Caray, Caray!

Gonzo tells Matias that Fina is terminal and that her dying wish is to have her daughter and grandchild near her. He begs Matias to convince Berta to come back home (since he’s the only person she’ll speak to) and to not do anything crazy and irreversible (abortion, suicide?). Matias looks worried. Fina looks gleeful as she listens through the door.

Blanca, in a red hot dress (wow, still hard to believe this is the same actress who was salt of the earth Delfina in Mi Pecado!), convinces Honorio to come hang out with her for some coffee talk while Adriana and Constanza chat in his office. She takes him by the hand and leads him into her lair. What’s his name (you know, the nosey kid who has a thing for Adri) looks on with interest.

Inside Hon’s office, Connie and Adri speak about Adri moving in with Hon and Con. They both know it won’t be easy. Adri doesn’t want to intrude or take advantage of Hon, who has already done so much. Connie points out that it’s not taking advantage (abusar) since Hon is her father. Adri points out she was sort of forced on/imposed on Hon, and admits she’s not quite there yet in seeing him as her father. Connie’s glad Adri isn’t jumping on the father-daughter bandwagon just like that, as it would make her suspicious. Adri explains how her mom Aggie made sure Adri loved her absentee father. She accepts that her dad wasn’t with her because of her mom’s decision not to tell him. She’s not going to judge her decision and she knows she did her best. Connie acknowledges what a special young woman Adri is and says they have something in common- Honorio. Because Adri is special to him, she wants Adri in his life. Adri points out that this is what her mother wanted too, and accepts moving in with Hon and Con.

Hon, meanwhile is sharing yucks over coffee with Blanca.

Antonio surprises Regina with a brand new house for the two of them to move into. No problem if Cata wants to live with them or if she wants to stay in her current home, which is near the new one. Also no problem for him if the long lost daughter wants to live with them when she is found. Gina looks overwhelmed.

Dr. Do-Nothing-But Drink (and rape his wife) comes home with a bunch of roses. (I wonder if there’s a “Sorry I raped you” apology card available at the florist’s?) He is surprised to find Carina has flown the coop. She meanwhile is playing a game with Panchito, the mystery child of Alfonsina and Ezekiel. Alfie returns home and tells Cari that their home is her home. Panchito is super happy to be hanging out with Cari, who also helped him with his homework. Cari says what a blessing it is to have a child rather wistfully, and asks if she and Zeke have plans for another. Alfie, equally wistfully, says that’s not in the plans. Panchito heads outside to play and Alfie asks Cari for the scoop on what happened with Dr. Jekyll. Did he beat her (te pego)? “Something worse.” (algo peor)

In the square, Ezekiel runs into Lazaro and tells him Cari’s at his place because something bad went down with the Doc. Laz flies off to see her, with the Doc, who is looking for Cari, hot on his tail.

In front of the Church, Jero, who appears to be in a good mood for a change, is bidding Renata farewell with kisses. He’ll run his errands, while she does her church business, and they’ll meet up later in front of the church.

Back at Alfie’s and Zeke’s, Lazaro is demanding to see Cari and to find out what happened. The Doc enters and tells Laz it’s none of his biz. When the Doc then says it’s all because Cari is crazy, Laz proceeds to break his face and ribs. The women break it up and order them both to get the heck out. Alfie makes a point of kicking the Doc out of HER house, and he looks hurt at her treating him this way. Zeke gets there too late and seems to miss the meaningful look between his wife and the Doc.

In the church, Padre is welcoming Nata. He says he doesn’t know Jero that well yet, but everyone loved Rafa. They don’t look that much alike, except the eyes. And Jero has a strong personality (code for being a jerk…we already knew that). Then the Padre lets spill the important frijoles. Rafa killed himself at the hacienda over the rejection (desamor) of a woman—La Bonita. Nata is impactada. The Padre is surprised that she knows nothing of this. He sits her down to tell her more. He explains about how Jero arrived after Rafa was dead and buried. Rafa was a young man of 26-27 years old. Nata now thinks she understands why Jero doesn’t want to talk about him. Not only that, the Padre explains, he also wanted to sell the hacienda and move back to Spain pronto. The hacienda was Rafa’s dream and being there only reminded Jero of the pain of losing his brother. But at the last minute (ultima hora) he decided not to sell, because he has a good heart and didn’t want to abandon the hacienda workers, particularly Lazaro and Matilde. Nata really thinks she’s getting it now about why Jero is behaving the way he is. He doesn’t know how to handle his feelings (manejar sus sentimientos). She can imagine the pain that keeping, and living in, the hacienda is causing. The Padre can’t judge Rafa for the choice he made over the desamor of a woman. Only God can do that. Nata thanks the Padre.

Outside the church, Jero is waiting for Nata when Arely and Agustin stroll up. They invite him and Nata to Auggie’s hacienda, Cruz de Amor, for dinner the following night. Jero says it’s up to Nata. When Nata arrives, she tries to be the model wife for her emotionally battered (so she thinks) husband, and defers to him. She knows going to Auggie’s won’t be pleasant for him. Auggie challenges Jero’s manhood by claiming that he can keep business and personal matters separate, and he’s sure Jero can too. Jero agrees, gets kisses from a happy Nata, and Auggies grits his teeth and bears it.

Hon and Con bring Adri home to pack her up to come with them. Adri balks at moving so fast. She can’t leave the place that was her home for so many years just like that. Connie understands and encourages Adri to drop the Senora and just call her Constanza. Hon gives in, but asks that it not be too long till she moves in with them. He gives her a parting hug, telling her he loves her. She thanks him and calls him papa for the first time. Connie looks a bit devastated.

At the office, Red Hot Blanca is sharing the gossip about Adri being Hon’s hija with annoying/nosey guy. Oh, his name is Daniel. Now that Adri’s one of the owners’ children, she’ll be put on the executive fast track. Daniel thinks that if his chances with Adri were slim before when she was a simple employee, they’re virtually impossible now! But Blanca has a master plan. If the two of them make themselves indispensible to Adri , then neither she nor Hon will be able to make a move without them. The two of them can watch each other’s back. Is he in or out?

The (finally and likely briefly) happy couple have arrived back at La Bonita. Jero is going to ask Manuela to make them a delicious dinner and he’ll even break out the red wine. Well, if there’s going to be wine, Nata’s going to get herself dolled up. They kiss on that and she skips off merrily to get ready as Carlos arrives. Carlos is happy to see that Jero is finally making his wife happy. Mati, not so much. Carlos throws in her face that he won their bet—Jero and Nata came back just as happy as they left. Now she has to take him out dancing on Saturday and teach him. He demonstrates his not so stellar, but funny, dance moves. Mati resists, and says that the man is supposed to do the inviting, but she can’t resist cracking a smile and calling him crazy.

In the (guest) bedroom, Nata has found the perfect dress and is reminiscing about her sensitive, emotionally bruised man. She thanks the Virgin and God for allowing her to find out everything and gain an understanding of what’s going on with her husband. In the office, Carlos wants to know what’s up/what changed. Jero thinks it’s because Nata changed her ‘tude- she’s more loving (where the hell has he been, because this is pretty standard for her). Carlos thinks it’s more because Jero has changed his attitude. Jero tells him about the Cruz del Amor dinner. Carlos thinks he agreed to go to alleviate his jealousy. Nope, it’s because Nata gave him his proper husbandly respect in front of Auggie (hard to translate dar su lugar in English). He also felt tenderness and affection for her (imagine that!) since she had just been rejected via phone by her mom. Oh, and Roberta is pregnant by who knows who. Nata gave up so much to be with him. He just can’t wrap his head around the enigma that is Renata. Seems like there is both good AND bad in her. (Carlos correctly points out that’s true for everyone. ) It’s like she’s two different people! The one who played with his brother’s feelings, and another that suffers because of the rejection/desamor of her family (los suyos). And suffers because of Jero’s rejection/desamor too, Carlos wisely notes. Why doesn’t Jero just love the “good” Renata, and leave the one who broke Rafa’s heart locked up for good?

At Auggie’s, Arely is trying to convince Auggie that Nata and Jero are crazy in LOVE, as newlyweds should be. Auggie’s not buying it. He noted a sadness in Renata. He orders Arely to make sure everything is perfect for the dinner, then orders her out as he angrily drinks his wine.

In the kitchen of La Bonita, Mati is curing Laz’s wounds from his rumble with the Doc. He wants her to find out exactly what went down with the Doc and Cari. She refuses, and says they should leave married folk alone to fix their own problems. Manuela and I snort, and point out that this is NOT what she’s been doing in the case of Jero and Nata. She thinks the difference is that Cari and the Doc have been happily married for a long time, while Jero and Nata have been unhappily married for a short time. Mati tells Laz to butt out again and blames his rash behavior on his continued love for Cari. He admits to his madrina that he still loves Cari the same as when he first fell in love with her. The spare maid agrees to speak to Cari, as she has to see her about fixing the embroidery on the marital sheets.

In the church, the Doc is continuing to spew his bs to the Padre about Cari being crazy. He wants the Padre to force her to come back home where he will administer the needed medications (being the only doc in town). If Cari doesn’t return to him and keeps badmouthing him, then people in the town won’t want him to treat them and he will be forced to leave, leaving the town with no doctor. The Padre falls for this convoluted logic and agrees to talk to Cari. Idiot.

Gonzo serves Fina in bed (idiot) and tells her Matias is seeing Berta tomorrow. He then drops the bomb that Adri is Hon’s daughter.

Cata is telling her daughter Gina that she won’t move in with her and Tony. She wants to give them their space, and when the time is right, move into a retirement home. Gina still looks unsure and thinks of Gonzo. Tony finalizes the house sale and puts it in Gina’s name.

Connie gets a call from Chema of the soulful eyes. He asks how she’s feeling about the Adri situation and she points out that hubby Hon didn’t ask her that question. (He does have a lot on his mind at the moment, and Chema only has ONE thing on his mind. I’m just saying.) He tells her to take it day by day. She thanks him and they sign off as Hon enters the bedroom. He notes that she and Chema are becoming good friends. She deflects by mentioning his youth. Hon then takes her hand, caresses her cheek and thanks her for accepting Adri. (See, he IS sensitive!) She deflects again and goes into the bathroom to remove her makeup. She remembers Chema’s question about how she’s feeling about it all. Hon then gets a text message from Blanca, who is channeling Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction in her white bedroom. She lies that she’s still at the office and invites him out for a late dinner. He tells her to go home, declines the invitation, points out that he’s at home with his WIFE, and tells her goodnight. Blanca looks near tears at the rejection and ready to boil some bunnies.

Renata struggles to zip up her bubble dress and enlists Jero’s help. (Now would be a good time to help her OUT of the dress and fulfill his husbandly duties.) She asks him how she looks, and like a good husband he tells her she looks wonderful (preciosa). But then bad Jero rears his ugly head. He’s sure many men find her attractive, like all the suitors (pretendientes) she must have had. She playfully agrees there were many suitors, but only he won her heart. He’s the only one she loves. She had been thrown off by his recent attitude, but now that she knows what’s behind it, she wants him to know that he can count on her. She reveals that she knows the death of his brother was caused by the desamor of a woman. Now we get Anti-Hero in full swing. Yep. Some woman without scruples KILLED his brother. He gives Nata a penetrating glare. Hint, hint, hint. Nata points out that it was Rafa’s decision to take his own life, not La Bonita’s.
R: Who is she? Because it really has me intrigued.
J: Why don’t YOU tell me Renata! I want YOU to tell me what happened to my brother. Tell me!
R: *WTF look on her face.*

Matias helps Adri pack up some of her things. He has no time to stay for dinner. Before he goes, she mentions Nata’s call and how much she loves the hacienda. She admits to a worried Matias that she told Nata about Berta being knocked up, but told her to call her mom and sis to get the scoop straight from them. It’s not like after Fina’s performance at the office that it will be a secret for long. She wants to know what’s up with Matias and why he’s so upset. Is it because Nata is happy? Nope. Then is it because Matias is worried that Nata will be disappointed in him since he slept with Berta and is a baby-daddy suspect? Or is it because he still hasn’t stopped loving Nata, despite starting something up with Adri? Matias admits that he still loves Nata with his whole soul.

Back to the most perplexing conversation ever:
R: I can’t tell you anything about La Bonita. I didn’t know your brother, much less this woman.
J: La Bonita is from the capital, from a good family and high society, like you. She told my brother that she would leave it all for him, but it was all a game (engaño). Rafa was never enough for her.
R: Well, I suppose it was very difficult for your brother. But women like that can be found everywhere, not just in the capital.
J: (Getting really worked up.) Women without souls. Women without feelings. Women who just want to be admired. It’s their only way of feeling superior.
R: Do you know something more about her? What’s her name? Where did your brother meet her?
J: What is wrong with you?! Do you want to drive me crazy, or what?!
R: Pardon me, pardon me. I just asked because I thought talking about it would help rid you of some of your pain or rage. Wait. If you don’t want to talk about it, or aren’t ready, we don’t have to touch the topic.
J: Yes! I want to speak about it!!! I want to speak about it!!!
R: Then speak.
J: No! YOU speak!!!!
R: You speak! Get it out already!
J: (Gets in her face looking like he’s going to explode, slap her, or both.)
R: Jeronimo. What is happening? Why are you looking at me like that?
He turns and walks out the door. Renata has yet another WTF look on her face.

The Doc is trying the full court press to make Cari come back. He meets Auggie in his hacienda office and asks him to pressure Zeke to kick Cari out of his home (and back to her own home). Auggie asks why she left him and isn’t surprised at the reason. For the first time the Doc admits it’s true. Seems he feels that Auggie is a kindred spirit and points out his ungentlemanly behavior with Arely. This ticks Auggie off. He has never raped Arely or any other woman! One can seduce, conquer, or even dominate a woman. (Which does he plan for Nata?) But NEVER take her by force. He’ll help him this one time, but if he does it again, he’s SOL. Auggie looks disgusted.

At La Bonita, Mati is happy to report that Jero has cancelled the special dinner and locked himself up in his study. Nata is about to lay into the insolent brat, when Carlos intervenes. Nata turns her questions about Jero’s mood swings to Carlos. It’s complicated and Jero’s his best friend. He can’t really talk about it. Nata knows. It’s because Carlos knows him better than her that she’s asking him. “What’s wrong with him? Is he sick, bipolar, or what?” “Of course not!” Nata wants to know why he just spurned her (despreciar). “Why do YOU think he did that?” (Shit Carlos, if she knew she wouldn’t be asking you!) Nata doesn’t know, but tells Carlos she found out about the Rafa suicide from the Padre. She thinks it all has something to do with that. Carlos confirms that could be. She has been trying to be caring and attentive so that he can feel comfortable enough to unburden himself with her. She gets up in frustration. She doesn’t understand! There are so many things about La Bonita that she doesn’t know! Carlos is perplexed. “You don’t know La Bonita?” (How many times does she have to say this people?!!!) Nata points out that if she doesn’t even know Rafa, how the heck is she going to know La Bonita? She’s never even seen a photo of Rafa.

In his office Anti-Hero is cursing (maldita) Nata again. I. Hate. Him.

Renata asks Carlos to get her a photo of Rafa and is shocked to hear that none remain in the hacienda. Jero locked them all up. Renata is utterly confused. Carlos advises it will become clearer with time. Nata’s not sure time will solve this and explains to Carlos what she’s feeling—like Jero doesn’t trust her; like he’s blaming her for something; as if she were La Bonita and he was trying to get even with her. Carlos tries to make an uncomfortable escape, but Nata pulls him back. She swears that she’s not lying. She doesn’t know La Bonita. But if Carlos tells her her name, then she can find out who she is. She begs for his help. Carlos looks conflicted and confused.

Labels: Cuando