Caray, Caray!

Friday: Carlota tells Paloma she’s (sniff) changed due to Macarena’s death and now she realizes (sniff) how distant they are, and that she’s going to let Romina stay in the house just because she loves Paloma soooo much. Orlando sees Diana/Gudelia’s photo at Em’s house, realizes that she’s Em’s ma, and does some deep breathing.

And we’re off! At his house, Em comes in with his old university project he was looking for, but he says he didn’t find his ma. Orlando asks what his mother’s name is and Em tells him she didn’t like her real name, so she goes by Diana. Em tells Juanita the maid to tell Diana that he’ll see her that evening.

Meantime Orlando is looking stupefied. Em says what’s up? Orlando says nothing – your mother looks like she has a lot of ummm … personality. Do you get on better with her or your dad? Em says I have more in common with my dad. My mother makes me a little crazy because she’s kinda controlling. Orlando says you must be her treasure, and Em says maybe that’s why she’s that way – I guess all moms are. Jaunita runs in and asks Em to help her with the pilot on the stove, giving Orlando the opportunity to skulk around a bit, then slip the framed photo under his suit coat. (How do you conceal a framed photo under a suit coat and then walk out into the street with it? A question best left unexplored.)

Carlota tells a very doubtful Paloma that she’s not the baddie that Mac made her out to be, and that Mac said those things to strengthen her own relationship with Paloma. But Carlota says she won’t judge. Anyway, Romina can stay with us. Thank you Tia, says Paloma unenthusiastically.

Paloma leaves and Carlota closes the door and gloats. Romina, she thoughtbubbles, you turned out to be way smarter than I had thought. But don’t even imagine that you are using me; it’s me who is using you. And you’ll end up in my debt. Chortle.

Mournful Camila and Angie are having lunch. Camila fills her in on the whole thing – two galans, just dating, thought she could handle it, they both knew, Romina caught her kissing Rafa, etc.

Angie says the problem is you weren’t honest with your daughter. And she’s going to have trouble accepting that you have a boyfriend at all, much less the husband of the lady she’s staying with. Before you talk with Romina, you have to get straight with yourself.

Joel and down-in-the dumps Rafa are in the office – it looks like the new line will be a success, but even that can’t cheer Rafa up. He’s decided to talk to Romina, even if Camila told him not to. Joel points out that he could lose Camila that way. Rafa says what he likes about Camila is that she’s a mother before anything else. If he can fix up her relationship with her daughter, it’s worth losing her. Whadda guy – throwing himself on the hand grenade.

Angie asks Camila which guy she loves. Camila stirs her tea listlessly and says both. But I’ll give up love to get my daughter back. Angie says a sacrifice like that will cost you big. You have the right to both worlds. Romina doesn’t need a perfect mother, just one she knows, one who can goof up in love like anyone else.

Camila wonders if Romina could understand. Angie says who knows? But you have to decide – our culture doesn’t accept someone going with two people for very long. Obviously Angie has never watched The Batchelor. You’re going to have to listen to your heart and decide. Romina looks completely depleted. Angie rubs her arm and says it’s hard, but you can balance your being a mother and a woman.

Diana, wrapped in a headscarf and wearing giant sunglasses, is in a small shop with Inez. She tells Inez she can’t go out these days, then she looks out the door and sure enough, Orlando and Em are on the sidewalk. She ducks back in and says What he’s going to be mad about is not Emiliano, but that I robbed him. Inez says and then Ignacio robbed you. Diana says that’s why I never trusted another man. Inez says not even Rafa – he was like an angel dropped from heaven. If it hadn’t been for him, your life would have been a disaster. You’re just reaping what you sowed.

Rufi is changing the canary cage in the kitchen. Paloma tells her that Carlota is going to let Romina stay, and that maybe she’s judged Carlota too harshly. You think so? says Rufi. She’s really trying says Paloma. Rufi says and she never could stand Romina.

Paloma says she doesn’t want this affecting her relationship with Em, plus she really likes Camila and doesn’t want to hurt her. Rufi says let her stay a few days, and help her reconcile with her mom, then you can talk to Em. Paloma thanks her for being like a grandmother to her. They air-kiss at each other.

Diana comes home and gets a fright. The maid tells her that Em was there with some guy from work. Diana, looking like a cornered rabbit, thinks to herself that it must’ve been Orlando. Dios mio!

At work, Orlando is a bit distracted and fibs to Em that he was just thinking how Em is his partner, yet he knows so little about him. Em, smiley and bouncy as a Disney character, pulls up a chair, eager to oblige. Orlando wants to know where Em’s parents are from. Em says he and his dad are from here, but his mom is from Mexico City. He thinks she came to visit with a girlfriend and his father saw her and they fell in love. Now that they’re divorcing, she wishes she could take Em and go to Monterrey.

Orlando wants to know if it was his father who wanted the divorce. Em says yes, she’d become kind of dependent and demanding. She can’t get over it – she thinks my father should stay forever.

Romina, hanging out with Aron, gets a call from Paloma telling her that Carlota said she could come stay. Romina is gleeful and tells her she’s the best friend in the whole world. After she hangs up, Romina and Aron exult. Aron tells her she would make a great actress. Romina says now I’ll have more control over her, and I’ll tell her that you are a big catch.

Natalia is sitting in a coffee shop, on her cell phone with Chris, telling him all her woes right within the earshot of strangers who seem not to listen in. She tells him Alonso is a real problem since Inaki’s death and she’d like to come to Real del Monte and talk to Chris and get some advice. Chris is welcoming.

She adds that she’d like to get to see Paloma and Macarana. Chris’s face falls. He tells her the sad truth, and she is impactada. Gasp!

Rufi is at Dr B’s office, giving him Inaki’s mom’s phone number. Dr B says he’s sure Carlota and her lawyer are up to something fishy. You should have seen her reaction when I brought it up! Rufi says and now she knows you suspect. Cuidadito.

Dr B says Carlota even tried to accuse me of extortion! Originally I was going to investigate just for Macarena and Paloma’s sakes, but now I’m doing it for my ownb conscience. Doing nothing would be like being an accomplice to Carlota.

Lic. Rojas is being told off by a guy, apparently his law partner, for wanting to leave town for a few months. Seems they had talked about adding another partner, but couldn’t afford the salary. Rojas says okay, just hire somebody and I’ll pay his salary. The partner asks why he wants to leave so precipitously – is he in some kind of trouble? (I guess Rojas is so unappealing that the partner doesn’t suspect a beach & bimbo vacation.) No, no, lies Rojas, he just has been needing some time off and by golly, he’s going to take it now. The partner says if we get swamped while you’re gone, you are responsible for the consequences.

Orlando has the framed photo of Diana on his desk and he’s talking to it. It’s you and you live right here! That’s why I saw you in the restaurant! That’s why you didn’t come to the office party. You’re living in hiding. Is Em the child you were expecting?

At Diana’s, Romina is thanking her for taking her in, and says that it’ll be better at Paloma’s because, as Diana advised, she needs to be real close to Paloma. Through all this, Diana is very distracted and Romina notices that she’s not getting the 100% focus on her that she expects. Diana says oh, it’s nothing.

Romina says I know this isn’t necessary – she gets out a wad of cash and gives it Diana. Thank you! says Diana and Romina looks a bit disgusted.

Paloma is at Emiliano’s office, telling him about Romina coming to stay for a little while, and about Romina’s difficulties with Camila. Em is very suspicious and thinks that Romina is trying to come between them. Paloma, not at all enthusiastic, says she wants to help her reconcile with her mother.

Orlando is about to knock on Em’s office door when he hears there’s a conversation going on. He hears Em tell Paloma that he knows about Romina catching her mother kissing Rafa. Orlando morphs into a thunderhead and storms into his office. He gets out some wine and a glass, then gets all crazy tense and crushes the glass in his hand.

Angie comes running. Blood! Yikes! She runs for the first aid box, runs back in and starts dabbing. It’s nothing says studly Orlando. She looks up and OMG their faces are close together and for a moment they look in one another’s eyes. Some tentative music starts up.

You need to get some care so you don’t get a scar. She looks up in his face again. Deep wounds always leave scars he says with Great Meaning.

Fortunately the canaries aren’t on the kitchen table any more, because Carlota has come in to bark some orders to Rufi. Romina will stay in Macarena’s room, so get it ready. Rufi is taken back – can’t she stay in Paloma’s room? Carlota says I’m letting her in the house, but I don’t want them to be so close.

Rufi says I’m surprised you’re letting Romina stay. Carlota says you know I can’t stand her, but this house is Paloma’s as much as mine and I want her to feel comfortable in it, and I want her to be happy. Point two five percent of the viewership sigh Isn’t that sweet? This would be the same .25% of the viewers who got into the tequila.

Carlota also wants to know how that envelope of papers got in the house. Rufi says she doesn’t know, but since Carlota said they were just medical reports, why does it make any difference how they got to the house?

Camila comes up to Paloma on the street. They hug, and Camila gives her Mac’s pearl necklace, plus she gives Paloma back her money for it. Paloma protests that Camila shouldn’t pay, now that she had the money from the school, but Camila says it wasn’t me. A man bought them and gave them to me. Paloma wants to know what man, but Camila won’t say. Camila says it was more important that you have it. But if you ever want to sell it, let me know. Pal says I won’t be selling it. – it was my mama’s. I mean, my tia’s, but I loved her like a mother.

Camila is about to leave, but Paloma stops her and tells her that she’s sorry about her trouble with Romina, and that Romina is going to come stay with her a few days. Camila is impactada and grateful. She thanks Paloma for telling her, and says what a good influence Paloma has always been. Could she please convince Romina to talk to her at least?

Paloma promises to try, but Romina is muy confundida. Camila says it was just a kiss, that was all there was to it, and not what Romina thinks. They hug.

Meche is sitting on a park bench with Chris while the boys' soccer team practices in the background. She tells him Chava has been rebellious and Chris promises to keep an eye on him. She thanks him profusely and leaves.

Em comes up and tells Chris that guess what, Romina is going to be staying with Pal and it’s going to be a real problem with their secret love. Chris says well, don’t keep it a secret any more. This must be a sign that it’s time to tell everybody. Em goes oh yeah, huh? He grins.

At home Carlota says to Rufi Who? Come to see me? Make sure we’re left completely alone. Don’t let Paloma and Romina bother me either.

We’re supposed to be mystified as to who has come to see Carlota, but none of us are.

Orlando is at Camila’s door. She looks completely drained and she tells Orlando that she’s had a couple of horrible days and she’s just not up to talking right now. How about tomorrow? He says he won’t leave until they’ve talked.

Carlota looks sublimely smug. She leans her back against the heavy doors and says I knew one day you would seek me out. There in the shadows of the room is Chris who says I hate to contradict you, but I didn’t come for you. She slinks up to him and puts an arm around his neck. Are you sure? She strokes his lips with her finger.

Chris: What are you doing?
Carlota: What we’ve always wanted to do, live our love. (She paws him.) Now there are no obstacles.
Chris: (backs up) I am a man of the church!
Carlota: Leave it! You were about to anyway.
Chris: I came to talk about Paloma.
Carlota: (lunging at him again) But I want to talk about us.
Chris: There never was an “us.”
Carlota: There always was.
Chris: Maybe in your mind.
Carlota: We could make it a reality.
Chris: I only loved one woman in my life and you know very well it wasn’t you.
Carlota: A person can love again, desire again. You could do that with me. Because you are the only man who I have loved desperately, insanely.

Carlota twines her octopus arms around Chris, who rears back, eyes wide, looking at her like eeewwwww.

Blech. We need a break from that, but what we get is Camila looking exhausted, giving Orlando a cup of tea and wanting to know what it is that can’t wait until tomorrow. He asks how she and Rafa are doing. She says fine. He wants to know exactly and she says she thinks it’s not proper for her to discuss Rafa with him, but if he must know, they’ve decided not to see each other any more. Why? says Orlando.

Camila thoughtbubbles: I can’t tell him. I don’t want to start a fight between them.
Orlando thoughtbubbles: I don’t want you messing with me. I won’t ever let a woman do that again.

Camila says it’s better this way. Believe me.

Back to Carlota, who is still trying to force herself on Chris. He pushes her away. I’m sorry you try to keep seeing me as a simple mortal. Carlota says you could go back to being one! Like you were going to do for her. I know you could be one again for me. I know you, I sense it. Though you are in a priest’s clothes, I know the man hasn’t died. She tries to grab him and kiss him again.

Basta! Ya! He says, fending her off with some beginner martial arts moves

Carlota: Why don’t you recognize that there’s a man inside who desires me? That I make your blood boil? Your religion is just a refuge. You’re the one who’s responsible for making my sister so miserable.

Chris: If any one is guilty of that, it’s you. You’re the one who made sure we couldn’t live the life together that we wanted.

Carlota: When it comes to love, there are no obstacles and you don’t go around believing what other people say. It was very handy for you to think that she was dead. It took away the responsibility for having made her yours without having married her.

Chris: I can’t believe you actually believe your own lies. You’re nuts.

Carlota (smiling): Oooh, that’s the passionate fellow that attracted me.

Chris: Yes, for your sister I would have left the church and given her myself, body and soul. But you aren’t even worth the time to talk to.

He stomps out. Christobal, she sighs to herself swooningly.

Em is having dinner at home with his mother, a nice, healthy salad. She looks scared and said she heard he was here during the day with someone. Em says yes, with Orlando, and he saw your photo and said you look like you have a lot of personality. Diana gulps. She tells him that Romina moved out. Em says he’ll stay with German. She begs him to come back home for a while and he kindly says okay and pats her hand.

Orlando tells Camila maybe he should talk with Rafa. She says about what? He says why, about Em, who may be suffering from the divorce. He says Romina maybe would have an easier time if she had a brother. Camila says I’m too old for that! Orlando asks her about her friendship with Diana and she said it was very slight – they really didn’t have much in common. He wonders why they didn’t have more children. He wonders if Diana was pregnant when she married. Camila says what’s with all the questions?

Orlando says I don’t want to sound nosey. It’s just that the more I know about Emiliano, the more I can help him. Camila looks skeptical.

Diana has frantically called Inez, who is now at Diana’s. Diana says now Orlando knows who I am and how to find me. What do I do? Inez says he won’t hurt you, don’t forget that Em is his partner. But if Orlando finds out, you’ll have to give him his divorce and your son will lose all respect for you. Diana wails. Run for it, says Inez. Diana says I will – I’ll go to Monterrey and stay with my godfather until things calm down. She wrings her hands.

Orlando is in his car, fixating on the photo of Diana and looking stressed. He stares at the front of a house, which must be hers.

Avances: Em wants to tell Romina about his and Paloma’s Big Love. Romina reminds Paloma they swore never to fight over a man.

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