Caray, Caray!

Wait, that’s not right. I’m looking on the wrong page of my Telenovela Cliché Handbook.

Flip. Flip. Here it is: Girl who gets pregnant by the wrong guy cuddles up naked in bed with drunk/drugged nice guy and the next morning tells him how wonderful it was.

Okay, so Amor Monday, August 31, 2009: Romina (stop me if you’ve heard this one)…

Enough of that. On with our story.

But first we back up a few feet into Friday’s story: Paloma meets up with Camila and Mac and is thrilled that Mac’s necklace brought such a good price. Paloma announces that she wants to study out of town. She’ll take a part-time job to make ends meet.

Grind those gears and it’s full speed ahead into Monday: Emilano at the office is getting ready for a meeting with Orlando, but Orlando is hanging with his old pal Chris and calls and says he’ll meet with Emiliano tomorrow, and that Emiliano should take the rest of the day off.

Orlando ribs Chris about hanging out with the Catholic Ladies’ League group and Chris says he usually likes those things, but this time… there are some things in life he wishes he could get out of.

Orlando jokes that he’s glad Chris isn’t competition any more. Used to be when they went out together, all the pretty women went for Chris. Isn’t it odd to have to be chaste now? he asks. Chris says he made a decision, and God provides him with whatever he needs.

Chris lets him know he goes by Padre Juan, not Padre Chris. Orlando slaps him on the shoulder and says he’s going to go buy the uniforms for the church soccer team. Good luck with the Ladies’ League.

Orlando heads off down the street and Chris looks up at the church and wryly tells God that of all the places, he had to land up here, having to go to the home of the Espinoza de los Monteros. Thy will be done.

Carlota is setting an elaborate table and crankily wondering why Mac had to head off to the pharmacy right when there is so much to do.

Mac and Paloma come in and Mac is telling Paloma she shouldn’t make such a rash decision. Paloma says I’ve been thinking about it for some time now. There are many memories here. Haven’t you ever wanted to get out of here, Tia? Mac says is this about Emiliano in some way?

Carlota comes up to them and upbraids Mac for not helping. Mac reminds her she did the cooking. Carlota says she doesn’t want any more events at their house after this. You’re the boss says Mac sarcastically.

Paloma tells Carlota that she has enough money to pay her tuition now because Mac sold her necklace. Carlota says great, give it to me. Paloma says that’s okay, I’ll take it in tomorrow and pay the sisters. And when you sell my ring, I’ll have enough for the first couple of semesters at college. Carlota says even though you lost the scholarship? Paloma says that’s right. I’m going to go help Mac now. Carlota is left with her eyes bugging out.

Romina is in the bathroom, looking through drawers while her mother is in her room sorting through clothes. Camila says Angelica asked her to come in. Romina says Angelica’s full of hot air. Romina finds a dark bottle with a rubber stopper and slips it into her jeans. She fake flushes the toilet and comes into her mother’s room.

Romina holds up different outfits to go out in and Camila says I don’t like you going out on school nights. Camila says but I’ve been so miserable – this’ll be a chance to cheer up a little. Camila says okay, just come back early. She leaves the room and Romina puts a few drops from the bottle in Camila’s bedside water pitcher.

Emiliano goes into a bar and starts slamming back tequilas. He calls German who’s about to leave work and asks him to join him.

The Ladies League is filing into the house. Inez twitters to Carlota about how hospitable she is. Carlota says she really liked Padre Jacinto. Inez says wait’ll you see the dishy new priest!

Chris is just about to leave for the dreaded lunch when an altar boy runs in and tells him to come quick. One of the flock is dying and needs last rites. Chris says I was just waiting for Padre Mateo so we could go to this luncheon. Tell him when he gets here that I had to go. He smiles. Whew!

The ladies are waiting for Chris. Inez tells Mac there’s something familiar about him, but she’s not sure what. Apparently he lived here at one time. Mac says what’s his last name? Inez doesn’t know, but she thinks he’s way too handsome to have become a priest.

Paloma is fretting in her room. Rufi brings her a giant sunflower from Aron and hands her the phone because he’s called. He apologies to her for messing things up with Emiliano. He was trying to help her, but it looks like he’s made her mad. She says I just don’t want you telling him untruths about us being in love. Aron says it’s not a lie to say I like you a lot.

Thank you for the flower, she dodges. She figures out he’s outside on the street and tells him she can’t invite him in because his aunts are having a do. They hang up and she wonders why she couldn’t have fallen in love with him. Her aunt even approves.

Emiliano is really drunk and the actor (Sebastian Zurita) indulges in some extravagant overacting. Where’s his acting coach? Probably off having a smoke and checking out the girl actresses in their Catholic school uniforms that are supposed to be chaste but actually are short and conform to every curve and have kind of a French maid vibe. Emiliano’s with German and says he knows that Paloma loves him. German asks if it he can’t have Paloma, will he go back with Romina? Emiliano slurs No way.

So this is what Romina is doing tonight! She’s arrived at Diana’s in the cute dress she picked out. It’s a setup apparently. Diana is going to go play cards with her friends and leave Romina alone with Emiliano. Here’s the plan. Diana will tell Emiliano she forgot to tell him that she had planned an evening with Romina. Romina can’t wait to see his face when he sees her.

Camila is at home remembering the touch of Rafa’s hands and That Moment. She’s also taking her nightly meds with the spiked water. The Rafa song starts up. In his apartment, apparently he’s thinking of her too. He picks up the phone then chickens out and puts it back down again.

Chris hasn’t shown up yet and everyone is waiting. Carlota is asking Padre Mateo when he’s coming. Padre M says he has to confess someone who’s drawing his last breaths. Carlota says well that’s not very polite, considering he knew this party is in his honor. Padre M says I hope nothing terrible has happened to him or to the dying man. He crosses himself. I hope that’s it says Carlota, because I’ve never known a priest to behave like this.

That comment really puts the eeeee in egregious. Fill in your own diatribe.

The ladies says let’s wait, it’s no trouble. Carlota says for me it is, let’s serve dinner. Why are all the ladies bundled up in heavy coats and scarves? Didn’t they put the heat on for the poor guests? Or is it just that arctic blast coming from Carlota?

Sure enough, the poor man is dying. His family weeps in the background while Chris looks appropriately compassionate.

German half carries rubber-legged Emiliano home and schleps him into the dark house. Anybody home? Romina hides under the dining room table and thinks drat.

Carlota is in the kitchen nagging Rufi and having a temper fit. Mac comes in and says don’t be that way, it’s nothing personal. Carlota says of course it’s personal! She starts grabbing platters to take to the dining room.

German leaves Emiliano’s house. Romina goes up and finds Emiliano passed out on top of the bed. She sneaks his cell out of his pocket and calls her own cell. She gets on the bed with him and starts kissing him. It’s me, she says, and I love you. He doesn’t seem to notice.

Looks like Chris never showed. The ladies all leave and Padre Mateo thanks Mac for being so understanding. Carlota stands around looking petulant. After everyone has left, Mac says you could have at least pretended to understand. Carlota says and be a hypocrite? Mac says she was a little disappointed, and Carlota says you are such a weakling.

Mac says it must have been something important that kept him away. And she adds a bit tentatively We’re not all put on the planet just to make you happy, you know. They go in.

Chris walks up just then. He notices the house is quiet, and then sees the lights being turned off.

And thus ends another fun-filled day at Casa de las Espinoza de los Monteros.

Emiliano and Romina are asleep in bed, under the covers, and naked. Whoo hoo! Emiliano wakes up and looks at Romina’s sleeping form, startled. And (true, I swear!) he says ¿Qué haces aquí?

She wakes up and says what do you mean? Last night you begged me to come to you and you told me you loved me and we spent the night together.

He looks at her, taken aback, and says (I’m not making this up) No puede ser! My first time, she lies. Don’t you remember? Emiliano says did I call you? Romina says if you don’t believe me, check your cell. He does. She says you’ve made me happiest woman on earth. It was amazing. Oops, look at the time, she says. If my mother finds out I’ve stayed out, she’ll kill me. Gotta run!

Chris tells Padre M about the dying man, and coming too late to the house. Padre M says you did the right thing, but Carlota is very unhappy. You should apologize. Chris says please explain to her, but Padre M says it would be best if you went to her house and apologized in person.

At breakfast, Rufi tells Paloma, who apparently wasn’t invited yesterday, what happened and didn’t happen at the welcome party. Rufi says Carlota way overdid the preparations, like she was expecting the King of Spain.

Romina is at home in her school uniform, loading up her backpack when Camila comes down and demands to know where she was. Her bed is untouched. Romina says I came home around midnight and you were sound asleep. I made my bed this morning as a thanks for you letting me go out tonight.

Camila falls for it. She says she wants to go with Romina because she has to talk to Angelica.

From his bedroom, Emiliano calls German who tells him boy, did you tie one on. Emiliano mentions Romina’s name and German says you must’ve had a nightmare. Ha ha ha! I’ll call you later.

The ad chopped off the very start of the next scene. We’re in front of the school with Romina and Camila and Paloma. Romina is talking about a birthday party and Camila assumes Paloma was there, but Paloma says she had no idea. Romina says nobody invites Paloma because her aunt won’t let her out. Camila says the aunt is much better. Romina says nobody wastes time asking Paloma. Paloma looks stunned.

Mac gets a call, probably from Padre M. Chris is going to come by to apologize in person. Mac asks Carlota to receive him cordially and not to throw a scene. Carlota says she’ll receive him, but he better show respect.

Angelica tells Camila that Romina has to pull 8s in order to pass and this is her last chance. Camila says I’ll hire a tutor. Angelica says I have to tell you something else. That scholarship that Paloma lost? She lost it because of Romina. Angelica says she asked the girls who witnessed it and they told her what really came down. Paloma did it to keep Romina from being expelled. Angelica says and the thing that really concerns me is that Romina couldn’t be bothered to lift a pinky to set things right.

Camila has tears standing in her eyes. Angelica says you haven’t set that example, so there must be something making Romina act like that. She really needs counseling, or she’s going to keep up with the lying.

Orlando bounces into Emiliano’s office, bags of uniforms in hand. He says he’s helping Chris too. Emiliano says Chris? Orlando says Chris, Juan, whatever. We were friends in college!

And how are you, partner? Orlando gets up from his desk and looks all darkly troubled and Hamlety and says lousy. I got drunk last night and woke up with Romina beside me. Orlando says that’s very bad. Emiliano says yes. Romina lost her virginity in my bed last night and I don’t remember a thing.

Jeez, Emiliano. Gentlemen protect women’s reputations. To his credit, Orlando doesn’t look like lucky you. Instead he looks stricken.

Camila is standing outside the school gate, crying. Rafa happens to drive by and sees her. He leaps out and wants to find out what’s wrong. He talks her into going for coffee. Nothing like coffee to settle the nerves.

Romina leaves a voice message on Diana’s phone thanking her and telling her it went perfectly. I hope she left that message on Diana’s cell –what if Emiliano checks home messages later?

Paloma tells the Mother Superior that she’s paid up her tuition. The MS asks if she’d like to talk about that incident – it was too bad to lose the scholarship. Paloma says no, that’s the consequence of my actions and I accept that. The MS says you have such strong values. You probably got them from your aunts. Angelica had stuck up for you and I was about to relent, but your aunt Carlota said you should face the consequences.

Paloma is stunned.

Carlota writes her lawyer a check. He can cash it for cash in Mexico City. Maybe she’s doing something fishy with the money, I couldn’t tell. She tells him where to find her in Mexico City.

At a picturesque outdoor café, Camila wonders to Rafa where she went wrong with Romina. Rafa says you try to raise ‘em up right and then good luck what happens after that. Camila can’t believe Romina’s values are so wonky. Rafa figures Romina was afraid of getting in trouble but Camila says the bad part is letting Paloma take the fall. And her aunt sold her pearls to pay her tuition. I can’t stand that Romina has gotten off scot free. What would you do?

I’d make my son responsible for his actions, says Rafa. Too late, says Camila. Rafa says take some money you were going to give to her and give it to Romina for her studies. Thank you says Camila, and she lays her hands on his. There goes their song again!

Romina comes into the girls’ bathroom and tough luck, runs into Liliana who says I saw Emiliano kissing a girl in the rain. I didn’t see who it was, but she had art supplies and probably takes classes from Olga.

Mac is staring at the big photo she has in her box of memories. She says it kills me to let go of you. It was hard to give up the necklace, but a part of me feels freed. Maybe I’ll feel the same way about the photo. She slowly rips it up. Why do I still miss you so much? Of course this scene involves plenty of tears and dramatic music.

Romina comes up to Paloma who says I was waiting for you to walk together. Romina demands Are you taking art classes again? Yes, why? says Paloma and Romina slaps her hard. Paloma holds her cheek and looks at her in astonishment. Why did you hit me?

Romina says you’re the worst friend in the world. I don’t want to see you again – ever! She stomps off leaving Paloma calling after her What did I do? Liliana shows up. Paloma says Romina wanted to know if I was taking art classes and then she slapped me. Liliana says you mean it was you? We see a black and white flashback of Liliana seeing the kiss from a distance, but she just sees Emiliano’s back. How she sees the art supplies is a mystery best left uncontemplated.

I never would have said a word! I saw Emiliano kissing somebody who was carrying art supplies. Paloma says he kissed me by force! I’m not going with him! I would never do that to Romina! Liliana hugs her.

Chris is praying. He has to see Carlota and maybe God planned it so they could meet without others around. He hopes he can deal with it.

Romina slams into her house. Camila confronts her right away. Romina bawls that Paloma is the traitor, she’s taken Emiliano. Camila says you broke up and he has a right to be with whomever he wants. No he doesn’t says Romina. He’s my joy. Nobody can have him but me. Camila says Paloma lost her scholarship because she didn’t want you expelled. And now you’re going to give her money to help her pay for her studies.

Not a chance, says Romina. Yes, you are, says Camila. I’m taking some of your inheritance money and giving it to her for her studies. I hate you! says Romina and runs up the stairs, all her bridges in flames.

Tearful Paloma arrives home just as Chris is about to knock. She introduces herself and he says why so sad? Can I help? She says nobody can. Chris says God can. Can you tell Carlota that Padre Juan is here to see her?

Avances: Chris is waiting at the door, but here comes Carlota down the street under full sail. Romina gives Emiliano a big kiss in front of her door and checks to make sure Paloma sees her from the window.

Labels: amor