Caray, Caray!

From Friday: Inaki’s dad tells him that he won’t help with his plan to stay in Real del Monte. He needs to finish up his studies. He thinks Inaki can visit Paloma on the breaks and then come back when he’s done. Inaki storms out.

And now onto the new stuff: Angelica has some university applications and wants Paloma to continue her studies. Paloma realizes she’d have to leave town, but then again the university at Pachuca is nearby. (I looked up Pachuca and found that it is the capital of Hidalgo, which puts us in the sort of southern part of Mexico. Then I looked up Real del Monte and discovered it was well, real.) Paloma says that would be great because she could commute and wouldn’t have to worry about daily expenses. Angelica says don’t worry about that now. If you get into the university in Mexico City, you can find some part-time work to get by. Just take it one step at a time. You could have a brilliant professional future.

Romina walks up and Angelica says she needs to see her in her office later. Angelica leaves and Romina says she’s a metiche, messing in other people’s lives. Paloma is excited though, and says that Angelica is counseling her and helping her.

Paloma says she wants to go on in school, but Romina doesn’t even want to try. Romina says she doesn’t need to prepare for university or for work. She’s just doing her exams because her mother wants her to.

Emiliano drops by Camila’s shop. His nana, Meche (Have we seen her? Was she on the day the soccer messed up the schedule?) is on hard times financially and needs a job. Does Camila need a cleaning lady? Camila compliments Emiliano on his good heart. She says that Monica (the pretty helper lady – we see her in the background) has been doing the cleaning in the shop, but maybe it’s time to relieve her of that little chore. She says to send Meche over. Emiliano tells her Romina is lucky to have a mom like her.

Rafael gives his co-worker Joel the bad news about Pablo wanting out the ceramics business, and tells Joel he just doesn’t have the money to buy Pablo out, even though he’d like to.

Joel says maybe somebody could back him financially. Rafa says who would want to invest in him – it’s too big a risk. Joel thinks maybe Camila. He points out that she’s rich and only works to give herself something to do. He says asking’s free! Give it a shot. (Aw, and here I thought Camila had made good on her own, selling art to tourists.)

Mac is at the church, talking to the gray-bearded padre, who must be the one on his way out. She says she’s having a hard time, what with Paloma rebelling and her sister being well, her sister, and she feels they both are right in some ways. The padre tells her to have confidence in the principals she’s taught Paloma. Mac says but girls are different now, they argue, they talk back.

The padre says just set reasonable limits. Mac wonders where to draw the line. The padre says let things happen the way God wants (chicken!). Mac tries to nail him down, though. She says so what do I do? He says pray, be loving. He says both Paloma and Carlota need to learn to live in harmony. (That’s going to take a LOT of prayer, probably more than the whole town of Real del Monte has time for.)

Anselmo, one of the men from the alcohol and drug program, is telling Chris how distraught he is that Chris is leaving. He says Chris understands because he was once one of them, plus he’s not preachy. Chris says the new guy is supposed to be very good. Anselmo says if he’s not good, he’s outta there. Chris counsels him to stick with it.

Inaki’s dad comes home. Whoo-hoo, nice house! And there’s a maid, Lupita. His beautiful wife comes in and asks why he’s so pooped. She tosses her hair, she talks in a sing-song voice, and she gives him shoulder massages but somehow despite all that, she manages to seem like a nice person. He tells her about Inaki. She thinks it’s great Inaki is in love and she points out that the girl must be something special. She says why don’t we go to Real del Monte and get a look at her? Their little girl runs in and they give her hugs. Hey, I’m getting the picture! The wife is Natalia, the lady Chris left at the altar!

Chris has no idea how complicated things are going to get for him in Real del Monte.

Romina tells Paloma that it’s not every day a person turns 18 and she just won’t forgive Paloma if she doesn’t come to her party. Paloma says you know my aunts – I’ll try. Angelica comes up and says Romina, I was waiting for you and you didn’t come. She says she expects her to come in tomorrow.

Romina tells her she tries her hardest, but her teachers don’t like her. Angelica says I’m not buying that – show up tomorrow! Romina promises and Angelica leaves. Romina says she doesn’t care about her grades, but she has to figure out how she can keep the bad news from her mother, or her mother will cancel her party.

Paloma is looking for Inaki outside the school. She thought he was coming with his mother. Romina wonders where Emiliano is – maybe he has something he had to do for his job. As they walk along, Romina accidentally on purpose bumps into Liliana. They trade insults and Liliana says she’s just jealous because she and German are novios. Romina scoffs, but German shows up and gives Liliana a kiss. Romina tells her she looks ridiculous. They almost get into fisticuffs, but German and Paloma pull them apart.

Inaki’s mom and Arcadia are consulting about a soup – why doesn’t it taste the same as in Spain, even though it has the same ingredients? Arcadia says maybe the soil is different. Inaki’s mom gives her a hug. Oh, if she only knew who she was hugging! Unbeknownst to her, she is pressing a serpent to her bosom.

Inaki comes in and his mom asks how it went with his dad. Bad, he tells her. Arcadia listens carefully in the background as he recounts what happened.

Mac comes in to Paloma’s room and Paloma is frosty to her. Mac says it’s breaking her heart them not getting along. She says she was so happy about Paloma and Inaki, but she didn’t think of the consequences. What consequences? says Paloma coldly. Mac says you are very young. Paloma says don’t worry, I’m going to be a very good girl until I turn 18, and then I’ll take the reins of my life. Meaning what? says Mac. Meaning I’m going to decide what I do with my life. Mac says I felt that when your parents died, you gave up. Paloma says the difference was that I had 8 years to wait. Now it’s just a few months. Mac looks worried.

Romina is asking her mother for an advance to reserve the room for her party. Camila says no money until I see your grades. Romina says but the exams aren’t until next week and they want the money now. Camila says I’ll go to the school and see how things are going. Romina says you’ll embarrass me in front of the whole school! Don’t you trust me?

Romina says she’s not shooting for straight A’s like Paloma. She doesn’t want to live like her, locked up and doing nothing but studying. She’s not a sucker, she’s smart. Camila says I just want you to study to improve yourself, to pass. Romina says it’s all about duty and not about my happiness. Not about trying to help me forget that the last time I had a party my father sent me a cake by messenger! Camila looks stricken. So that’s it?

Romina says I never wanted to have another party because I wanted to forget that. And now that I finally am trying to get over my father’s abandonment, you’re throwing rocks in the road. Camila says is that why you never wanted a party? Romina says I didn’t want to tell you, since you had organized it and I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.

Camila caves and says okay, go ahead and rent the room. I just hope that your grades are okay and that you can finally get over your father’s leaving.

Carlota is walking Paloma to her art class. She says that Paloma didn’t say a word during dinner and isn’t talking now. Paloma says I don’t have anything I want to say. Carlota says I get it. You’ll get over it. I’ll pick you up in two hours – you wait inside until I knock. Esta bien says Paloma. She goes in, and Carlota looks smug.

It’s her first art class. She asks the teacher if she can use the phone a second. She calls Inaki’s house and gets his mom who pretends to be the maid. She tells Paloma that Inaki is in Mexico City and she doesn’t know when he’ll get back. Paloma says tell him not to try to reach me and that I’ll call again.

Paloma wonders to herself why Inaki went to Mexico City and why he wasn’t at the school gate as he promised.

Romina drops by German’s office and he’s none too pleased. He tells her she’s just playing with him, and he’s trying to avoid seeing her. Romina says that Liliana is a naca. German gets mad and tells her to knock it off. She starts to come on to him and there’s a knock at the door. German opens it a crack and it’s Emiliano who wants to talk. Is this a bad time? Romina hides behind the door.

German steps out of the office, herding Emiliano in front of him. He closes the door. Romina goes over to his laptop and looks up Liliana’s e-mail address.

Emiliano tells German he’d like to have a coffee together. He’s wondering why German has seemed in such an odd mood lately. And why did he kind of blow him off in the restaurant? German says he wanted to be alone with Liliano. Emiliano is relieved and kids him about new love whoo hoo. German says he’s new at the noviazgo biz and he’s nervous. Emiliano congratulates him and says let’s double date! Although they realize the girls don’t like each other.

German pretends he forgot some papers and he slithers back into his office and closes the door. Romina is still there and her phone rings. She realizes it’s Emiliano. German says don’t answer it! Just outside the office, we see Emiliano leave a message. Romina thinks all of this is fun, but German is mad and tells her she’s an adrenaline freak but he’s not. She says let’s be friends like before.

German says I don’t want to be friends. What you want is to have a long list of admirers to play with, and I don’t want to play. She sidles up and says won’t you miss my kisses? German is furious and says if you want something with me, you have to break off with Emiliano. Otherwise, forget it! She flounces by then I won’t be interested. She stalks out and then looks at Liliana’s e-mail address on the piece of paper, obviously plotting.

It’s an outdoor art class. The teacher gives a long talk about line and form and tells them not to be afraid of the human form. She has a model (we see him a distance, his back turned, his shirt still on) and she wants the class to just think about lines, not body parts. She calls to the model and he slips off his shirt and turns around.

It’s Inaki! Paloma is ecstatic.

Mac tells Carlota that she’s going to go pick up Paloma from art class. Mac says she’ll do it, and reminds Carlota that the art classes were her idea. Carlota says I’m not stupid – I know it’s just an excuse for her to meet that musician. Mac sighs and says Paloma has inherited her mother’s artistic talent, and you are imagining things. Carlota sarcastically says oh yes, I have quite an imagination and that’s why I’m going to deliver her and pick her up from every art class.

Poor Paloma, says Mac. Carlota says I’m just trying to prevent another shameful disaster in this family.

Emiliano is off doing good deeds. He goes to see his nana, who seems to be selling quesadillas by the roadside. He asks after Chava, who might be a grandson. He has brought him a nice big ball. His nana is very grateful, and then he tells her that Camila is looking for someone to help with the laundry. His nana is ecstatic and thanks him.

It’s time for break at art class. Inaki has been posing with his pants on and he slips his shirt back on. Paloma inches over and says ¿Qué haces aquí? Inaki says he had to think of some way to see her. They squat behind a totally see-through bench and have a tiny kiss. He says he doesn’t care what the obstacles are, he loves her.

She wonders why he didn’t come by the school and why he was in Mexico City. He says he went to see his father. She wonders how that went. He fudges that it looks like it’ll be hard to manage his father’s business from Real del Monte, so he’ll have to think of something else.

Paloma says she’s afraid to be unhappy, that this is all a dream. He swears it’s not.

Inaki’s mom Carmen is talking to his father on the phone. She says she’s never seen Inaki like this, he’s usually so responsible. His father wants to know what the girl’s family thinks of this. Inaki’s mom says they don’t like Inaki. Arcadia comes into the room to pretend to do something but actually to spy. Carmen says that the girl’s aunt was really insulting, but she didn’t tell Inaki, it would be counterproductive. Arcadia looks like she just ate something yummy.

His dad explains that he didn’t support Inaki’s idea. Carmen says he’s looking for work and I hope he finds something soon. His dad says Inaki’s a grown man, but there must be some way to persuade him. He tells her that he and Natalia have decided to come to Real del Monte and see what they can do. Let’s all go to a restaurant. Carmen says come here to eat, it’s more private. Closeup of Arcadia looking squinty-eyed!

Natalia drops by Chris at the church. She wants to know if he knows the address of the Espinoza de los Monteros. Me? he says. She says they’re Javier’s family. She wants to know how their daughter Paloma is doing.

Arcadia is on the phone to Carlota. She says if they knew what she’s doing, she’d lose her job. Carlota says I pay you enough to get you by until you find another job. So Arcadia coughs up. Inaki’s dad won’t let him run any of his business. Carlota is surprised that the dad has businesses. Arcadia says oh yes, he’s rich. Then she tells that they’re coming to Real del Monte to talk to Inaki, and that Carmen told his dad that Carlota doesn’t like Inaki but that she didn’t tell Inaki about it.

Carlota says tell me everything that happens Saturday. She hangs up and rubs her chin. You’ve got to hand it to Carlota. Even though it seems like all she does is prowl the house all day looking for things to disapprove of, and yeah, maybe run a few errands, she is beautifully turned out. She really dresses for success, and no errant hair would dare stick out from her ‘do.

Emiliano meets up with Chava, his nana’s grandson, in the street. Chava’s not a little kid, he’s a young teen. He’s glad to hear that there’s a soccer ball waiting for him, but he reports that he’s really bad at school. He might get held back again.

Emiliano says hey, I’ll call my novia and see if she can help you with your math. Viewers across America snort.

Art class is over. Paloma tells Inaki she’s under close guard and won’t be free until she’s 18. The teacher calls that her aunt is there and she tells Inaki, for the teacher’s benefit, that it was nice meeting him.

After she’s gone, she delicately tells Inaki not to make friends with the students, and particularly not with Paloma. Her aunt is um…traditional… and a big moral force in the community, and if she thought Paloma was making friends with a model, whew!

Carlota wonders why the teacher didn’t come to the door just now. Paloma says she was busy. Carlota wants to know if all the students are girls and Paloma says yes. Inaki jumps from a bush behind them and Paloma lets out a little laugh. Carlota wants to know what that laugh was about and Paloma says she just really likes art.

Now Emiliano is having sodas with Chava. He tells him he’ll help with school expenses and that Chava should ask him and not his grandma. Chava is very grateful. Romina comes in all abuzz about her party plans. Emiliano introduces her to Chava and Romina looks at him like he’s a pair of dirty socks. Ew.

She whines that she thought they were going to have a coffee alone. Chava politely offers to leave, but Emiliano says she just didn’t know you were here. Stay. She looks steamed and Chava discretely heads for the bathroom. He says he’s not good at math, but it looks like he’s put 2 and 2 together okay.

Romina tells Emiliano you know I don’t like being around kids. He said no, I didn’t know, and if you don’t like it, tough.

Inaki goes by a club and asks the owner for a regular gig. The owner says people come for the jazz festival and the place is full, but the rest of the time there aren’t a lot of customers and those that do come aren’t interested in jazz. They want love songs, protest songs, pop.

Paloma and Romina are coming out of school and Paloma talks about Inaki modeling and Romina talks about her party. Here comes Inaki’s mom out jogging. Romina stops her and says aren’t you Carmen? I met you at the movie. Carmen is all friendly. Romina says here’s Paloma, your son’s girlfriend. Carmen turns cold. So it’s you?

Paloma hasn’t noticed the change in the weather and she says how eager she was to meet Carmen. Carmen says me too, but I want to ask you a favor. Stay away from my son. I don’t want him to risk his future for you, so the noviazgo is out.

Paloma is stunned and Romina appalled. How dare you speak to her like that? she says. Inaki runs up with a rose and says I couldn’t have planned it better! My mother and my novia. Isn’t Paloma the most beautiful woman in the world? Carmen says more beautiful than I expected, it’s not surprising she could change your life.

Avances: Paloma has to make a decision.

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