Caray, Caray!

Friday: Paloma goes to Gabriel in Mexico City. He doesn’t want her to stay out of pity and then see him croak. She says she really cares about him and wants him to come back to Real del Monte. Em looks at the photo on his cell phone and leers. Lili was right, he thoughtbubbles. His friend is betraying him, the baby must be his. Why oh why did he marry Romina?

Last week was a doozy, and this one promises to be, too, so strap yourselves into your seats and awaaay we go!

Carlota’s doorbell rings. It’s Don E, who won’t be brushed off. Steamed, he demands to know why she told Paloma that Gabriel is dying. She says I didn’t know it was a secret, plus you told me yourself. I never did, he growls. How else would I know if you hadn’t? she says. Don E says I talked to Gabriel’s doctor on your phone - you must’ve been listening on the extension.

Oh no no no, she assures him. I could never do anything like that. Don E is frustrated and says you’re so persuasive when you lie. You really are an amazing person, so okay, I agree to be your lawyer. Carlota is surprised. Don E says there’s a sunny side to your indiscretion - it benefits Gabriel.

He strides out and Carlota looks amazed.

In the hospital waiting room, Em shows Rafa the photo of Romina and German in bed. We know it’s not nice to kiss and tell, but of course he wasn’t the one doing the kissing. Rafa is amazed that he didn’t do anything. Em says he wanted to punch out German and maybe Romina too, but he realized that the photo was what he needed to get his divorce. Smart! Says Rafa.

Chris shows up and Em goes to have a coffee with him. Rafa will hold the fort.

Rafa’s cell rings and it’s Diana crying and begging him to go to Pachuca with him to confront Samuel about the house. Rafa says we’re divorced now – you’re responsible for your own decisions. Diana wails But he robbed me! Aren’t you going to help meeeee?

Rafa says you’ll still get your alimony. Rent some place and get a job. You’re horrible, says Diana. Probably, says Rafa, and, since you called, you should know that your grandchild is very sick. You should come to the hospital. Diana says I have more important things to do right now – he’s been sick since he was born. Whatever, says Rafa, disgusted, and he hangs up.

Romina comes home from the hospital and finds German asleep in her bed. She says I told you to get up and go! He asks about the baby. Romina says it has something, but I don’t understand what it is. She assures him Em doesn’t know about them – he’s too worried about the baby. She says she’s going to take a quick shower and he needs to get out of there.


Em apparently has told Chris about German and Romina. Chris admires his restraint. Em says the reason he asked Chris to come is that he wants to get the DNA tests but he doesn’t have the receipt for them, Dr B did when he disappeared. He wants Chris to try – he’s so respected. Of course, an angry crowd was throwing tomatoes at Chris just a few weeks ago, but maybe his reputation has healed up quickly. Chris says count on me.

Carlota is sitting around in her slippers in the darkish living room when Rufi comes home. As usual, Carlotta’s not reading or anything. Maybe she just is tanking up on darkness. Rufi wonders why she’s there and not in bed and she said Don E rang the doorbell. She wants to know where Paloma is, but Rufi doesn’t know.

Carlota says if Paloma thinks she doesn’t have to answer to her anymore just because she turned 18, she’s sorely mistaken. Carlota then asks what the news on the street is. Rufi says all people can talk about is Dr B disappearing. Carlota says they think he’s dead, right? Rufi says they don’t know. One flower lady said that she’d seen him that night.

Really? says Carlota, her eyes narrowing. Rufi says he appeared to the lady, like a ghost, but I think the lady was just trying to get attention.

Carlota thoughtbubbles: Could it be he’s alive? Is that why I got that call yesterday?

En cambio, no…. and we go to ad. There’s Aracely Whatshername with abundant crimson curls, her surging bosom trying to escape a period dress, and Eduardo Yanez with long flowing locks blowing in the wind. Hmm.

Camila is just doing up a red pair of those high-waist trousers that look so good on her. She tells Orlando that she just can’t go to Houston now with the baby so sick. He understands, he says. Camila says they’re going to baptize the baby. Orlando says he prefers not to go alone, but he has to go.

Gabriel has cooked up a nice lunch and he and Paloma are eating at a table in the yard. She notes that they both have been around death a lot, but in different ways. He says her experiences have given her art maturity and depth.

Gabriel tells her that his parents died young and he learned you could either spend your life crying in a corner, or you can use every moment to the max. She says she loves that about him.

She has to get back, she says, Are you coming with me? He says no, he wants to stay, but he takes her hands and says You’re not going to leave just now either. You wanted to enjoy the time we have together – then let’s do that, even if it’s just for now.

Don E arrives at Gabe’s Real del Monte studio, where the maid is still cleaning up. That must’ve been one helluva party. His cell rings and it’s Natalia telling him she has “him” at her house now. Don E’s glad. Natalia says he’s not any better. Don E thanks her for her help and she says it’s her great pleasure – she’s at the head of the long line of people who are thirsting for justice.

The baby is getting baptized by Padre B in scrubs while a nurse in scrubs holds him. Em, Romina, Camila and the two granddaddies watch from behind the observation glass. Romina says he’s so cute, he looks just like you, Emiliano. Em looks away from her in disgust.

Em asks a passing nurse if the test results are back yet. No, she says. Romina says to him, don’t worry, we’ll have him at home soon. Em stomps off angrily. What’s with him? asks Romina. I need him to console me, support me, or something. Camila soothes her.

Paloma and Gabriel are in the open-air top seats of what is probably a tour bus, riding around seeing the sights in Mexico City. Apparently the city is a hoot, because they’re both pointing and laughing full-out for hours. They play around, getting more touchy as the tour wears on. Pretty soon he has his arms around her and she puts a friendly kiss on his face. He says so this is your first time here? She says can’t you tell?

He says you are my life. She says but just for now – you said so. After a while, the shadows are lengthening and they’re still riding on top of that bus, her head on his shoulder. Nobody else has been in the top level, and I wonder if the driver even knows they’re still there.

Chris is talking to Dr. B’s secretary. She tells him the police came by, but there wasn’t anything suspicious. Chris wants to know if Carlota came by, and the secretary says not since he was going with her sister.

She finds the envelope with the results and says if I didn’t know you so well, I wouldn’t give them to you. Chris thanks her and says he’s sure the doctor, wherever he is, would appreciate her doing that. She says she hopes the doctor is okay.

German has come to see Carlota – Rufi’s surprised about that, and also didn’t know about the baby. He heads for Carlota’s office.

Carlota snarls finally! What did you find out? German says nothing – the earth seems to have swallowed him up. What makes you so sure he’s dead? Don’t ask stupid questions, she says. German tenses up and says Don’t insult me. Oooo, says Carlota, smiling, getting up and circling him. Aren’t we indignant? Not everyone would give you a second chance. So deliver.

He says You haven’t told me what you want me to do. She stands close and says What would you like? He grabs her and kisses her forcefully.

On the phone, Natalia asks somebody if “they” are coming. Great! It needs to be on those dates. I’ll call again, and remember, don’t tell anybody. She hangs up and smiles.

The lady doctor has come out and is telling our group that the baby has cystic fibrosis. She has to flip her head back and forth to do her announcement as, in typical telenovela style, half the group is lined up on one side of her, and the other on the other half, so they show their faces to the camera.

She says in a preemie, anything can be serious. Also, the results from Em and Romina have come back, but….

But what, doctor? Both parents have to be carriers and Romina is but…. Emiliano isn’t. Em glares at Romina, who cuts a look at him, then looks away, like a dog caught with a chewed shoe.

The doctor says either the results are wrong, or Emiliano isn’t the father. Jeez, why not announce it over the loudspeaker? All eyes on are on Romina. Em yells at her Now is the time to tell the truth! Who is the father of the child? You, says Romina. Only you.

Chris arrives with the envelope and hands it to Em, telling him You aren’t the father of the baby. Romina darts her eyes back and forth between him and Em and realizes what’s up. She stares at Em.

It’s not true, she says. I had a test done before the baby was born, remember? And it proves you are the father. No, it doesn’t, he snarls, and this explains why Bernando was born “premature.” Rafa grabs his shoulders and says fighting won’t solve anything.

For her part, Camila, takes Romina’s shoulders and says Who is the father? It’s Emiliano, Romina swears.

The doctor says If we don’t have the real father, we can’t do the treatment. (Hands up if you think this is true. Anyone?)

Chris says Romina, nobody is judging you. (Ha!)But the life of an innocent child depends on you and the real father. Romina says Emiliano is the father.

Liar! explodes Em as he lunges at her. Rafa grabs him and pulls him back. Em leaves to get a little fresh air, and Camila grabs Romina roughly by the arm and drags her off, saying You and I have to talk.

Emiliano is outside the hospital, panting from adrenaline, scowling. He’s a much better scowler than he is a mooner – he might have a bright future as a telenovela bad guy, maybe curling his lip as he murders somebody. And now guess who runs up? Anamar, who just happens to be strolling near the hospital. Is something wrong with your baby? she wants to know. Em snaps that it’s not his baby.

Paloma is about to leave. She’s tearful and says Mexico City is beautiful – she would have loved to live there. Gabriel says then stay – I’ll help you.

No, she says. You wanted this to be our last time together, right? I don’t get it – it seems foolish, a waste of time. We could have more days like today, but if you don’t want that, there’s nothing I can do.

She throws her arms around him. They both anguish. She tells him she’ll never forget this day. She gets into the chauffeured car. He walks to his front door, then turns. He anguishes for a nanosecond. Usually a moment like this would get a huge long take, with a closeup of his eyes brimming with tears, and violins swooning in the background, but hey, we’re in ultimas semanas.

He runs back to the car, grabs the door and pulls her out. Don’t go! I’ll go with you! Really? says Paloma. He says For the rest of the time I have left. But I don’t want you to see me die. When the time comes, I want you to let me go. Okay, she says, but only at that last moment. They kiss, a real kiss this time.

Whadda job sighs the chauffer. But they don’t show that.

Carlota is at home and sees a big manila envelope has been slid under the door. She opens it. In cut-out letters it says I’m alive. Look out. Her eyes pop wide.

Who knew a Yorkie could use scissors?

Camila is telling off Cleopatra, the Queen of Denial big time. She tells her the gig is up, the tests are in, and she just set up this whole thing to trap Emiliano. No no no, says Romina, I don’t want to hear any more! She claps her hands over her ears.

Camila yanks them off and tells her she’s not a kid any more, that the life of the baby is hanging in the balance, and she’d better get the father of the child, German or whoever it is, and get him in here. No, no, says Romina, running off.

Back to Em and Anamar. He wonders how he could have been so stupid. She says he’s not stupid, he has values. He snorts Values? I must run around looking like a sucker. No, she says, you thought the child was yours and did the right thing. It’s the child’s mother who has no values. Your values are what made me fell in love with you

Luz tells the social worker about the mean guy holding a knife to her throat to scare her into giving the little girl back. She looked tough, she said, but she was plenty scared. What to do? They’re going to file charges.

Diana is at the visitor’s room of the prison, asking Samuel about her house. He said the business deal went south, but don’t worry. When he gets out, he’ll get it back. Diana says How could I have been such an idiot? You’re a crook, a user, a loser. He says don’t insult me. He tells her she’s a grasping ugly woman. Etc.

He tells her how could she think she could compete with Camila, who is beautiful and classy? She lunges across the table and grabs his neck. The guards pull her off, and all the other prisoners and visitors swivel their heads to enjoy the show. He calls after her You don’t know how revolting it was to get in bed with you!

Rufi is cooking and is surprised when Madeleine is rolled in by her manservant. Madeleine says she came to have a tea with her there in her kitchen. My kitchen? Says Rufi a bit shyly. Madeleine says the kitchen is the best place to have tea and talk.

At her house (or wherever she it is she’s been staying lately), Natalia is talking to a man I don’t recognize. She’s filling him in – seems like he didn’t know that Alonso died until just recently. She says that Roberto (Alonso’s business friend) was out of town on his honeymoon, and she didn’t know anybody else. They told her he’d gone to Columbia (read: has a job on another telenovela), and that this guy was taking care of things.

The guy says that the Alonso’s death must be connected to the information that Alonso had about the will. He believes, from the information Alonso gave to Roberto about the will, that apparently Paloma originally was supposed to get her inheritance at 18, and you can’t change a will after the people who had it drawn up have died.

Natalia sighs that it looks like the investigation will have to continue. Too bad Alonso died before finding out the results. The fellow says probably his death was caused by the investigation. If it has to do with Inaki being murdered, then probably the same person altered the will.

Natalia says So you think Alonso wanted to kill Carlota? If that woman is the she-devil you say she is, it’s possible, he says. We need to find out where Carlota was during the time that Alonso disappeared and was found dead.

Whoa, says Natalia, holding her head.

Rufi and Madeleine are having their tea. Mad tells her sweetly not to be jealous of her. Rufi says me? Jealous? Mad says down through the years she’s learned to read people. She says Rufi and she are co-grandmothers. Tears come to Rufi’s eyes. Mad says I thank you so much for all the love you have given Paloma all these years. Rufi says I’m just a servant. Por favor! says Mad tenderly. Mad says we are all different in our values and our feelings, but our social class doesn’t matter.

Glad you cleared that up, Mad.

Mad says even if you’re not a blood relative, you’ve given Paloma much more love than that horrid aunt of hers. Rufi says I don’t want to be separated from Paloma. Mad says How can you think you would be! Look, I don’t want you to call me Senora, call me Madeleine. I want you to help me by bringing Paloma to feel a little tenderness towards me. Now it’s Mad’s turn to be tearful.

Rufi says as soon as she learns you are her grandmother, she will love you. Mad says I want her to love me because I’ve earned it like you did. That’s the love that really counts. Tell me what’s she’s like, how I can win her over. They smile happily at one another.

German is strutting happily down the street and spots Em moodily leaning on a tree branch. What’s up, homie? he says. Em slugs him, and tells him he needs to show up at the hospital right now because the baby is sick and they need its father.

You’re the dad, German protests. Em says they did tests and it’s not me. German swears he’s never had anything to do with Romina. Oh yeah? says Em, whipping out his cell phone. Check this out.

German says oh. That’s not me. Em slugs him in the stomach, then throws him against the tree trunk. Ouch! Slo-mo, with Em’s hair swinging dramatically. German’s on the ground, the wind knocked out of him, blood streaming from his mouth. He holds his hands up to tell Em to stop.

Romina is coming down the hospital hallway alone and Chris intercepts her, telling her he wants to talk to her about her relationship with Emiliano, the baby, and herself. She says Look, Padre, or ex-Padre, whatever you are. I don’t want to hear your sermonizing. He says he cares about Emiliano, and…. She says then give him your advice, not me. She flounces off.

Distraught Camila is a coffee shop with Meche and Monica, telling them that Romina ran off and she hopes she went to look for the real daddy. Camila figures that the first test was faked, and who would do that? Meche says somebody who wanted Romina to marry Paloma. Camila says Who would that be?

Meche flashes back to that day at the lab when somebody in a big coat and hat handed a fat envelope to the receptionist at the lab. She tells Camila she saw Carlota that day, dressed to be unrecognizable, handing over the envelope. A bribe!

Em has dragged bleeding German into the waiting room and tells Romina, who for once hasn’t fled the scene to go shoe shopping, that here’s the daddy. She denies it. Em dramatically whips out the tiny phone. She looks at the picture, bobbles for a moment, and then says I don’t know who sent you that – it’s been photoshopped.

Em grabs her and says I took it. I was coming by to bring you to the hospital. I want German to take a test. No! says German.

It’s not necessary, he says. I don’t want to keep lying. Behind Em’s shoulder, Romina gestures for him to shut up. I was afraid to get a paternity test, even when Dr B offered.

Romina runs over and gives him a shove. Shut up! she says. You shut up, says Em.

German says my mother died of cystic fibrosis. The child is yours, Romina, and mine.

If German is Em’s friend since childhood, how did Em not know this already? Sigh.


Avances: Paloma tells Carlota she was with Gabriel, and Carlota slaps her.

Labels: amor