Capítulo 37
Teresa is shocked and embarrassed to see her daddy working as a janitor at the hospital. She lights into Armando about it in front of everyone. “--When I told you to get a job, I meant something better! “ Armando says well, at least it’s a job. She says yes, but as a janitor! She storms out and Juana follows her. Tere tells Juana she is mortified to have Arturo see her father in a job like that, but Juana says work is work and worries what El Licenciado must be thinking. Tere sees her mistake in behaving like such a b!tch in front of Art, and races back to apologize to Daddy--apparently only to ensure Art doesn’t get the wrong impression. Disappointed daughter, take two! “--Daddy, I’m so sorry for raising my voice at you, but it just infuriates me knowing that you are such a good mechanic.” Art tries making him and Tere feel better about the situation by commenting that any job is worthwhile. Armie appreciates the effort, but he has to work so he leaves. Tere blames it on their being poor. Art tries to physically comfort her as Tere moves pointedly out of his reach and runs to Juana to throw off suspicion.
In another part of the hospital, Ruben and Esperanza are discussing El Bigote’s coming to the vecindad and getting to know her family better, especially if he plans on marrying Espe. (Unfortunately for Espe, they threw away the mold when they made Art de la Barerra, it seems and Tere’s already got dibs on him.) Rubegote deflects again, telling Espe that she’s old enough to make her own decisions in life now and she ought to. Besides, he adds, he’s thinking of buying her a new apartment and wants her to live there. He reasons that that way they’ll have plenty of alone time while he supposedly works through his divorce. He asks her to consider it and walks off, leaving a bedazzled Espe smiling from ear to ear.
Magda comes in to the doctor’s lounge to fill Mario in on Refugio, but he wants her to handle the case. Another blow up with her? She warns Mario he’d better wise up, because if he has another fight in the hospital he’s sure to be fired.
At the same time, Juana and Tere are in the waiting room. Juana mentions that she’s noticed how much El Licenciado seems to care for Teresa. Tere smiles and agrees. He feels badly for all the troubles she’s going through, she says, and has really behaved wonderfully around her. Juana says it’s obvious both men care for her. She says yes, so now Juana understands the problem she faces. Just then Magda shows up to inform Tere that her mother is stable but can’t see visitors. Tere sneers back that she’d like her in a different hospital because she can’t stand the personnel in this one. Magda ignores the snub and Juana steps in. “--Thank you, Doctora.” Teresa whispers that Magda is after Mariano. Juana warns her that Art is coming. He comes to tell her that he has an appointment and wants to leave her some cash so she isn’t left without something for emergencies. Tere refuses, saying that it would be too humiliating at this point. He says fine, but he’ll send his chauffeur back for her at least. She’ s fine with that. Juana and she share a knowing smile as he walks away.
Armie tells Mariano that he knows Tere is upset with him for taking janitorial work. Mar says work is work, taking the opportunity, then, to apologize for arguing with him the night before over Tere. Armie says it’s better that if Mar and Tere don’t see eye to eye that they find out now instead of after a wedding. A minute later, Tere comes racing down the hallway after Mar to complain that he got her daddy a job as a janitor just to make fun of her. Or, maybe Mar thinks a janitor’s job is such a big deal since his world is so small, she sneers. Mar is all like where did this come from? He tells her that at least Arm has a job and is bringing in some money which beats not having any at all! Tere says it won’t be enough to get them out of debt. Mar says he’ll still have time to find mechanic jobs outside of work and she should support her parents to avoid Mama having a relapse. “--Not if they are going from bad to worse!” Mariano starts to say something negative about Art then but she cuts him off. “--We’re done here!” and walks off before he can finish the thought.
Across town, Aida asks her daddy to invite professor de la Barrera to her wedding as a witness. He agrees to, but thinks it’s a bit strange considering how poorly they have got on the past few years. Having him as a formal witness for the ceremony will be pretty prestigious, tho’ they agree. That’s the idea, since Aida apparently is thinking of one-upping Teresa x 2 that with her wedding.
Tere tries talking Espe into accepting El Bigote’s apartment and taking advantage of his generosity instead of “wasting valuable time together should his divorce take a long time.” Espe is uncomfortable this time around with the idea of living in sin. Tere hints that she should take Rube at his word that he is divorcing his wife. Espe then changes the subject and asks Tere if she isn’t happy her dad has a job now. Tere looks like she’s just smelled a Pamper’s full of poo. “--As a janitor???” Espe says the H.R. man says he could progress after a bit to carrying stretchers and so on. Tere’s not having any of it, but realizing it was Espe who got him the job and thought she was doing them all such a big favor, Tere nixes the tongue-lashing.
That evening Rubigote meets with Art at the manse and cynically admits he’s never going to divorce Maira for Espe since that would force him to give up half of his inheritance. He’d rather enjoy her charms and continue the lie. Art says he must have married for money rather than love, then. Rube says he considers marriage contracts in which both parties come out winning something. Before he leaves he invites Art to Aida’s wedding and asks him to be the “witness of honor.”
Back at the vecindad, Espe lies to her parents about why Ruben isn’t going to come for dinner. He’s on a business trip. Pedro insists he better show up like any decent boyfriend does and speak with him. Johnny walks in and wants to know more about this ”boyfriend.”
At dinner that night at Aurora’s, she and her father argue over his asking Dr. Ledesma to put her on another project than the one working with Mariano at the free clinic. (I’'m combining two scenes for time’s sake.) He doesn’t want her getting hurt by having to work with an unrequited love. Aurora says she can handle it, and anyway, she and Mariano are going to be thrown together often because of being Pablito’s godparents. Eventually, Hector gives in, figuring she’s old enough to make her own mistakes and learn from them.
Upstairs at Art’s Luisa and Tere discuss Fernando. Lu admits she’s still interested in him, but no, she doubts he’s interested in her. She thinks he still sees her as only his best friend’s kid sister.
Espe tells Johnny that her boyfriend is divorced with a daughter but won’t say more. He admits he’s got a thing for Pati, his nasty old boss’s granddaughter. FF:>>
The next day, Fernando stops by the house to tell Lu that they’re taking a trip to Cancun—apparently for business. Lu says she’ll tell her brother Nando’s there and then get them coffee.
Meanwhile, Aurora and Tere run into each other on campus. Aurora is upset with Tere for giving Mar back his ring. She tries talking Tere into going back with Mariano. Tere says she’s confused and can’t say if she will or not. Then she admits she’d rather Mar leave her alone once and for all; she reminds Aurora that she left the way clear for Aurora if she is still interested in him. She’d rather it be her best friend who “consoles him” instead of anybody else.
In another part of campus, Raul tells Paulo to stop harping on Teresa, especially if he’s marrying Aida in a couple of months. Paulo says no way because he’s got to get back at her for playing him for a fool. He suddenly sees Tere walking towards them and goes over to chat her up.
Back at El Profe’s manse, Art tells Nando not to be too hard on his sis because he knows that he can be a workhorse at times and doesn’t stop to either sleep or eat when he gets really involved in his job. Nando mentions he’s leaving that day but will send his private plane back to pick her up the next day and gives Lu a dazzling smile.
Paulo tells Tere that he’s going to marry Aida and that will give him the kind of money that she’s always said he’d need with her. Tere tells him she could care less, and she really feels sorry for him having to choose between money and “freedom”. He tells her that he doesn’t think the marriage will last long, so afterwards…. (He lets her fill in the blanks, but we can assume a divorce settlement). She wrinkles her nose. “--Don’t waste my time. I told you a long while ago that you are useless.” He grabs her arm to try stopping her from walking away and she hisses a threat to ruin his wedding if he doesn’t let her go. He snickers that he doesn’t think Aida would allow it. Tere says maybe not, but what if his future F-I-L finds out he’s a drug addict?
Nando swears to Art that he’ll look after Lu like she was his own sister.
Paulo tries to deny his addiction to Tere, but she says well, it’s easy enough to prove; so wise up and leave her the heck alone from here on out! She won’t say a word to anybody, though, but her best revenge will be his having to marry somebody he doesn’t love. “--Imagine! How terrible! There you’ll be on your honeymoon with Aida and you’ll be thinking only about.....me!” She lets out a spite-filled cackle and saunters away.
That evening at Arturo’s, Luisa tells Tere about the business trip to Cancun and admits that she’ s nervous. Tere says it will be a great chance to hit it off with him [ligarse]. Lu says so, she doesn’t think he’s ever going to pay attention to her. Tere tells her again that she’s very pretty and then talks Lu into going shopping for some new dazzling clothes for her trip.
At the same time, Genoveva visits Rubigote and suggests they buy a group of condo’s in a tourist area together. He says he doesn’t have the kind of money it will take. She insists he always has a way of getting what he wants without Maira being any the wiser. Rube says fine and agrees to the deal. He is a bit worried that she knows so many things about him, tho, he says. She says she keeps quiet about them for Love’s sake, and that’s why he will continue doing business with her. Gen walks over and plants a sensual kiss of thanks. He pushes away from her. She goes in for a second lip-lock and the two begin seriously sucking face. It would seem that Ruben is now going to need to be juggling three women and that he feels he’s up for it……
Arturo informs Tere that he’s been invited to be the witness of honor at Aida’s wedding. If she never saw either of them again it would be too soon, she says. He suggests that since it will be after her graduation date, that they can go together as a couple. She wonders if he’s planning to introduce her as his girlfriend. Art says absolutely not! She’s going as his fiancée! He explains that he feels no need for them to go through a long engagement since he’s not a young kid unsure of what he wants. He knows he is in love with her and that he wants to marry her ASAP. He hopes she doesn’t mind getting married without a long engagement, he adds. She says if it were up to her she’d marry him the very next day! But, of course, considering their situation, they will have to wait a bit. For the wedding yes, he agrees, but not for certain other things. Tere’s eyes go wide. Art explains that since she’s going to be his wife anyway, he wants to give her an allowance in addition to her salary to cover her and her family’s expenses. He doesn’t want either her or his future in-laws to have to worry about money. No arguments, he says. None from her, she says. Oh! He is such a generous man! She lays a major lip-lock on him but then secretly opens her eyes as she kisses him!
The next morning, Aurora runs into Mar on campus and learns that he’ll be helping Dr. Ledesma with his classes. She’s excited that he’ll be around campus regularly.
Mariano releases Refugio from the hospital. Ref says it’s a shame Tere doesn’t know how to appreciate him more. Mar says she always wanted out of the vecindad and it looks like she finally managed to get what she wanted. Ref laments that her daughter always prefers money over what counts most in life: love.
Art surprisesTere at breakfast by handing her a blank check. He says it’s to cover all her mother’s hospital expenses and to reimburse Aurora what she and her father have spent on them. Once he leaves the room she smiles and says to herself that that’s exactly what Arturo is going to be for her, also: a big blank check!
At the vecindad, Cutberto and Juana grouse some more about Teresa and her high and mighty attitude. FF>>
Arturo tells Tere that he hasn’t said anything directly to Mariano because he realized he was one of the doctors caring for her mother, but he really doesn’t want Mar anywhere near Tere. She says she feels likewise. If he does give her grief, Art tells her, he’s going to have problems with him!
Pablo meets up with Fito, meanwhile, and gripes that Fito told Tere about him buying drugs off him. Because of his big mouth, Pablo refuses to buy from him any longer. Fito says she didn’t find out from him, but maybe word is just getting around. Pablo says he’s giving it up anyway. Well, says Fito, he knows where to find him if you Paulo does want more. No, says Pablo, he won’t. Fito snickers. “--That’s what they all say.” Paulo walks off.
Art takes Lu to the airport while Aurora and Tere head for the hospital. Tere, though, suggests Aurora try on a couple of things at the dress store while she first makes a quick stop at the bank. After Aurora leaves, Tere gives the check over to the bank clerk. She is opening her own account with that check, she tells the clerk.
Ref is being let out of the hospital that morning. Teresa and Aurora have come to take her home. Mariano gives her her discharge and leaves for her meds. Tere runs out into the hall after him saying she wants to know about how to give her mother her medicines. Once she’ out in the hallway, though, she admits it was only an excuse to have a chance to apologize for her nasty behavior before when she thought he was the one who’d gotten the janitorial job for her dad. They hug and he immediately complains that she’s got no business with “that man”. He’s apparently too close to resist her charms and they kiss passionately. When they come up for air, Mar assumes all is returning to the way it was before. He says it’s great that she is coming back home now and will forget this craziness with “that other guy.”
Tere turns ice cold at that and reminds Mariano that it’s still over between them; that there’s no way she’ll ever come back to the vecindad or with him. He doesn’t understand the 180 she’s just done. Why did she kiss him like that then, and make him believe something that she didn’t mean, he asks. Money must be all she really is interested in, then! He knows she still loves him, though, or why else did she respond like that to his kiss? He’s totally disgusted with her. Though still knowing this, she lets herself get involved with that miserable jerk! “--Open your eyes, Teresa! Once he gets bored with you he’ll leave you. That man is going to hurt you!” She angrily insists that Arturo is magnificent and that Mar is the one hurting her, not him, by what he’s saying to her. Teresa then breaks free from Mar and goes back into the hospital room. She fights back the sniffles and barks orders at her mother. The others wonder what’s upset her. Mario comes in to say he’s got a taxi waiting to take them back. She yells at him that that’s what Aurora’s there for and they’re going back with her. He can take the taxi himself! Mariano stands there wondering what hit him again, a sniveling glutton for punishment!
Art gives Lu a present that Nando left for her the night before, and kisses his sis good-bye. She opens it up once he’s gone and sees it’s a box of fancy chocolates.
Back at her parents’ house, Armando tells Tere excitedly that he’s going to be fixing Dr. Magda’s car for her. Tere harrumphs as she helps her mother into bed. Ref begs Tere to return to home. Teresa tells her mother she is never coming back. She should just rent out her room and be done with it. She’d rather not argue with her over it, Tere says, or they’ll all blame her again if she gets sick again because of it. Tere then returns to the living room. Aurora wants the scoop on what happened between her and Mar out in the hall. Tere says that he wanted to go back with her again and kissed her. This doesn’t surprise Aurora at all.
Juana walks in from the kitchen and asks about Luisa. Aurora mentions to Juana that Luisa will be gone on a business trip. The fact that Tere will be alone in that house with El Licenciado isn’t lost on Juana or Refugio, who immediately gets out of bed to yell at Teresa about it.
Paulo and Aida discuss pre-marital jitters. FF>>
Back in the vecindad, Cutberto is coming to Ref’s with a bouquet of flowers, but stops in the open doorway, when he overhears Ref yelling at Tere and the others that Arturo probably planned to have his sister go of on that business trip purposely so he could get Tere alone. Cutberto runs over to Mariano’s clinic with the gossip.
Aurora offers to have Tere stay with her at her house. Tere doesn’t want to but Aurora ignores her. So,Tere out of the blue mentions that she was going to have Juana stay with her instead. Juana hides her surprise but goes along with Teresa’s suggestion. Ref sees no problem then and calms down. Problem solved.
Mariano knocks on the door at that point. Tere opens the door. He says they need to talk. She angrily reminds him it’s over between them. Besides, she’s in the middle of an important and touchy discussion with her mother that is none of his business. Slam! She shuts the door in his face. Cutberto has seen it all and tells Mar, who is fuming, that Tere’s gone too far! Mar hands him his backpack and heads down the stairs. Art just happens to be walking towards him with a huge bouquet of flowers. He sees Art walking towards him, rushes over, and knocks him flat on his assets with a right hook across the jaw.
End P.!
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The Right Answer Is: For Love And Money -- P.2.
Capítulo 38
(Well, If you were half asleep before, you certainly shouldn’t be now!)
Mariano flies at Arturo like a bat out of Hell. “--Come on! Stand up! You’re the big man, aren’t you! Get up! Get up, Arturo, come on!” He lunges again and Art knocks him over with a well aimed left hook. (Ooooh, I luv southpaws--especially blond ones with square jaws and perfect hair.) “—What’s up with you, you imbecile!!??” Art shakes the cobwebs off. Mariano screams back at him. “--You’re not going to take advantage of Teresa!!” Art shakes his head. “--Don’t you get it? She doesn’t want you!” Mar yells at him that he knows he sent off his sister to the beach just so he could get Teresa alone. Mar’s dad comes running up at this point and Cutberto holds Mar away from Art and screams at the both of them. “--This isn’t something a doctor and a lawyer should be fighting over!” He is ignored, of course. Art snarls back at Mar. “Don’t you come near Teresa again! She wants me! “ “--Lies! She loves me!” Mariano breaks free and strikes him again. “--Repeat that and I’ll split your face in two!” “--A little late for that!” They both get another good punch in before Mar’s dad pulls him off Art. “--Enough, Mariano!”
Cutberto advises Arturo to leave, which he eventually does, but not before looking over at Mariano and shaking his head in disgust. Mariano’s dad yells at him to calm down and to control himself, as hard as he knows it is for the kid. Mariano howls back at his papa like a wounded animal. “--Don’t ask me that, dad! I have to defend her from that idiot!” “--It’s over between you and Teresa! Forget her already!!” “--He’s got her dazzled!” His dad tells him that Tere is old enough to know what she’s doing. Mariano moans that the guy is taking advantage of her hopes to sweet-talk her into something. His dad begs him not to fool himself. She’s chosen her path and he has to try to do the same now. There’ll be plenty of women for him who’ll want him. Mariano is totally inconsolable and he looks it. (Although Viewerville loves a good knock-down, drag-out, seeing Mariano like this really does tug at the ol’ heart strings.) The pain he feels at losing Tere is tearing him apart inside--and out.
Refugio decides that Juana shouldn’t be forced to leave her clientele here in the vecindad just to babysit Teresa. Tere gripes at her for mistrusting her like always. Just then there’s a knock at the door. Tere answers and there’s Art looking like he just got run over by a speeding train. “--You and I have to talk!” “--What happened to you!!??” “--That idiot, Mariano, hit me.” Ref gets up. “--What have we come to?” Aurora takes her into the bedroom to get her back into bed and Juana goes for ice from her house. Tere clucks. “--Now you see what the people are like here and what I’ve had to suffer in this neighborhood every day.” Art angrily asks where the uncouth lout got the idea that he’d sent his sister to the beach so he could stay with Tere. She says it must have been somebody confused when they heard Aurora mention she was leaving on a trip this morning. (Well, considering the doors are open and the walls are paper thin in a place like that….) She worries over Art’s owiee. He looks totally disgusted with the whole vecindad set up.
Juana, meanwhile, comes down to check on Mariano and asks what his problem is. Why did he beat up on the professor? “--Because he deserved it! He’s a crafty s.o.b.!” Cutberto seconds that and says he himself heard Refugio clearly say he wanted to be alone with Teresa. Juana shoves him back for sticking his nose in where it’s never wanted. So, he says, he went to give the heads up to Mar. Juana slaps him a good one across the chops. “--You gossip-monger! Just an FYI all of you! I will be going to live with Teresa at the lawyer’s house! She won’t be alone with him for a single minute!” She storms off and the others are left looking at each other like “WTF?”
During all this, Aurora calls up her daddy to see what to do since Ref’s blood pressure has gone sky high again. She gets the informaton she needs, but only after he asks where Mariano is. She makes some excuse to cover for him and hangs up.
Juana returns and goes to keep Ref company with Aurora in the bedroom. Art wants to clarify things to Tere’s mother, but she says not to bother, especially right now. She fudges and says she has no choice but to stay at her parents’ house now. Art asks her if she really wants to return. She says no, but it would be best.
Outside, Cutberto apologizes for causing the fracas. Mar says well if he’s going to pass along information, make sure he doesn’t leave anything out next time. His daddy reminds Mar again that he and Tere are through and says Mar’s got to respect her wishes. Anyway, if she really loved Mario, then why did she move in over at the professor’s house?
Art asks Tere if she doesn’t trust him. Tere smiles and says it’s herself she doesn’t trust. She’s afraid of being so close to him while Luisa’s away. (Major eyelash bat.) She flirts and inflates Art’s ego by a factor of 10 at least. He smiles and tells her she has him bewitched. She smiles back and suggests letting her godmother stay with her while Lu’s gone if he wants her not to stay. If it keeps her mother satisfied, he says, then fine by him. He still wants to talk to her Mama, though. She’ll let him know when it’s a better time, she says, and kisses his owie again.
Tere goes in to speak with her mother and the others. She tells them that the professor wants to speak to her. Ref gets upset and says she’s got a few choice things to say to him, too. Ref’s not going to let him ruin her daughter’s life like that! Tere tells her not to get so excited. He only wanted to tell her she’s asked permission to allow Juana to stay with her. This shuts Mama up, FINALLY! However, Tere goes back out and tells Arturo that Mama won’t trust her with any man but Mariano. Art says then they simply cannot wait any longer to tell her about their wedding plans. Tere warns him that won’t work because she’ll think they’ve not been working together at all, but using the time instead to go out together and fool around. He says keeping quiet makes sense still at the school, but it makes no sense where her parents are concerned. She says then wait till Mama’s pressure’s gone back down.
Luisa calls to say she got there safe and sound. FF>>
In Cancun, Fernando flirts with Luisa as he gives her a tour of her suite and then tells her he’ll be in the adjoining room. He invites her to eat and she begs off to get changed first.
Meanwhile, Ref complains to Juana about Tere. Juana says she knows how to take care of herself, but Ref still wants her there at home with them and back with Mariano. She doesn’t think the professor has any good intentions where Tere is concerned and rue’s the day she agreed to let him cover her daughter’s college expenses. Juana tells her she should respect Tere’s decision. She can’t deny that it’s a very good chance in life. Ref tells her to look after Tere then, and not to let her be undone by simple greed with a bad man.
Aurora apologizes to Tere and Art for the hassle her big mouth caused everyone this morning and then leaves. Art asks Tere to stay close to home to avoid running into Mariano again. He will come back for her and Juana that afternoon.
Aurora heads over to Mariano to do her volunteer stint for the day at the free clinic. Mar tells her he feels like he’s had a herd of elephants run over him. He’s glad that at least Tere’s having Juana stay with her, but he still doesn’t trust the guy as far as he can throw him. He’s only using Tere, and Aurora as her best friend has got to open her eyes and make her see reason! Aurora promises to do her best. She tells him then that he’s got to take care of the cut on his face. He tells her as a future doctor she can clean it for him. She tries but, can’t handle being that physically close to him and has him do it himself
At the restaurant, Nando seems to be more interested in flirting than getting down to work. Luisa seems nervous –and probably with reason. She pulls out her laptop and suggests if it’s a business trip that they should start talking shop He asks if she perhaps doesn’t like his company. How could she not, she asks? It’s just that they haven’t done a lick of work since she arrived. He tells her to relax and if they organize things properly they will have time for everything. Then he hands her a beaded necklace as a welcoming gift. He then flirts with her for real, telling her that he loves the way she blushes at everything he says. If she only had a mirror to see herself the way he does. Luisa gets flustered.
Armando finally gets home and tells his wife that she’s exaggerating. He sees nothing wrong if Juana will be Tere’s chaperone. She angrily tells Armie that no, the man has nothing to lose, whereas Teresa has already lost Mariano! He tries to make Ref see that if Tere decided the professor is suitable, then yes, she’ll end up marrying the man. Ref tells him not to be so blind. They made a mistake letting her be a part of lifestyle that isn’t hers. Armie says what’s the harm if it’s a better life? But at what price, she asks him. He gets angry to think that she blames him now for Tere’s wanting to leave. They blame each other for having spoiled their daughters, Refugio with Rosita, and Armando with Teresa. She insists they should never have let her move into his house. Armando has had enough. “--Then you shouldn’t have hit her! That’s why she left home!”
Mar insists that Teresa is getting involved with the professor and, he adds, the guy even told her father he wants to marry her. Aurora says no, she still loves Mariano and, in any event, she’d have had to be going out with the prof for a while now; but Tere and Mar just broke up. She’s sure the two of them will get back together soon. FF>>
Art comes into speak with Tere’s mama later that afternoon. He swears he loves Tere and has only the best intentions towards her. Ref tells him he didn’t keep his word that this was only going to be a matter of her daughter working for him till she paid off her debt to him. He apologizes and says the last thing he thought was that he would fall in love with her daughter. Refugio doesn’t believe him. He says that’s why he came, to show her proof of his good intentions and then pulls out an engagement ring. If she still isn’t satisfied, he’ll marry Tere the very next day! She sort of throws him by asking him if he’s certain that Teresa really loves him the same way.
Aurora is still trying to buck up Mariano. She tells him he still doesn’t know for certain if El Profe really is after Tere, and even so, it’s one thing for him to be interested, but quite another for her to accept. Mariano insists that she left him for Arturo. Mar is dumbfounded. “--Didn’t you know this? You’re her best friend! How could you not know?” He’s really angry and frustrated, but all Aurora can do is hug him and tell him how much she understands what he must feel.
Art tries to explain that lately the attraction they felt for each other got to be so great that they couldn’t fight it any longer. This gets Ref in a huff till Art explains it wasn’t like that, and that they’ve not done anything improper. Refugio zings him good by asking him if a teacher pursuing his student isn’t improper.
Back in Cancun, Nando and Lu explore the construction site and discuss design ideas. He seems to be extremely pleased with her ideas. Nando helps her down a little drop and the two come eye to eye and look as if they might kiss. She catches herself and lets herself down.
Art admits that Refugio is right and says that because Tere is his student, he decided to wait until after she’d graduated. She needn’t be worried, he says, because if it were up to him he’d have already married by her daughter by now. So, says Ref, you really do love her. Yes, a lifetime’s worth. She asks him if then, if he is sure that her daughter really loves him. El Profe looks like he’s just been hit with a bucket of ice water.
Juana mentions that Ref is upset that she prefers having her chaperoning her instead of her mother, and, no she won’t be smothering Tere the whole time. Tere says she’s confused because Mariano has disappointed her, but Arturo, on the other hand….. Tere has a look on her face as if she’s just stepped off Cloud 9. Juana says the time at his house will be useful to see things more clearly and if she’s still in love with Mariano or not. Juana then mentions that she’s upset that Tere never asked her directly to join her. It seemed that it was only an afterthought to avoid problems with her mother. Tere seems quick to sidestep the issue and to sweet-talk Juana past that little speed bump.
Back in Refugio’s bedroom, Art continues to explain that though they wanted to wait to say anything until she graduated, yes, Tere loves him the same as he loves her. No, says Ref, he’s wrong. Her daughter loves only Mariano. The camera pans on Art’s clasped hands. It looks like he’s fighting the urge to strangle Refugio. “--With all due respect, Sra., it’s Teresa who has to choose.” She says, in effect, yes, but she doesn’t want her daughter to make the wrong decision. Arturo, totally frustrated, says he cannot understand why she still rejects him. After all, he’s an economically sound and established professional without vices, and above all, totally in loved with her daughter. “--That may be, but I must warn you that my daughter is only dazzled by you, not in love.”
Cutberto, meanwhile, is in the living room telling Armie that Tere shouldn’t be allowed to live away from home like this. (What a know-it-all busybody! Like what would he know about it?) Precisely because he does love her, says Armie, he has let her go. He doesn’t see the harm, either. Ref doesn’t seem to see yet that she’s a grown woman and is beginning to live her own life. Yes, says Cut, but she needs a guide. Armie says it’s more like Ref has become too possessive and controlling since Rosita died and she doesn’t want to let go of Teresa now.
Art wants to know why Refugio keeps telling him this. She says she knows her daughter and she has been in love with Mariano since they were children. Art says he realizes they dated, but still, that ended and the boy doesn’t want to understand. He looks Tere’s mother in the eyes. “--Forgive me if I say this, but you don’t either. I am sorry--I didn’t’ mean to upset you, only to make you aware of my position. I hope that we might get along, because Teresa and I are going to get married.” She suggests he take some advice from an old woman. “--Before you get married, take your time and don’t rush into things.”
Back at the free clinic, Mario apologizes for losing his temper with Aurora. They get back to work and discuss getting padlocks for the drug cabinets because the next day they’re going to be receiving controlled substances.
Armando suggests that Teresa needs to try to be respectful around her mother, considering how much she misses her. Tere tells him again to rent her room and to make sure Mama gets used to the idea that she is not coming back there to live again.
Cutbertho begs Juana not to leave him alone in the vecindad. FF>>
Tere gets angry at Art for telling her mother that they were planning to get married, since they agreed to wait until she’d graduated. He asks her why it bothers her so. “--Is it because you aren’t really sure about marrying me? “Teresa is wide-eyed impactado by his sudden suspicious attitude and raised tone of voice. She holds it in check and sweet-talks him down off his perch. He got ahead of himself by speaking to her when they’d agreed to wait, she cajoles, and besides, her mother is ill. He apologizes and says he just wanted to prove to her mother that he was serious and wasn’t trying to play around with Tere. Tere gently scolds and says that he should have taken her feelings into account as well since it is her mother. He is used to doing what he wants when it comes to his job, but that’s not what she wants in her significant other, she says, with wide-eyed innocence.
Juana makes plans to have Aurora eat dinner the upcoming week with her and Refugio, since she’ll be by daily to see about her and to make meals for Mar and his dad.
Pablito sees Johnny and Pati kidding around and rushes to get Aurora to come with him back to the mechanic’s shop.
Juana gets after Mariano for fighting with Tere’s boss and making her the gossip of the vecindad.
Arturo apologizes to Tere for his presumptive behavior and says it won’t happen again.
There’s a discussion at the mechanic’s shop about how people shouldn’t be prejudiced over the socio-economic background of a possible boyfriend or girlfriend. FF>>
Refugio asks to speak to Tere alone. She tells her to stop with the hypocrisy. She now knows that she and her teacher are supposedly in love with each other. Why did she leave the man she loved for this one and not bother to tell her about it? Was it for selfish reasons, i.e., for money? Tere says she was so disappointed with Mariano, but then Arturo has behaved so well with her. “--And so generously, right?” Ref begs Tere not to do something this crazy. There’s still time to change her mind. Teresa insists her mind is made up. Ref tells her she is doing this in spite of her true feelings. She loves Mariano. “--Mariano is my past and Arturo is my future.” Her mother says do her a favor then. “--I realized today that the man is a good and decent man. Promise me that you won’t do to him the same thing you did to Mariano.” Tere blows her mama off. Mama does nothing but rain on her parade all the time! One of these days Mama is going to be very thankful for all Tere’s done for her. Ref starts bawling. Tere rolls her eyes and struts out.
Everyone’s ready to leave.
Armando asks Art to be good to his daughter and to respect her. Juana says not to worry; she’ll be there to look after her. Tere comes out. “--Take care of my mother, daddy.” Juana leaves with Cut to get her sewing machine.
The shop owner scolds Pati for dressing like a streetwalker and for flirting with the help.
Tere and Art walk out onto the street and stop by his car. Luisa calls to chat about Cancun and Nando, but since Tere’s with Art she says it can wait. She just wanted to thank her for all the advice and help with the wardrobe she says—and that she is so happy! Any time, says Tere.
Art tells Teresa he can’t stand the thought of her still being mad at him. Just then Mar and Aurora come walking around the corner a ways up the street. Their eyes go big as saucers from watching Tere and El Profe setting the sidewalk on fire with their kisses.
End, P.2
Labels: Teresa
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