Caray, Caray!

Never one to turn down an opportunity to kick a man while he’s down, Adolfo has just delivered a series of body blows to David after throwing the paralyzed young man from his wheelchair to the floor. David is left moaning in agony and Adolfo stealthily sneaks out of the Genoves house, like the rat that he is. He checks in quickly with his new BFF Edgar before speeding off in his car. Edgar waves off the concern of the two other guards, who had been conveniently posted to the back of the house. Inside the house, Dora and the maid Ramona have both heard the shouting and moaning and come rushing to the study. David won’t allow them to touch him or move him, but has Dora call Gabi, while Ramona calls Abelardo and the doctor.

Gabi and Juli, meanwhile, have decided to visit and bring flowers to the grave of their newly discovered mother Marta. They are shocked to discover that the tombstone (lápida) has been smashed. Being totally in the dark about why anyone (especially their father) would have any reason to do such a thing, they can only conclude it must have been Bertha. But, since Bertha doesn’t know Marta was their mother, they are still left baffled. Juli wistfully wishes that they had an image (retrato) of their mother. (You’re staring at her Juli.) Gabi thinks that Yolanda probably has one, but it’s better that Juli contact her since she and that woman aren’t exactly on good terms. Gabi receives a panicked call from Dora, with David’s pain filled groans in the background. David’s fallen from his wheelchair, and the doctor and an ambulance have been called. Gabi and Juli rush to the house.

A bit later, outside of the Genoves house, the servants and the family watch David being loaded into the ambulance, where Gabi accompanies him. Dora explains to Juli and Abelardo that David told her the culprit was Adolfo Avila, who not only threw him from his chair, but also kicked him (lo patear). Abelardo questions Edgar, but he claims he didn’t see nutin’, but he’ll be sure to question his men. Juli wants them to tell Don Mario, but Abelardo assures her he’ll inform the sickly Mario later. The three rush off to the hospital.

Adolfo’s back at home and gets the update from Edgar. David’s been taken away in really grave condition. Adolfo just wants to make sure no one saw him. Not to worry. His boys saw Adolfo’s car drive off, but he’s got them under control. None of the maids saw him enter. “Muy bien.” Adolfo tells him to keep him informed and hangs up with a self satisfied smirk. He then greets Bertha who’s making her way out the condo, and also seems to have retrieved her skirt from Elsa. Before she leaves, he’s got a favor to ask her. If someone asks about his whereabouts that day, tell them that she’s been with him since the morning. They had breakfast together, ate together, and later came back to the condo. The concierge did not see him enter and exit the building, so that’s not a problem.

Bertha wants to know what he did, but should know by now that Adolfo doesn’t answer questions. He gives her some BS answer that, although he didn’t do anything, someone’s always trying to blame him for something. Bertha doesn’t look like she’s buying that answer, but she’s picked up quite a few new tricks since living with Adolfo. She’ll be his alibi, IF he buys her a “depa” (short for departemento- apartment/condo) in Playa del Carmen. Adolfo looks pleased that his favorite student is excelling so well in Amoral Behavior 101. It’s a deal. She can start looking at brochures for her beach condo.

At the hospital, David’s doctor comes out to inform the family of his condition. Continuing his approach to not pull any punches, he tells them point blank that David’s in really bad shape. They’ll keep him in observation and then start him on a rehabilitation regiment. He does believe that he’ll recover (recomponer). What he’s really concerned about is how this happened. When he hears David was attacked by someone, he tells them they’ve got to press charges (una demanda) against this person. While he gives the ladies more details about David’s condition, FaustiMario arrives and is given the rundown by Abelardo. Fausto, to say the least, is ticked off. “No puede ser! Cuando va a terminar todo esto?!” (It can’t be! When is this all going to end?!) He calms himself down enough to join the ladies and play his Mario role.

We go from anguish in the hospital, to despair in JJ’s house. He and Limon are throwing a pity party for two. Limon thinks that sooner or later Caramelo will forget about him. JJ tells him not to say that since he’ll be able to see her everyday. But Limon thinks it’s possible since she’ll make new friends at school, and when Elsa marries Mauricio, they might move to another country and take Caramelo with them. “NO!!!” JJ won’t permit it! Limon doesn’t know how they’ll be able to prevent it, since legally they’ll have no rights. “Maldita sea!” JJ laments that he can’t do anything about this stain (mancha) on his life, for a crime he didn’t commit. But he will, he MUST, find the guilty ones. He can’t take anymore (ya no puedo mas). The death of that girl has ruined his life. First he lost his mother, and now they want to take the little one away from them. He swears that he’s going to get revenge. The two men crumble into each others arms in inconsolable tears.

At the hospital the next morning, Dora and Gabi stand by David’s bedside as Dora explains he didn’t really sleep the whole night, due to the pain. Dora points out to Gabi that this is precisely why she can’t go make a statement to the police. This is why she’s scared. What if it happens again? David opens his eyes and Gabi goes to him. With great difficulty speaking through the pain, he asks his mama to let him speak to Gabi alone. He tells Gabi he didn’t want to talk in front of Dora, because they’re going to speak about JJ. He asks Gabi to call JJ so that they can ask him to loan them his hotel manager, Urbina. Urbina will help her so that she can take control of the Genoves hotel chain (cadena Campo Real) right away. They need her; otherwise the business will soon be in trouble. Gabi doesn’t understand why Mario can’t take control of the business, as she’s seen him looking much healthier lately. David says it’s just for show. His dad is actually really sick and tired (sick and tired of playing two people). He also wants to talk to JJ about Dora’s letter, and seeing how scared Dora is, he didn’t want her there to hear the conversation.

Adolfo and Edgar meet on the street. Adolfo wants a rush job on bumping off Mario. Edgar is worried that after the David incident, it will be much harder and more dangerous to pull something off. Adolfo knows Edgar is taking a risk, and that he’ll be interrogated, but he’ll be paid very well. All he has to do is ensure no one enters that house when the time comes. He’ll be in contact.

Gabi puts JJ on the phone with David, who tells JJ what happened and who did it. David wants to press charges, but there are no other witnesses. He asks JJ to loan them Urbina and he gladly agrees. Gabi cuts the conversation short as David is so weak and in so much obvious pain. JJ assures her he’s there for whatever she and David need. They are going to make sure that those jerks pay for everything they’ve done. After she hangs up, a groggy David comments on what a good person JJ is.

In their apartment, Leo is busy working at his dining table-desk, and Paulita is busy working at her coffee table-desk. He puts his work aside to have a serious daddy-daughter talk, and he doesn’t want her to laugh at him. They both put on their serious faces, arms crossed, as Leo makes his announcement. “I have a girlfriend.” Paula approaches him smiling. She already knows who it is—Julieta. “She told you?” Silly Daddy, of course little Nancy Drew already knew. She sits down across from him to lobby for Phase 2 of plan Get a Mommy. “And when are you getting married?” Well, Leo thinks that will require more time, but Paula wonders what’s the hold up. Leo tries to explain the complex world of adult courtship. He and Juli have to continue to get to know each other, and getting married right now would be a difficult/complex issue.

They’re interrupted by the doorbell. Speak of the lovely devil, it’s Juli. Paula runs excitedly to the door. “Here comes your girlfriend.” Leo tries to suppress a smile as Paulita greets Juli, “Hola futuro mama!” (Hi future mom!) They are even already wearing matching mommy-daughter outfits—Juli in a white top and short denim skirt/Paulita in a denim jacket and white skirt. Juli looks bemused at Leo, but he admits that Paula already knew. Juli wants to know what Paula thinks; is she ok with it? “Of course!” The only thing she doesn’t like is Juli’s noodle soup (sopa de pasta). LOL! Juli’s ok with that.

Juli begins to tell Leo what happened to David, and Leo decides to send Paula to her room so that he can speak to Juli alone. With an, “adios mama”, she’s off. After Juli finishes recounting what happened to David, Leo runs off to see about bringing charges against Adolfo. Juli’s mom senses are already working, and she sniffs out Paula eavesdropping behind the corner. She gives her little cheeks an affectionate squeeze for spying on them.

At his apartment, Adolfo and Yolanda are having tea, when his jeweler arrives and they go to Adolfo’s office. Adolfo takes Roberto’s ring from his safe, where we also see stacks of American $100 bills. The jeweler has Adolfo guess which of the two rings he brought is the real one. Adolfo guesses wrong and is impressed by the extraordinary copy the jeweler has made. Carlos will never know he’s been given a fake. Only an expert will be able to tell that the jewels in the copy are fake. “I’ll put the real one here in the same box with its pair. And the false one here, which I’ll give to Carlos. No expert will be looking at that one anyway.” The jeweler refuses payment because Adolfo is such an important client. While Adolfo is hatching this little plan, Yolanda is listening intently at the door. They are both interrupted when Leo and Ramon come barging in with a warrant for Adolfo’s arrest on suspicion of assaulting David. Adolfo’s not going anywhere until he speaks to his lawyer. “What lawyer? Garnica? We suspect he’s either been murdered or fled the country. You’ve got a lot to answer for and a lot of declarations to make.” Leo’s in no mood for Adolfo’s sanctimonious posturing today, and roughly ushers him out the door. “Shut up and walk!”

The jeweler quickly makes his exit, the maid looks like she really regrets taking this job, and Yolanda scrambles to find another lawyer in Adolfo’s rolodex. But she pauses long enough to make sure her muñeco isn’t shortchanged, and switches the fake ring with the real ring. Ha!

At JJ’s, Chicles’ mom, Lucha, is trying to convince Limon that everything will work out. Limon is determined now to get some education for himself and not remain a dolt. That’s the reason why all of this is happening. She thinks he’s being a bit of a drama queen. He’s not losing Caramelo. He’ll get to see her all the time. That’s what Elsa says, but who knows. Today they’re going to finalize the paperwork. Lucha tells him to cheer up. Elsa isn’t a bad person. Limon is afraid that because she’s so upset with JJ, she’ll use Caramelo to get back at him. Lucha has to admit that when women get ticked, they can do some pretty ugly things (a woman scorned…).

Caramelo comes barreling in, dragging Elsa behind her, jumping and yelling that Elsa is now her mama! “And this paper says so, right Tia Elsa?! I mean, mama.” She excitedly shows Limon the document that he cannot read, as he struggles to hold back tears. Caramelo then insists that Lucha pack her bags right now. Elsa, who has not taken her eyes from Limon’s face, gently tells them that it’s a requirement of the process that Caramelo live with her from this point forward. Caramelo rushes Lucha out of the room to pack. Limon tearily asks Elsa if he can indeed see Caramelo every day. Elsa tells him naturally, he doesn’t even have to ask that question and he doesn’t have to worry. And besides, the parental rights (patria potestad) she’s been given are provisional. The adoption process is much longer. (Meaning, he could still have the opportunity to adopt her if things change.) She gives him a hug and tells him he can come to her house whenever he wants. Right now it’s important that they do this, for the good of Caramelo. Limon is too lost in his own pain to listen and he flees the room.

At his hotel, JJ gives Urbina his assignment to help Gabi run the Genoves hotel chain. No problem. Urbina knows the Genoves business well and is happy to help. Ale arrives and is greeted with kisses and compliments. They quickly update each other on David (horrible), Garnica (still no info), and Caramelo (Ale is pleased Elsa stepped in to help). But JJ is not happy about being separated from Caramelo. Ale tries to show him that there was no other real choice. Did he want them to take her to an orphanage? Like a chastened puppy, JJ shakes his head and admits, no.

Over some delicious looking shakes and chocolate dessert, Bertha tells her fellow skank, uh, friend, about Adolfo’s request of an alibi. Given that the family may or may not be involved in smuggling, and other shady business, Bertha’s friend wonders what problems Bertha may be getting herself into. That beach condo is tempting, but Bertha looks like she’s starting to think of the consequences of getting too involved in shady Avila business.

Roberto has returned to his apartment after a long day of…what, I don’t really know. He listens to David’s message to get in touch and decides to get in touch with Adolfo instead. The scared maid informs an impactado Roberto that Adolfo’s been hauled off to the big house.

At the hospital Gabi is reluctant to leave David’s side to head to his business office to meet Urbina. David feels it’s important that she starts heading the business right away; otherwise they’ll be in trouble. She kisses him farewell and he tells her he loves her.

At Roberto’s, he’s doing exactly what rats do on a sinking ship, fleeing. He’s pulled out his well used suitcase, a stack of clothes, and stacks of US money. We know how well this worked out for him last time….

Adolfo, on the other hand, can’t be caught. He’s returned home to a pacing Yolanda. He spins a tale of falsely being accused by David of assaulting him, and he doesn’t know how the cops came to the crazy conclusion that he had something to do with Garnica’s disappearance. He goes to his office to put the “real” rings away, and returns to the living room with the fake ring. He gives Yolanda the fake ring, out of the goodness of his heart, to give back to Carlos. She feigns surprise and gratitude. He’s just doing it to make them happy, plus he doesn’t need it. Before she leaves to take the ring to Carlos, Yolanda asks Adolfo if he really had nothing to do with what happened to David. Given how much he detests David, he would have loved to. But, no, it wasn’t him. Yolanda is obviously not buying that.

At his apartment, Leo’s assistant, aka Paulita, answers the phone. It’s Ramon, who has a very shamed faced looking Roberto, with his open suitcase and stacks of money, sitting in front of him. They caught him trying to flee the country at the airport. Leo rushes off to work, and Paulita and Doña Gumen commiserate over how ugly Leo’s work is.

At the Club, Yolanda’s happy to see Carlos back where he belongs, managing the business. He tells her she’s the only one who’s ever understood him. (Maybe he should tell his shrink that.) He’s implementing a new management system that he hopes will impress his father. (Oh, Carlos. That is such a lost cause. I see more time on the doctor’s couch.) Well, Yolanda has brought a surprise from his father. She hands him the ring, and his eyes light up like it’s Christmas and his birthday and he’s just received the best present ever. He slips it on and admits how much he likes his ring. Yolanda knows. She tells him to enjoy it and leaves with kisses and hugs. Carlos sits and admires his only visible proof of fatherly affection.

Gabi returns to David’s hospital room from a long day of work at the office with Urbina. Urbina is patient, all went well, and she loves it. David and Dora have no doubt she’ll succeed. Gabi relieves Dora of her guardian duties and Dora heads home. Dora’s happy because the doctor’s given David a good prognosis. She gives the kids kisses and heads to the house to rest. Ale soon enters the room and Gabi takes the opportunity to get something to eat.

David is relieved that Gabi has left the room because he wants Ale’s help getting JJ to come there. When he arrives, he wants Ale to make up some pretext for getting Gabi out of there. Although she doesn’t know what he’s up to, Ale promises to help. At that moment JJ is getting an update from Urbina, who suggests that JJ tag along as he teaches Gabi the Genoves hotel business so that he can also learn. When Ale calls, he agrees to go right over to the hospital. Ale is worried about David. She can see he’s really tired and he hasn’t been sleeping much. He admits he’s in too much pain to sleep, plus he’s really worried about everything that’s been happening and wants to resolve things before anything worse occurs. She's really worried now, and urges him to tell her all.

At AFI, Roberto also looks pretty worried, and he should be because Leo has just entered the room. He tries the arrogant Adolfo approach. “I want to know why you’ve detained me!” Leo’s not having it. He’s the one who asks questions! He wants to know where Roberto was going. He was just taking a trip to NY. What? He’s now prohibited from leaving the country? Ramon shows Leo Roberto’s ONE WAY ticket. Well, Roberto hadn’t decided if he was going stay abroad (al otro lado). Leo then asks about the stacks of American bills. “What? They’re mine. I didn’t steal them, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Ramon points out that there’s $20,000 here. That’s a lot of money and Leo wants to know where Roberto is working. No job. Then where did he get this money? “I’m really lucky.” He won it in a football pool (quiniela). As far as he knows, that’s not a crime. Plus he has his savings (ahorros). In what bank? Roberto claims he guards his saving the old fashioned way—in his house, likely under a mattress. Leo’s had enough of Roberto’s idiotic smugness. He’s done playing “good cop”; it’s time for a dose of “bad cop.” He throws Roberto’s role of setting up Gabi’s false wedding in his face. Roberto claims that is was a joke, David’s idea, and anyway, Mario fixed everything. Leo wants to know if these are the typical kind of favors he does. Does he know Adolfo Avila? He admits he knows Adolfo, only because he knows his son.

Leo asks Roberto if he’s ever done a “favor” for Adolfo. To help loosen the truth from Roberto’s tongue, he gets in his face, grabs him, and gives him a good shake. “Be careful with telling me a lie!!!”

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