Caray, Caray!

Remember those hot sultry evenings of summer when the heat lightning started to flash, the hot moist air wrapped around you like a cloak and you knew an incredible storm was coming? Tonight was kind of like that. Lots of hot loving, some raunchy, some semi-chaste, some tender and sweet...but oh my, you could feel the storm clouds gathering.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. When last we met, Monita and Mauricio were wrapped up together and Carlos was breathing into a paper bag. (Glad that martini cooled you down, hot lips!) Monita finally admits she knew it was Mauricio all along and as usual he's confused, but what the heck, why worry that there doesn't seem to be much brain power behind those nice eyes. He's happy; she's happy.

So on to Beto and Constanza. Oh no, he's still got on his socks! and they're black. I need to cover my eyes. Also need to cover my ears. Connie's idea of post-coital nuzzling is to talk about how she's going to take all Mauricio's money and his kids as well. Beto wonders why she has to be so mean. We do too. What a Rottweiler.

So, wanna go back to M& M? To tell the truth, they're a bit insipid. You know, the usual: I love you. I love you more. Now I have not only the man of my life but the man of my dreams. Okay. Enough, right?

Back to serpent woman. The clever witch is about to figure out that Beto must have been the double in the Furia Enmascarada disguise but he cleverly throws her off track with loud macho declarations of Mauricio hate, and a volley of kicks on various pieces of furniture. He's thumping, he's growling, he's got her fooled for now but as she hugs him and coos "You're going to help me ruin him, aren't you?, he gets that Whoops look on his face. Yep, Beto's between a rock and a hard place. Or will be soon.

So whassup back with Maricio and Monita? Well, not much. Mauricio, ever the gentleman, isn't about to get to criterion behavior with his beloved temptress. That would make her "la otra", the mistress, and he can't do that to her. They'll have to wait until his divorce is final. She thanks him for his courtesy. Big waste of a tiger dress if you ask me. But I understand the concept. I wasn't raised Presbyterian for nuthin'. They conclude with some tender talk about war. War with Constanza. But Mau won't be alone in this war, Monita will be right beside him. And what's more Beto will help us, promises Mauricio. He'll testify to the adulterous affair, the pregnancy, everything! Moni can't believe this until he tells her how Beto donned the costume to save his secret at the party. She's blown away. Wow, what he did for me...for us, she stammers, I can't believe it. Well, neither can we. When push comes to shove, I'm thinking Beto will cave to Constanza. Storm clouds gathering for sure. What's the take-away from all this? Monita and Mauricio will have to stay away from each other, punto...until the divorce is final.

Alright, moving through our couples list, we find Estrella and Aldo. She's looking peaked, downright tired. And for the first time I thought she looked old. Definitely a lot older than Aldo. He's fussing about the possible pregnancy; she's refusing to go the the doctor. We've got that one hanging in the air. But both he and Estrella are clearly worried.( PSA for waiting till you're older to have sex? Lots of luck with that, broadcasters.)

Somewhat later. Beto returns to the barrio and an effusive Monita. Kisses and hugs. Are you drunk? he asks. Nope. She just learned how he helped Mauricio and how he's going to help them both. More hugs and kisses. Making amends time. He apologizes for being a sulky vengeful brat who did things to hurt her. Mauricio is the only one who can make her eyes shine and he wants to see her happy. And she wants to see him happy too...although she has a hard time believing he can be with la Momia. He assures her that the Beast loves him as much as he loves her. And with little Betito on the way-- what could be better? Loving looks, nostalgic tears, friends and sibs forever. Sweet. Now he wants to carry her over the threshold. What!? Yep, he dreamed once of doing it after the wedding...now he'll just do it as her best friend and brother. And hoist! And slam! Her head that is. Right into the door. Beto, don't be an idiot, you brute! That's it! he smiles. Just like I dreamed it.

We're back at Mau's now. Aldo has just crept in after seeing Estrella. A snippy sister is waiting for him, warning him that if Estrella is pregnant, Dad will really be mad at him. So go relax now, she adds. IF YOU CAN. Yes, definitely sultry storm clouds are gathering.

Whew. A break. Think of it as a soft breeze in the midst of all this suffocating heat and humidity. Yeah, I'm talking Ximena and Rolu. Our new fave couple. She's tickling him--the captions say "tiqui, tiqui, tiqui", ready to trot off and get him one of the car mags he loves so much, but turns out all he wants is Xime. She's pleased but distracted. Worried about hostile cuñis who won't even tell her goodnight when he hies off to his room. No problem. Arnoldo's always been weird. Smooches and love talk. I love you. Not as much as I love you. Doesn't seem like drivel at all with these two. Whoops. Yes it does. At least to Jeronimo who enters, hears, gags, dismisses Rolu as brain-damaged and takes himself off to bed, muttering about the nausea of two stupid people in love. Doesn't put a damper on things at all. When last we see them, Xime is gently giving Rolu a cranial massage. All is well. For the moment.

Now to the bat cave. Tano and Mau are having a little heart to heart. Mau's talking about his love of the luchador life. Tano's worried that he'll never return to racing. Maybe one day. How about love life? Monita's found him out and she's totally okay with it. And Tano? Romance? Nada. Just two failures, Estrella and Ximena. He's convinced he's destined to "vestir santos" (remain unattached) but he tiptoes around the Estrella/Aldo question and you can tell he's still interested. Not sure where that is going. Anvils? For sure. Mauricio admits that if Connie finds out he really is Furia and has been around Monita he's sunk. Now think about how many people know his secret. Yep. He's sunk for sure. And another thing. His face clouds over at one point in the conversation as he also remembers his questionable pact with Monita's mother. Uh-oh.

More hearts to heart. Monita and Beto. He wants to hear ALL about their steamy encounter. Lord! I'm glad it just ended with kisses. This whole scene made me a little queasy. There's such a thing as too much information. But he maintains he just wants to see her happy and clearly she enjoys telling him how she tricked Mau and how the kisses became ever more desperate as he tried to let her know who he really was. Not something I'd tell my brother frankly. But hey...

Alicia and Nieves are looking at a magazine. It's a picture of somebody I'd know if I knew more about Mexican culture. You're going to have to help me out here. No, not him! I recognize Fernando Colunga, but not the dude with him. Anyway there's some cosy chitchat about Alicia having a go at the guy and she demurs: "esa pulguitas no brincan en mi petate" Let's not get too literal here. Just means he's not for her. More musings about their romantic past. Lusting after Pedro Infante. And what about all those suitors Nieves had? And the guy who left her at the altar? Painful memories now. Nieves doesn't want to be married in white...evah...because it reminds her of being dumped. Alicia makes a pitch for marrying Don Cesar (I thought he was just separated from his wife, not divorced) but Nieves is adamant. We're fine as we are. No white wedding for me. I hardly qualify with MY past. Alicia suggests maybe a white dress with a red sequin for every little sin. In that case I'd have to be married in a "china poblana" (a colorful Mexican peasant dress) snaps Nieves. Alicia keeps probing. Have you ever heard anything more about that guy who left you at the altar? Was he Beto's father? Nieves' lips are zipped. For the moment.

And the fatherhood theme continues. Beto's confessing to Monita that in addition to his excitement at being a father, he's downright scared. He never had a dad. How's he going to know how to be one? The usual bromides. Just give love naturally. Man, if it were just that easy Monita! But whatever. You know where this is going. They decide Beto has a right to know who his real dad is and to find him, talk to him, heal the wounds of abandonment. Ask Nieves! You have a right to know. After all, Monita continues, I at least have the memory of cuddling with my mother in this bed. And I forgave her everything. Cleaned up my past. Closed the door. Oh boy. Storm clouds getting closer. Thunder rumbling. Watch out.

Aldo's feeling it. He' tossing and turning in his bed, wondering if indeed Estrella is pregnant.

How about Xime and Rolu? No, they're still in sweetly sappy bliss. She's heaving him, with more than a little difficulty, into the bed. He kisses her tenderly. She figures it's because she's being so helpful. Nopis. It's because he loves her. Oh my. She needs to recuperate with a strawberry daiquiri. But first let's talk about surgery. He'll need to have it, so he can walk again, so he can leave her! Nopis. Surgery too dangerous. Never going to leave you. We'll always be together. Fine. She runs off to get the daiquiri. And he gets up with no problem and has a drink of water. Uh oh. Think he's about to be found out? Wait and see.

Back to the barrio. Our new minted male, Beto, swaggers in. The man of the house is home. And wants to talk to his Mamita alone. Off goes Alicia. Lots of maternal billing and cooing. Beto boasts that he's talked Connie into a divorce and they're going to form a family. He's a man hecho and derecho and then some.

And Alicia and Monita. More happy talk. About how Beto's growing up. And how much Monita misses her mom. Well how about coming with me tomorrow morning to take flowers to the niche where we placed her ashes, suggests Alicia. Feeling those first drops of rain now? Together they pray to the Virgencita for Monita's mom while the rest of us start biting our nails.

Final scene. Serpent woman and foxy Mom. Connie's giving her whatfor for letting Aldo out and allowing the girls to go to a spa. The outrage! Jacqui defends herself and once more, the voice of reason, points out that the children are just an "estorbo" (pain in the butt) for Connie and why doesn't she let them go back to Maurico. Nevah! I'm going to make him miserable. And also make sure he and that chimpanzee never get together again, even if I have to kill her! (Okay Carlos, you're always defending la Momia by saying she hasn't killed anyone yet. But she's thinking of it!) And there we end.

Previews:
Yikes. Talk about storm clouds. Connie looks up and sees a strangly familiar woman. Who is it? No puede ser! It's Monita's mom. But no, she's dead!
And follows her out to her car. Mystery woman takes off, knocking Connie to the ground. Ay yi yi. Jacqui calls for help.

Vocabulary:
Not much struck me tonight.
enchilado = angry, riled up
rosquilla = little doughnut (came up in the conversation between Tano and Mauricio)
quedar a vestir santos = remain unattached, usually refers to women being old maids
esas pulguitas no brincan en mi petate = those fleas don't jump in my bedroll. or simply, not for me.
estorbo =hindrance, nuisance

Dicho of the Day
A lo hecho, pecho = A deed done must be faced. Own up to what you've done. You have to face the music.
Lots of application for this one. Tune in tomorrow and see.

Labels: gancho