Caray, Caray!

By my count, there are three more weeks plus a two-hour Gran Final. Let’s see how it plays out. The end is coming soooooooon…..any bets? A two-hour Gran Final on Sunday November 23? I’m just saying……. (And sorry for the typos and stuff).

Hortensia says her thanks and goodbyes to Joaquina, who tells Hortensia she’s going to visit the family and to contact her if Hortensia gets her apartment, and then takes the suitcase downstairs. Nurse Augie is left with Hortensia, who is wondering how she can stay strong with all this—she earned her own isolation. They both look pensive, and Hortensia says it’s time to go, so they do. Omar shows up at Hortensia’s just as she says her last farewell to the big house, and offers her the opportunity of a lifetime to live in the lesser house. Hortensia gives him a big hug and tells him she doesn’t deserve it. He reassures her. She worries that not everyone in the lesser house might buy it and he assures her they agree. Then she worries about Nurse Augie, who assures Hortensia if she needs Augie, Hortensia knows where to find her. Hortensia thinks she’ll lack nothing in the care of her family. She hugs Omar again. Aw.

While Bárbara plays with Saulito, Diana and Vasco muse over this turn of events—after all she’s done, Hortensia’s coming to live in the lesser house? But, what else could they do? Vasco is surprised at what she’s done. Diana has to admit she was the only one against it. But in the end, this is an old lady who needs help. Vasco is just a sourpuss about it all but Bárbara notes that life has some weird turns, that her mother in law ends up in the house with the son she rejected and in this neighborhood! Vasco doesn’t want her commentary. Okay, I said it ugly, but it’s the truth, Bárbara acknowledges. Diana points out that it’s just Vasco who hasn’t forgiven the old gal. He doesn’t think he can because of what Hortensia did to him. To them. He looks pointedly at Diana. Diana tells him he can’t go on living with that bitterness.

Omar’s voice calls Lorena and Diana while he helps Hortensia into the house. Santa Lorena greets her Granny with open arms and a big welcome. Granny thanks her—how can she look Lorena in the eye?—she knows it was Lorena who pulled it off for her. Hortensia did Lore wrong and Lorena has given her life back. Twice. The isolation would have killed her, too. Santa Lorena tells Granny they’ve been sad enough. She wants her Granny to feel good. [Ed. Note: Their hair is almost the same color.] Where else could she be but with her family? Hortensia hugs her and Lore calls her “Abuela.” She likes the sound of it and repeats it, Hortensia and Omar smiling indulgently at her.

Alonslow is back in the land of the living, his zombie phase over. He needs to get his class preps done [remember those, Susanlynn? What you’re supposed to be doing instead of reading this? ;-) ] Bettina teases him about coming over to make sure he had a distraction and he’s back to our serious-minded Alonslow, not needing distractions. He’s pleased with his classes and all’s well with the world. Bettina quizzes him about the students, and he tells how they were all nervous at first but little by little they’re getting on. Toribio is excited—that’s my boy! Paula smiles, pleased to see her brother with a good close shave. [Okay, I added that.] Alonslow takes their hands in a family solidarity gesture and thanks them for being there for him (their support). Paula reminds him they’re his family, and they’re all together in this. Toribio is easily distracted even if Slow isn’t—he’s back to the card game. Smiles all around.

Jaime, Maruja, Julián and Rossy have brought a party to the lesser house. After greetings, Jaime tells Hortensia how happy he is to see her there, she is clearly a different person, and by the way, wouldn’t she like to help with their little start-up company? Hortensia is honored, but she wants to be sure everyone agrees. She faces off with Rossy—it seems that Rossy isn’t pleased with this. Rossy, totally direct as always, tells Hortensia she remembers how it was in Hortensia’s company….and Hortensia affirms that what Jaime has observed is true. She’s not the same person. That woman doesn’t exist. Rossy gets a little smile. Hortensia says they might not all believe it, but if they give her a try, she’ll prove herself. Rossy says if Lorena vouches for Hortensia, she’ll go with the program (who am I to question?). Smiles all around, and the bell rings. Lorena, almost the farthest from the door, jumps up to grab it. It’s Diana, Barb, and Saulito. Diana greets Hortensia, Bárbara remarks on how nifty it is she’s found her family again (“I’m in awe!” Tengo ojo cuadrado), and everything is resolved. Well, not quite everything. Where’s my grandson? Son of a gun, the kid’s smiling and bringing her a bonsai plant, “¡aquí, Abuela!” Was there a break I missed when he had a total 180? Vasco’s SMILING, too! He’s brought the tree as a sign of affection and respect. He couldn’t stay Put Out (fighting) with her. Hugs, claps, smiles. Clearly, there’s a fiesta to come. Hortensia thanks everyone and Omar urges them all to toast.

Time passes? Lorena’s back for a visit with her Mami, and tells Zulema that her Granny lives with them now. [If that doesn’t bring Zulema back from the dead, nothing will.] Lorena tells her Mami that she forgave her Granny from the bottom of her heart, and it wasn’t just lip service, It took a weight off her (rested her soul) that in spite of everything, they could have such affection after all. Zulema keeps breathing with the O2 tube.

More time passes? Lorena tells Zulema everything that is happening in all their lives. We hear her voice, and see the scenes she describes, as if in the haze of a coma. “Cooking with Joy” has never had a better team, and Ern works well with Lorena. [That’s my take, not what Lore told Zulema.] Lorena tells her Mami about what’s happening on the program and we see it play out—she’s never had more work and she’s loving it. She tells Zulema about school—it’s going marvelously. She tells Zulema about her brother and Rossy. He’s overcome his sadness, and he and Rossy are getting better together all the time. We see Rossy and Julián laughing and walking together. The business is building/growing/improving little by little, due to everyone’s hard work.. We see Jaime and Maruja planning, Bárbara marketing by phone, Hortensia tasting with Maruja, Rossy, Patty and Lorena looking on for the verdict….which is a HUGE grin. Is it just me, or is Snorty’s nose smaller? Laughs and hugs in the kitchen. Lorena tells Zulema about her grandson, Saulito. He’s more lovely and looks more like Zulema all the time. He has his first tooth and she’ll teach him to say Zulema’s name. Lorena tells Zulema that her Papa is the only one who is more sad all the time. He must miss Zulema very much.

Times passes, and this time we are pretty sure of it because she’s wearing a different outfit than when she started the daily diary with Zulema. Lorena addresses her Mami directly after telling her the whole story of what’s happening, person by person. “Mama, you need to wake up already.” They all miss her and they are all waiting for her. Alonslow appears at the door of the room and Lorena lights up, whispering his name, while he looks like he wants to sink through the floor. He cheers a little when he sees her smile. They chitchat about their visits to Zulema—the nurses have told her he never stops coming. He affirms it and wonders that they’ve never crossed paths—she comes every day, right? Yep. Lorena explains that she comes to “keep her up to date with everything that’s happening.” She’s been like this for four months. [Ed. Note: apparently, time WAS passing.] Lorena still has high hopes for Zulema coming back. More chitchat. What’s up, how has he been? Slow tells her he’s giving classes at the university. Great! And he watches her on television, never misses it. He tries out her recipes. Really? Yep, he’s learning to cook, thanks to her. Lorena abruptly decides it’s time to run and excuses herself. Slow tells her how glad he was to see her. She tells her Mami goodbye and gives her a kiss, barely acknowledging Slow as she charges out. Slow stands, arms crossed, wooden as ever.

In the waiting area, Ern has come looking for Lorena. He’s come for her and she realizes it’s late—he’s waiting as if he was her chauffeur. That’s the least of it, he assures her. Alonslow comes out of Zulema’s room behind her. She sees Ern’s look at the door over her shoulder, turns, sees Slow, and uncomfortably says “let’s blow this pop stand.” (Okay, I elaborated). Ern sighs and heads away, saying NOTHING. [Ed. Note: Good boy!] Slow is stewing his own juices. That’s what he deserves, Slow tells himself. (That is, Ernesto deserves her. Agreed.)

Omar has looked Greta up again and they’re having coffee. He tells her the past months have been tough for him. He feels very lonely – he sees no benefit in fooling himself. Zulema’s not going to recover. He’s tried to be a good son, a good father, but still feels really empty, lonely. Greta really gets him built up/excited. He’s thought about her the entire time, more than she can imagine. He wants her to give him a try again. This time he won’t deceive her. Greta just sits and listens, looking a little wary but it could be part of her act. [Oh! Who said that? (looking behind my shoulder)].

At the lesser house, night has descended and Hortensia is talking to Samuel Armengol, the big guy who does her heavy lifting. [Ed. Note: nice to see that Snorty hasn’t done a full 180, but reserves the worst part of herself for Sara.] She notes that he hasn’t communicated in months. He wants to know why she’s so upset he hasn’t found anything set in stone? He’s been onto something, but doesn’t have all the news they need—he thinks he’s found something important, though. Sara took off for Sydney four months ago. She had a ticket on a private (redondo) trip, but never returned. Hortensia spits out that if her plane crashed, that would be some punishment. Samuel will try to determine Sara’s whereabouts (paradero) or whatever info he can find, then call Hortensia later. Lorena comes in the door. She’s brought Granny’s meds. Lore wants to know who she was talking with and Snortensia lies—Uncle Jaime. Is her Papi home? Yep. He hasn’t gone to say hi to his Mami. Hortensia thinks maybe he’s fed up with having her here. Santa Lorena, always in the middle, tells Hortensia it’s because he must have had a bad day at the office because he’s got that look. Doesn’t even want to eat. Hortensia takes that as a bad sign. Maybe it’s because she’s a burden. Lorena gives her a fond scold—how can you think that? She smiles gently. She’s got to go study—tomorrow is the test. They say goodnight. Snortensia muses to herself about Sara off traveling. How lucky for her, the b***h.

In the living room, Lorena greets Omar, who doesn’t want to eat when she asks, is super serious and wants to talk with her about something REALLY important. About what? The last few months you’ve shown that you’re the real head of this family. Santa Lorena humbly says she’s his daughter, nothing more. The real head of the family has been, and continues to be, Omar. He denies it—they don’t really need him. They’re adults, her and her siblings. Lorena frowns. Why is he saying all this? He stammers that he needs her understanding. [Is an anvil falling?} He’s gone back with Greta. Lorena frowns, long commercial impactidíssima.

Lorena confronts Omar—he PROMISED he had broken off with Greta. Yeah, he followed through. That was then, this is now. She even resigned from work. He defends himself…but Lorena is too akamai (astute, wise, NOT a Spanish word—Hawaiian, and the best one I know to describe her now). So, qué the h*** happened? Omar goes on his best version of pathetic offensive—he’d give his live if Zulema could get well, but it’s not happening, etc., and he feels so lonely, etc. Hablablablabla. It’s impossible. Lorena figures out he’s going after some other woman. That woman. Her look of reproach should do him in, but a higher force is calling him…..you can guess what that might be….. He again tries to convince Lore if there’s anyone who has loved her Mami it’s him, and she’s just not part of this world. Lorena insists her mother will come back, and the first one she’ll ask for is him. What will they say? That he’s gone off with a woman taking advantage? No, he’s not going to permit that. He tries to convince her it’s not taking advantage. He’s made a decision. What? He’s going to live with Greta. He’s going today. Lorena’s look of anguished reproach would kill any other man who didn’t have a lifetime supply of Viagra.

The viejas are back to their card games, and Greta is NOT the life of the party, for a change. Maruja and Paula wonder what’s up with that. Wake up, woman! Greta waxes philosophical. Every day, it’s more difficult for them to find happiness. Paula tells her to give it up (suéltalo-let it go, tell us). Maruja seconds it—no more beating around the bush. Who is her boyfriend? Huh? Greta finally makes eye contact. Omar. Your brother-in-law. Maruja’s grin fades. Paula yells at Greta—“you’re back with him?” Maruja is impactada—what do you mean, “back with him?” She glares at Paula, who is only the messenger, after all. Paula blurts out that this one (Greta) messed with Omar since before Zulema was laid low. “¿QUÉ?”

Lorena is appalled that Omar plans to move in with Greta. How CAN he do that? Diana hears the fussing and comes to find out what it’s about. Lorena, still incensed, tells her Papi to say it if he has the courage. Omar says he’s fallen in love with someone else and he’s going to live with her. Lorena clarifies it’s Greta, with all her outrage showing. Diana accuses him of not really loving her Mamá, so little is his love lasting, and he’s given her up for dead. Omar has a hard time making eye contact. He protests, trying to explain himself. Why don’t they want to understand? Diana says she’ll never understand and if he goes, she’ll forget he exists. Why are they being so drastic, he asks—even if he doesn’t live here, they are still his daughters. That will never change. What? That won’t change? Lorena is incensed. This is a BETRAYAL!!! He retorts they are only keeping her alive through artificial treatment. Oh, Sure. Lorena isn’t buying his arguments. He tells her not to say things she’ll regret and she tells him not to make her ashamed that he’s her father. Stalemate, two stubborn souls have faced off.

Maruja wonders if Greta has gone nuts. Maybe. Crazy with love. Paula thinks she’s become a….and Greta interrupts that Paula doesn’t need to insult her. What does she want, Maruja wonders, applause? Greta is doing a semi-convincing job of crying. Support, that’s what she expects from her friends. She looks back and forth desperately. Maruja points out that Zulema got that operation because she wanted her husband back. If Greta had any decency, she would have kept herself way apart from Omar, after this misfortune. [And no one has pointed out that Zulema BEGGED Greta to help her nail the other woman, whom Greta denied existed.] Greta asserts she did it, kept herself away from him. But Paula zaps her on being immoral, no matter what she says. Greta protests that she’s only taken what life offered. The two of them have experienced the loneliness, they should understand! Paula look indignant. Maruja is just angry and disgusted.

Omar tells the girls not to tell Julián; he wants to tell them personally. Hortensia accosts him—what about her? Didn’t he think about telling her, or is she just a piece of the furniture? Omar is impactado to see her in the room. Mama? Well, is he going to answer her or not? She asserts she doesn’t have the moral qualities to scold him, but she’s just saying—if he is convinced that this woman is good for him (suits him), then he wouldn’t be going in the middle of the night, fleeing with his head hung low. He retorts that he doesn’t want to be reproached. Diana and Lorena jump up in harmony—Diana spits out to “Let him GO! He’s obviously decided.” Lorena tells him he’s leaving them alone when they most need him. He protests that he has an opportunity to be happy again. Sorry if that makes you suffer, and that’s not my intent. Lorena nails him with “ask my mother’s pardon when she wakes up and you’re not at her side.” Hortensia is all disapproval. [Ed. Note: Me, too.] He looks back at his Mami. She shakes her head in disapproval and he turns to leave with his suitcase. The girls cry, sigh, and grieve while Hortensia is thoroughly annoyed at her son.

Maruja and Paula talk the new turn of events over in the car. Maruja wonders how Paula could have helped cover this all up with Greta and Omar. No, Paula asserts, she didn’t cover up anything. She nailed Greta, who said she’d end it with Omar, even to the point of quitting her job. She begs Maruja not to be mad with her. Maruja mutters that Greta is shameless. Look at how our friendship with her has ended! Paula tells her not to feel so bad—this isn’t worth the trouble, to have her as a friend or ANYthing. Maruja is pensive.

Speaking of the King and Queen of Rome, the bell rings at Greta’s house and she runs to greet Omar, suitcase in tow, and one hand humbly in his pocket. He’s ready to be henpecked. She wants him to be comfortable—this IS his house. A grinning Greta pushes a grinning Omar into the living room. Does he want a drink to relax him? She talks 90 miles a second—she understands it must have been hard to leave his family. Yup. No one bought what he’s doing here. She tells him the only ones who are important here are the two of them. Greta inundates him with kisses.

Maruja arrives home gloomy to find Jaime hard at work. Jaime was waiting for her to call to come and get her. Maruja sighs—Paula brought her. Why isn’t she giving him a kiss? Because she is FURIOUS! She just learned stuff about his brother and her poor former friend. Maruja crosses her arms in annoyance and Jaime is impactado.

Vasco has a new job, selling seedlings to kids on the street. A kid asks what the tree is and Vasco explains, it’s an “abeto” (fir) and it’s one that can become a great forest, if we plant a whole bunch. It could serve to improve the air in an entire city. Wow, the kid sighs. Patty appears to be helping and she’s already planted a bunch. Vasco comments that the campaign was a total success. She notes that the kids had a real feel for it, more than the adults. They want to really save the planet. Well, her, too. He’s delighted she feels that way. Totally involved with the ecology. And why not, she flirts gently, because he’s contaminated her with his enthusiasm for nature. [Loose translation. ;-) ] She smiles shyly and Vasco returns the smile. Maybe his achy breaky heart is healing.

Julián has been summoned by his sisters in a gang up. He’s curious and Lorena tells him the summit is about Papi. Okay, what’s wrong with him? Nothing’s WRONG, Diana tells him, it’s what he’s DONE. He’s left home, Lorena explains. Dad? How can that be? He’s left for another woman. Don’t be messing with me! (No me friegues, don’t be kidding me). Why are you hitting me with this? Okay, he told us not to tell you so he could tell you himself, but what could we do? Julián is incensed—it seems like he doesn’t give a rip about my mother! He understands, though, ‘cuz Mami isn’t coming back. In frustration Lorena scolds him for giving Zulema up for dead like his Dad has. She says Omar is a traitor. He’s been hanging out with Greta since before they operated on Mami. Julián and Diana look at each other, impactadissímos. Lorena admits that she kept quiet so as to not create a worse problem. Julián attacks Lorena—she shut up about something this serious? Diana thinks she shouldn’t have. Lore explains that she confronted Omar and he assured her it was over, but now it seems not. Diana spits out that this b***h was at Julián’s wedding, looking them all right in the eye. Julián wants to know who this woman actually is—Lorena enlightens him. It’s Greta, Maruja’s friend. Wretch! Where does that woman live? Julián jumps up – he’s going off to give Omar a piece of his mind (tell him everything he deserves). Diana tries to dissuade him. What’s that going to get us? Nothing! Julián yells again—how could he do this to our mother?? The bell rings and Diana jumps up for it. Rossy and Maruja rush in. Maruja has told Rossy everything. Maruja swears to Julián by everything sacred that she just heard this news from Greta last night. She told Greta to go to the devil. Julián wants Maruja to tell him where Greta lives. Maruja stays quiet and he yells his demand. Rossy tries to dissuade him, too, urging him to calm down and not do something foolish, with the same result as Diana got. Nope, it’s Omar doing the foolish stuff. Lorena just looks up and everyone is quiet. Are they going to tell him or not??? Maruja tells Julián if he wants to talk to Omar, he’s at home with Jaime for the moment. Rossy chides her mother as Julián dashes out the door. Maruja points out that Jaime is there and it’s better if they argue Jaime is present. He could be a mediator. [Ed. Note: apparently she hasn’t seen Julián in a fit of real anger.] Rossy sighs and dashes after him. Maruja sighs and hopes she hasn’t made a big mistake here.

Jaime gives Omar a shot of tequila, and Omar asks if Jaime’s also condemning him. Jaime says he’s not judging, but he was really surprised when Maruja told him that the relationship with Greta had been long-term. Omar swears he tried to forget her but the loneliness was stronger. He thought he had a right to live, thinking of the future. Jaime can’t deny that, but it’s the way he went about it. He should have waited. Julián bursts in the door, rabid with fury. “You and I have to talk man to man” he spits out to Omar, who is commercial impactado.

“What you did to my mother is a travesty (porquería – lousy, rubbish)!” Jaime tries to intervene. Julián is upset and this isn’t going to resolve anything. Julián looks at Omar and yells that this matter is between this gentleman and himself, then looks back at Jaime defiantly. Jaime tries to get Omar to go. Julián yells at Jaime not to help Omar evade this. Does Jaime know what this bas***d did to Julián’s mother? Jaime yells at Julián to calm down and not say stuff he’ll be sorry for later. Julián is sure the only one who will be sorry is Omar. He sputters it all defiantly at Omar. He tried to understand Omar, until he found out that Omar was betraying his mother when she was WELL. And Omar just kept looking them all in the eye, the bas***d! Omar yells at Julián not to diss me, son. Julián yells back that Omar shouldn’t be calling him that, Julián has NO father now. He died today! Omar asks for his understanding and Julián charges at him, to be stopped by Jaime pushing him back. Julián’s rage shows on his face and in his stance. He turns to leave. Jaime heaves a sigh and turns back to Omar, who is muttering that he knew he would lose them; he knew it.

As night falls in the D. F., a lovely and smiling Valeria has knocked on Alonslow’s door and is warmly greeted. Slow’s so surprised (and apparently pleased) to see her! Big hugs. [Ed. Note: for all of us who wanted Val back, hooray!!] She tells him she just arrived back today. Big smiles and gazes between the friends.

Julián has finally decided to return home. Rossy jumps up from the table where she, Jaime and Maruja are eating dinner to greet Julián. She asks nervously if he’s been drinking again. Nope. He was just walking to clear his head. He asks Jaime’s forgiveness for his yelling in the morning; Jaime was right, he might have been saying things he’ll be sorry for later. Jaime understands—it was clear his blood was boiling. Julián feels betrayed, but Omar is the only father he has known. He feels like he needs to forgive Omar, and he’s not sure he can. Maruja tells him not to think about it right now when it hurts so much, but take some time, distance himself, and think about it when things cool down. Rossy echoes the thought. So you can think about it when you’re calm…. Jaime joins the chorus. Julián knows they are there to give him a hand when he needs it. Julián smiles a little at them.

Slow wants to know all about Valeria’s return—what’s up with it, is it for real? Yep. Everything with the folks went marvelously and they were so good with the kiddies, but she wasn’t earning much and it finally caught up with them. What about their Papá? Val hasn’t heard a word from him since she left and when she went by the house to find him there wasn’t a soul there, not even his mother. Slow thinks that’s pretty strange. He explains what his father told him about Catalina disappearing from the face of the earth. Your father? Yeah, they were for a while. Oooh! Val can’t believe it. Slow asks if she’s looking for work. Yep, she called Dra. Serrano and the Dra. will see her tomorrow. Slow looks down. Did she tell you what happened? Yes. Valeria sympathizes-what a tragedy, and you had just gone back with Lorena, and it turned out that Zulema was her real mother. Slow tells her it’s a long story. He took it upon himself to find out that Lorena was the real granddaughter of Hortensia Armendáriz. Then also he took it upon himself to snatch her mother away so they could never be together again. Valeria frowns at him and gives him a lovely empathetic look.

Speaking of the Queen and Princess of Rome, they’re hanging out in the living/dining room of the lesser house, Lorena at the table with her head on her hands, elbows on the table, and Hortensia strolling in to join her. Diana and Saulito are there, too—and he’s babbling away! Hortensia doesn’t like to see them like this, but Diana points out there’s nothing much to smile about, sorry about that. Hortensia points out she can’t defend Omar, much less now with what has happened. Lorena murmurs that she feels betrayed—Hortensia knows that. She doesn’t agree with how he did those things. But no matter how you feel, you can’t forget that he is your father. Lorena mutters of course not, but the one who has forgotten is him. Hortensia points out that right now they might not want to see him, but he’s hasn’t committed a crime. Diana thinks Hortensia is pretty quick to defend him because she’s his mother. Hortensia denies defending him; she doesn’t agree with what he’s done and he’s taken the easy way out. But he’s always been a good father; don’t condemn him for having a weakness. Lorena stands and walks to face her Granny—“You’re right, but don’t ask me to look at him like nothing happened, because in my opinion it’s a betrayal.” She continues that her mother is still alive and will wake up some day. Hortensia affirms that God should hear her and that’s what she wants from the heart. Diana gets up with Saulito (who’s looking offstage, no doubt at something very interesting). For her, it’s all an illusion (espejismo). As more time passes, she believes less in miracles. Hortensia points out that Vasco came out of a coma and she herself came back. All of them even forgave her. Of course miracles exist! Lorena gives her a sweet, wistful, small smile.

Alonslow explains to Val that he’s been through some really difficult, critical times, where his self-esteem was zip and had to work hard to hold his head up. He lost Lorena’s love forever. Why? Did she reproach you for what happened to her mother? No, and it wasn’t the first time he had lived through an accident, but he just couldn’t keep looking Lorena in the eyes. Their relationship could never continue the same way. He couldn’t let go of the guilt. Valeria tells him not to be sad and remember that they can’t stay paralyzed by their problems. She gets ready to clean up their coffee cups and he touches her wrist ---leave them and I’ll get them later. [Ed. Note: Val touched his wrist that way earlier about something and I forgot to note it. Probably good for both of these rejected folks.] Her smile is brilliant and her face radiant. “You know what is best about my return? We can have our friendship back again.” He looks at her somberly, but with a slight smile that is fond. Val shakes her head. “Oh, Alonso, you don’t’ know how much I’ve missed you. And I’m not going to excuse you for not coming looking for me to tell me what happened; I would have been there to help you. That’s what friends are for, right?” He looks down again and responds that he was such a fool, but felt so ashamed he couldn’t look her in the eye. But he admits it would have been great to have her there all this time. She asks about Bruno and learns he quit. He’s working for a private hospital. She sighs, no doubt to earn more money—that’s all he wants. She’s surprised that anyone contracted with him, though, because he’s no great physician. For a good doc, it’s you. She grins at him coquettishly. She compliments his charisma and great looks. He grins, hangs his head a little, and tells her she’s biased (look at me with good eyes). She insists that next to Slow, Bruno is a burro in a lab coat as a doc. Slow chuckles and reaches out to take her hand. They gaze at each other, her hands in his.

Vasco has somehow ended up entertaining Patty at home (his or hers, who knows?) and she’s busy playing with finger paints. She asks his opinion on colors, and he thinks yellow, which he opens so clumsily that it spills all over her lap. He grabs a towel and tries to wipe her down in sensitive places but she thinks he might as well leave it there. She stands and looks down at the mess, then turns toward him. Vasco is embarrassed and frowns a little. Patty just grabs him and kisses him. He smiles and looks down—they’re a pair, both with yellow paint. They smile at each other and chuckle.
There’s a short silence; he touches his lip and asks what that kiss was. Oh, a kiss, nothing more, she tells him. It was spontaneous but sincere. She gazes at his face. Then she tells him she likes him a lot—he’s really special. Why special? You’re lovely, genuine, and very sincere. She is enchanted by his love for the environment, and thinks he’s is really passionate about it and will defend what he cares about. He really is pleased to hear that she values him so much. She fishes for what he thinks about her? Doesn’t he value her at least a little? Of course! She’s really lovely and solid. But? Patty looks anxious. There’s no but, however, I’m not really too emotionally secure right now—he shrugs—the thing with Diana left me bad off, and I don’t think I can return the feelings right now. Well, if you never try, you’ll never know. I don’t have doubts, Patty tells him sincerely. She cares about him. He smiles, says her name, takes her head in his hands, and kisses her. And again.

The winged victory keeps watch over the D. F. and we find ourselves on the set of “Cooking with Joy.” Lorena insists that the Crema Catalana can have either milk or cream in it, and Ern disagrees, strictly with milk. Lorena sighs in frustration. Who said? Ern wants to know. My mother, in her recipe book. And that’s how Madre Asunción made it. He gives in, because he can’t do a thing against her real teachers. They both smile as they have the standoff. Lorena’s a little embarrassed—you’re my teacher, too….where the captain orders, the sailor doesn’t rule. He just looks at her fondly and she wonders why he’s staring. Guess. No, tell me. Really, you don’t know? It’s her turn to stare as he comes in slowly for a biiiig kiss. And off to commercial we go.

Lorena tells Ern “no, no.” He’s taken aback. [Frankly, I am, too. Qué the heck “no??”] He tells her to calm down, no one’s here to see them. It’s not that. He tells her to think carefully before she speaks. She notes that he’s been so good with her these past months, has helped her, supported her, and she appreciates it. But? That and nothing more? You are grateful but don’t love me? He shakes his head a little at the thought. Come on, say it all. No, she hesitates, it’s that….her heart still isn’t too healthy. Yesterday she saw Alonslow a bit more recovered, for a moment she felt that… What? That now there’s no obstacle to going back with him? Then why don’t you go after him, then. Let’s see if he can get over the fear of loving you. He stalks off behind the counter where they cook and she follows, protesting. No, she’s not going after him and beg him to love her. Okay, do whatever you want, he tells Lorena, but don’t talk about him any more to me. She tries to tell Ernesto she cares about him, but…. But what? He tells her she might be fooling herself, he knew that she felt this kiss like he did, she’s his Lorena of before—HIS Lorena. She tells him she wishes she could be. She’d give anything to go back to those days before. Ern scolds himself for being an idiot to believe he could win her love back again. Lorena is just s.a.d. The camera guy comes to have them take the positions for the camera checks. She sadly walks to her place, and Ern is angry and hurt. They steal glances at each other. Doesn’t bode well for today’s chemistry.

Slow describes Val showing up at the door to Toribio. She’s back to stay. Good, you’ve got your friend back. Yep. I like that idea a lot! I’m realizing how much I’ve missed talking with her. Oh, Lorena’s program is on. He goes to turn on the tele. Since he’s been watching her program, he’s learned to cook well enough. Toribio can’t complain and thinks he’s really improved. Slow feels like he’s close to her every day this way, even if she is at Ern’s side. He takes up his paper and pencil to write down what they say. We hear Ernesto’s and Lorena’s voices on the program in the background. They appear to be getting along as they describe the Crema Catalana they’ll be preparing, then they go to commercials. In a clever move by the writers and directors, we don’t go back to Slow’s apartment, we stay on the set with Ern and Lorena. Ern’s smile fades and he sighs loudly. Lorena glances at him. Well, should she go for the cream? He petulantly tells her to do what she wants; she always does anyway. She tells him not to behave like a capricious child. What, is he supposed to have a happy smile after what she just told him? Lorena goes sadly off to get the cream—whatever you want. He repents and follows her—but don’t worry, I’ll get over it. “I understand perfectly what my place is in your life.” Lorena looks up at him somberly. There’s a lot of that going around. He doesn’t get a smile from her so he goes off to his corner, sighing again. She frowns and looks dejected.

Dra. Serrano has the perfect position for Val—she’ll be the chief of hematology. Great, Val tells her, and thanks for having such trust in me! Well, this interview seems to be going well, doesn’t it? Val remarks that she had been so doubtful of trying to come back. Dra. says she’s done the right thing. Her experience is very valuable to the clinic. We know they’re in the Dra.’s office in the hospital because the ambulance sirens are going in the background. Val thanks the Dra., and remarks it’s sad that Slow won’t be there. The Dra. feels the same, but she couldn’t do too much in the face of the authorities’ decision. Val wonders if they couldn’t look at the case again. The Dra. wanted to do that but not say much about it until she could count on a more favorable outcome. She asks Val to keep it their little secret. Val nods knowingly.

Patty and Vasco chat in an industrial-sized kitchen about a protest she’s gone to with him. He thanks her and admires her enthusiasm for the cause. Did he think she was going to miss it after she made so many posters? Plus, she liked being with him. He felt the same, he tells her. Lovely kisses, but the timing’s off. Diana’s here. She disappears out the swinging door after seeing them kissing. Vasco needs to run, too—they’ll see each other after a while, right? Yep. Call me, she tells him, grinning broadly as he goes. Diana comes in, and Patty tells her Vasco just left. Yep, I saw you two. Patty hopes that Diana’s not bent out of shape that she and Vasco have gotten together. No, there’s no reason for that and she hopes they’ll be happy together. Patty tells her if it’s up to her, he will be and not to worry; she cares a lot about him. Awkward silence. Patty says she’d better go change. Diana is pensive.

Valeria has run into Slow at the hospital and they greet each other. Has she seen Noemi? (Dra. Serrano). Yes….Val grins – how bad of him, he should have told her he was coming and they could have come together. He asks how it went. He can congratulate her, she’s the new chief of hematology. He is really pleased for her and gives her a hug and congrats. Of course, it’s not the same without him. He thinks it’s better if they don’t talk about that. He remarks when he may practice again, if he gets in the mood. She urges him to remember he’s a very good doctor, never forget it. Even Noemi just said so. He’s lost his nerve and every time he sees Zulema he is reminded of what he did to her. Val thinks it speaks well of him that he’s concerned for Zulema. [Ed. Note: for a woman who was so dejected all the time with Arturo, she sure is coquettish with Alonslow. Too bad he can’t pick up on it.] He asks if she’ll go see Zulema with her. Of course! She glances sideways at him as they walk down the hall. Sheesh, is he brain vapor-locked when it comes to women! He does smile, though. Val asks about no changes in four months, really? Yeah, they thought she might go into brain death, but she hasn’t, fortunately. The EEGs report basic activity. Val remarks that she’s dependent on the respirator—other reflexes? Minimal ones, Alonslow tells her. He adds some medical stuff about Zulema not showing any significant involuntary movements and such, she’s being fed by “a probe” (sonda) and Val picks up the chart. [Ed. Note: there’s no IV hooked up, so they must be feeding Zulema by what we call a g-tube.] Val asks rapid-fire doc questions. Any cerebral lesions? Nothing localized. They’ve done the tomagraphies. It also looks like the basic organic functions are steady. Val remarks that with all the medical advances, it’s difficult to understand why they can’t get a handle on this precisely. Alonslow thinks Zulema has crossed a threshold. That’s why it breaks his heart that Lorena still has high hopes

At the lesser house, evening’s coming and Diana has come home. Where’s she been, Lorena asks. With her group—Diana feels much better talking with all the women who have suffered like she has. Lorena is happy for her. Diana said she even thought she might be over it to the point that she had thought to tell Vasco how much she loves him. The tears come. So, why didn’t she do it? Because he’s going with Patty. No, they’re good friends, nothing more, Lorena tells her. Diana lets Lorena know she saw them kissing.

The graduation day has arrived and Patty gets her certificate/diploma for cooking school and a hug from Ernesto, with cheers and applause from the crowd and Vasco taking pictures. He gives her a thumbs up and grin, while Diana looks miserable next to him, then a little disgusted as Patty blows him a kiss. Lorena gives Patty a hug as Patty returns to her seat. Ern asks for their attention. Every year the institute honors one student with academic distinction. It’s the student whose GPA is the highest. The director steps forward to name the distinguished student—it’s Lorena de la Cruz! Ern gives her the certificate/diploma and a gentle kiss. The director lady gives her a rolled up paper and Lorena gets to say a few words. She thanks the teachers, the institute, her family, and everyone who has helped in her career. But this honor……I dedicate to my Mamá. She tears up a little. Wishing that some day she’ll be well, and can cook with me again. She gives her thanks again. Diana looks proud and wistful. Julián is proud and serious. They applaud with the crowd. Omar is noticeably absent. Lore holds the two papers up in triumph and the applause continues. Hortensia is there with a big smile for her granddaughter. Ern must have gotten over his pique—his smile is all love and huge. Sigh.

Lorena has to share her diploma with Zulema, who hasn’t opened her eyes in months. “I’m a chef!” Lorena tells Zulema how she dedicated her recognition to her, and begs her again to wake up. They have so much to do together—she misses Zulema!

In the living room of the lesser house, Julián wonders why Lorena is so late, and Diana reminds him she always goes to see Zulema. Julián is concerned whether he should really tell Lorena about some apparently important subject today. Diana tells him she thinks it’s better Lorena knows right away. Good timing, here’s Lorena. She’s surprised to see Julián—why is he here? He came so they could talk. About what? He tells her they want to disconnect their mother. No, don’t say such a stupid thing! Lorena is appalled. How could they think of taking their mother’s life? Julián points out that their mother lost her life long ago. How does he DARE to say that? Julián tells Lorena she’s seen what Zulema is like. Diana tries to defend the decision—to let her retain a little bit of dignity and so we’ll be at peace. Lorena cries while Julián continues that Zulema doesn’t really have a life. She’s depending on the machines, so don’t be selfish. Let her go. NEVER. Diana begs her to think about this (react). There hasn’t been a single sign in all this time. Lorena is defiant—they may have lost faith but she hasn’t. Only God can decide, not them. Julián says he’s decided already. Diana takes her by the shoulders but Lorena runs out shouting “let me go!” She slams the door, leaving Julián and Diana miserable and Lorena’s miserable, too. She stands in front of the house, talking to herself or God, who knows. They can’t do this to Mamá. Don’t they love you? Lorena’s phone rings. It’s the television program “Mid-day” and they’re reminding her of her interview. She pulls her act together briefly and affirms that she’ll be seeing them. Then she cries some more.

The Happy Wanderers are home again and Fluffy remarks on how good it always is to get home. They don’t seem to have any luggage; must be some lackey takes care of it. Not even Bruto has to schlep bags. He does have to close the door, though. [Ed. Note: Sara has grown long, curly hair in four months. Must not be too many hair stylists where they went to cut it.] Bruto appreciates that Fluffy and Sara will let him be their guest. Of course, Fluffy assures him, why should he be paying rent some place when Fluffy needs his doc 24/7? Bruto gives him a lovely fakey grin. What’s more, with this little woman he could have multiple heart attacks. [Ed. Note: yeah, but it would likely be from the stuff she puts in your OJ, not from the bedroom stuff.] He kisses her cheek and she plays it right up. Bruto’s fake smile slides away. Sara and Bruto stare off at each other while Fluffy looks around his shoulder at the guest room and points out where it is to Bruto, who thanks him and heads off in the general direction. Fluffy spins Sara to tell her in other times he would have carried her, but now he needs a massage only she can give. She thinks he needs a bath to relax and he negotiates for a backrub. Kissy-kissy. [Ugh.] He goes off to get his bath and Sara sighs in disgust.

The host of the Mid-day program hypes Lorena and tells his audience they wanted to interview her. She thanks him and the audience claps in the background of the set. They sit and begin. “You’ve entered our homes to stay. Did you ever imagine you’d be so well-received?” Lorena, always humble, says she didn’t. She appreciates it from the heart. He asks her to explain where she first learned to cook. [Okay, let’s see how she handles this orphanage story, then finding the real parents, and ending up forgiving the Granny who had her kidnapped.] The first dish she made was a soup. Who taught her? Her mother? No, a beloved nun, Madre Asunción. It was nothing complicated, a soup of chicken and potato. In his living room, Alonslow is glued to the tele, remote in hand, hearing her voice. She describes her panqués, which were her salvation once she arrived in Mexico City. They sold well on the street, and brought her really fine clients. Well, well, apparently the whole world watches this program, because Ernesto is glued to his tele at home, too. She continues….”what’s more, on the same street, something happened that was truly incredible.” Ernesto urges her to tell them! Tell them! Tell them that’s where we began to fall in love! Lorena says that’s where she got a contract to work in a restaurant. Ernesto deflates. The interviewer says that it’s been said she’s in the habit of overcoming challenges. She smiles—she tries not to let them conquer her. For herself and for the people she loves. He asks about her future plans. Lorena tells him she is trying not to have too many future plans because….she’s expecting a miracle. The interviewer is totally intrigued. She continues that her mother fell into a coma a little before she started on the program and the doctors don’t give her much hope, but Lorena has faith. The interviewer is a little impactado. Lorena tells him that she goes each day expecting her mother to open her eyes and look at her. She stops briefly and he has nothing to say. Lorena continues that her plans have to wait until her mother is well. Back in Alonslow’s apartment, he’s writing quickly as her voice tells all the things she will do with her mother—take photos with her mother, take a trip, far from all the problems. Toribio comes around the corner to this scene and goes back to his room. At Ernesto’s the voice continues, and he listens and watches with a huge smile at Lorena’s faith that she’ll be able to do all these thousand things with her mother. Also, she’d like to bring Madre Carmelita and Madre Trinidad to the D. F. to show them lots of things [of course, she hasn’t explained to the interviewer they raised her]. Ivan comes around the corner at Ernesto’s, sees this scene, and turns back to his room with a serious face. At Fluffy’s condo, Sara hears Lorena’s voice as she comes into the living room and watches the television intently while the interviewer asks Lorena if she considers herself a winner. On the big-screen television, there’s Lorena, telling the world that if being considered a winner means a person who is content with herself, and has nothing to regret, can move forward and think of the future, yes, she is a winner. Sara curses Lorena’s image on the television. She HATES Lorena!

Monday: Lorena runs out of Zulema’s room for help and finds Alonslow at the hospital—Zulema has opened her eyes!

Jeanne

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