage paperwork, they might could put the girl away for a crime.]

Back at the Greater House, Nurse Augie efficiently brings a tray, but it must be for her, because we have no evidence that Snortensia can swallow coffee. Sara strides in and asks if Barbara is with her Granny. Nope, Sra. Barbie left. Joaquina is helping care for Snortensia. Sara snarls at Nurse Augie not to give her that look of the guard dog. Sara’s not thinking of getting near Granny. She’d better not. Nurse Augie goes off to her patient, and Sara checks her watch. Chalo is surely dead by now. Yep, he has to be. She muses to herself that if what they say about the first murder being the hardest, it’ll be easier to kill you, Granny. She glances over her shoulder at the stairs so we know she means to do that pretty soon. Then we get that intense Sara-preparing-more-evil look.

Lore and Zulema are saying their farewells to the Madres. Lore never thought this trip would be the best of her life. Madre Trinidad is happy that it was there in her long-time home she reunited with her parents. Madre C talks about this gift of God, and it was one for them, too. Zulema tells them they’ll be back soon, because the Madres have to meet Zulema’s other children. Yep, and the nephew and his auntie! The nuns marvel at the enormous new family and Lore’s finally ready to hug them and go. She’ll never forget that they were her first family. Hugs. Well, since her Papa and Slow have delayed so much getting back, Lore and Zulema better just go find them. The nuns walk them out. Slow is finished packing the car when Lore finds him. Madre C goes off to greet someone else, and Lore and Slow talk about how she feels, happy about her family. It’s the best gift of her life. Now all that’s left is to confront Sara. Lore agrees; she’s not one to hold grudges or rancor, but Sara has to pay for all the harm. Lore just can’t forgive her. She gets sad and he gives her a hug, stroking her back comfortingly. Timing is everything, because Ernesto is arriving just in time to see the hug. He is muy impactado and Put Out. Ern calls out her name, and she turns, impactada to see him there. Slow is impactado-irritated. Ernesto’s face registers hurt, too.

Monday: What will happen now that Ernesto has found Lorena in Alonslow’s arms? Will the boys beat the stuffing out of each other?

Jeanne

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