Caray, Caray!

Viva La Bastille! Happy Bastille Day everyone. Pour yourself a glass of French wine and hunker down with a nice cheese plate, hunk of French bread, cassoulet (or all of the above) and join me in tonight’s fireworks show. And remember, if you’re out of bread then just eat cake! By the way, when I was at the wine bar tonight I asked if they had any wine from the famous Valle de Guadalupe and I got a blank stare. I fear Augie and Jero still have a way to go before their wine hits the mainstream.

Last night we left our star-crossed lovers sighing at each other through a closed door. So near and yet so far. I think Nata’s jammies are totally cool.

Moments later Nata applies more product on the bags under her eyes and recalls Jero sticking up for her in front of Matilde. I love my cover stick but I don’t think I’ve ever applied it at bedtime. More recollections of a kinder, gentler Jero, one who hugs instead of accuses.

Andrecito’s doctor tells Ines y Isidro that Andres' little body is fighting but not succeeding. Ines swears he will overcome. Doc says it depends on transfusions and medications. He recommends they find as many donors as they can as soon as possible.

The private investigator meets with Gonzo to discuss the mysterious person who is tormenting Regina. PI says there are no new clues, but they are operating under the theory that this Pepa has changed her identity. Gonzo gets a call about a family gathering that evening and shows the PI a photo of his family, his wife FINA, daughter RENATA, and all the rest. Once again we are...so near and yet so far.

Fina’s stoolie (the lawyer guy at the company) calls to tell her he has news about Regina that he cannot reveal over the phone. They plan to meet in an hour.

Cata gripes to Regina yet again about Gonzo being involved in her life. Regina just wants to forget about Pepa and go to Andrecito’s school to drum up potential donors. She thanks Cata for saving her life, she would have died from the antifreeze mochacchino had Cata not found her. Cata shuts it (for once) and gives hugs and blessings to her daughter.

Oh goodie, we're back in the wine country. Jero tells Carlos he was blown away by the fervor of Nata’s sadness at Rafa’s tomb. Jero actually suggests that with Nata’s rotten relationship with her mom perhaps Fina was lying to him about her relationship with Rafa in order to destroy Nata. Dude, listen to yourself! But no, this dolt wouldn’t know the truth if it spit in his face. He asks Carlos, what reason would Fina have to lie to him? Oh oh oh! Pick me, I know the answer. Because you're an incredible dumbass, right?

Matilde goes to Nata’s room to thank her for preventing Jero from tossing her out on her shapely but sorry behind. However she says she’ll always dislike Nata for being La Bonita. Nata denies it. Oh yes you are, sez Mati, YOU’RE the one who betrayed my boss Rafael, YOU’RE the one responsible for his death, and YOU’RE the one causing all of Jeronimo’s distress!

Selene ambushes Constanza to tell Cons that compared to her own supple youthfulness Cons is just an old witch and can never compete with her. Cons tells the offensive little turd to beat it. Sele commands Cons to stay away from Chema because she doubts her husband would be happy to hear Cons is interested in a guy young enough to be her son.

Nata tells Mati that yes, she knew Rafa but they were never novios. Mati, arms akimbo, smirks that she saw with her own eyes the letter that Nata wrote telling Rafa he would never be at her level, and after everything he did for her. Nata insists she is totally confused. Mati says she saw the photo. What photo, asks Nata? Nata demands to see that letter and the photo. Mati reveals that Jero or Carlos has them and Jero knows that Nata is her brother’s murderer. Nata doesn’t understand anything the little twerp is talking about so she stalks out saying she’ll clear this up right now. Mati smiles like the Cheshire Cat, another successful morning on the job, thus clearing up the mystery of what she actually does at the hacienda.

Nata runs out the door, unfortunately just missing Jero and Carlos who are on their way to coordinate Rafa’s exhumation.

Over at Empresas Monterrubio Adri asks Daniel if their old employee Rafael Gutierrez ever went out with anyone. Matias butts in and pipes up “Renata.” Daniel agrees that’s what the chisme was. Matias wants to know why she asks. “Because he’s dead and it turns out he’s Jero’s half brother.” Cara impactada de Matias.

Back in the bedroom Matilde’s chronic logorrhea has taken control of the pudding between her ears. She harps to Nata that she should return to the DF because she is making everyone at La Bonita so unhappy. Apparently Matilde = everyone. She claps her hands and offers to help Nata pack. Nata thinks for a moment and says yes she’ll leave, but not before she clears up a few things. And guess what, she needs Mati’s help. Mati scoffs why should she do that when she (Mati) hates Renata even more than Jero? Nata suggests because it will give Mati a clear path to Jeronimo. She’ll prove her innocence then leave La Bonita forever. Mati can’t resist. Nata’s first instructions are that Mati can’t say a word about this to anyone. Uh oh, I see a problem with this plan already. Nata insists she will show all of them that they have been wrong about her.

Matias tells Adri and Daniel he knew that Jero was coming to Mexico for his brother’s wedding but he never knew that Rafa was his brother. Adri tells them that Nata and Rafa were good friends but that’s it. Matias thinks there is something fishy about this whole thing, especially Jero’s behavior, and he wants to call Jero to demand an explanation. Adri begs him not to and Daniel agrees he shouldn’t get involved in another couple’s business.

Nata pets the beautiful Gitana and thought-bubbles that Jero didn’t marry her for love, but because he thought she killed his brother, to get vengeance and make her pay. How could Jero be so cruel to her when she married him for love? She’s innocent of everything! Laz sees her crying and says something about Gitana losing weight because of the trip? Eh? Nata thought it was just her imagination. Gitana needs to get her strength back before the trip back to the DF. Oh no, have horses ever had leukemia on these shows? Now I’m worried about Gitana. Or maybe the horse is preggers? But I digress. Laz wonders what Nata means about going back. Isn’t Nata happy that Jero brought Gitana to Ensenada?

Nata asks Laz whether Rafael ever mentioned that name of his La Bonita. Laz mutters he doesn’t like to discuss that subject. Nata sadly watches him walk away.

Doctor Dingleberry (thanks Carlos) is at Cruz de Amor telling Augie that Matilde told Kari at first she thought Rafa’s novia was named Roberta, but then she found out she was wrong because there was no Roberta, it was someone else, not sure who. Augie remembers when he and Arely discovered the Roberta Y Rafael heart and he told her any man who loses his heart over a woman is stupid. Augie licks his lips in pleasure as the pieces start falling into place.

HR or company lawyer guy brings Blanca’s termination letter to Honorio. Hons optimistically tells the air that momentarily she will be out of his office and life forever, never to return. Silly boy, even real life is never that simple.

Cut to an evil-looking letter opener jamming itself into a locked desk. Nope, not Blanca, but rather Matilde who apparently is enthusiastically responding to work direction by searching out the photo and letter. Jero and Carlos interrupt her “work” and she jumps up and pretends to dust the desk. They don’t seem to notice that this is highly suspicious behavior for our little hellcat. Mati mentions that Nata is out riding all morning and Jero says good because he and Carlos have to go out. “Where?” asks Mati. Jero brushes her off and she gushes her work is done and rushes out of the room. Carlos comments on her odd behavior and Jero suggests it’s because Carlos tried to kiss her. (Not because she actually seemed to be working as I suggested.) Carlos admits he loves her which we already know because the Gerardo Urquiza banda music is playing loud and clear. Jero thinks it’s great, just don’t break your heart over it. Funny comment coming from him.

Augie (cue frenetic violin music) just happens to (figuratively) run into Nata while riding. (She’s not on Gitana, what’s up with that? Things are not looking good for the white horse.) Augie asks how she’s doing at La Bonita, she can confide in him. She firmly tells him she doesn’t want to confuse things, they are only friends. He insists. She gives him the 411 about Jero believing she’s the woman who drove his brother to suicide. Augie tells her to let him help her, he’s got many contacts in the area, trust him, hissssss.

OK folks, here it comes, calling Blanca Alvarado to the chopping block. She enters Honorio’s office, bodacious tatas first, and seductively takes a seat. He hands her the termination letter, saying it includes a generous payout. She reads, smirks, slams it down on the desk and says, “You know what this is? Prepotencia! “ (I think she means arrogance withing the context of power or domination.) “Typical for a boss who has lost personal interest in an employee!” He clarifies that he has never had a personal interest in her. Sign please and leave. More smirking as she insists she knows the rules. She’ll take the letter, review it at her leisure and then contact him for the negotiations. “I’ll see you later my love,” she coos, hefting her bosom victoriously , kissing her finger and brushing it across his lips. Poor Hons looks like he’s gonna hurl but the guy maintains.

Alfonsina is at the chemists gloomily purchasing her pregnancy test. Doctor Dingbat sees her and gleefully approaches until he catches sight of the box. Ruh Roh, his already white face turns a lighter shade of pale.

Roberta recalls an earnest Rafa on his knees and asking for her hand in marriage. She holds the ring and calls him stupid, hacienda La Bonita should have been hers. “You were all mine but it didn’t matter to you.”

Augie rides to The Tree and recalls Rafael up in the branches. He climbs up to the branch, is convinced that Rafa made the carving and chuckles that La Bonita isn’t Renata, but rather Roberta Monterrubio, the sister of Renata.

Matilde reports to Renata that she couldn’t find the goods in Jero’s office. He showed up but said he would be out all morning, didn’t say where. Nata asks if there is a spare car available to go into town.

Augie continues verbally working out the puzzle. Perhaps Jero fell in love with Renata but his thirst for vengeance is greater. This is his opportunity to bring Renata into his life and he’s not going to waste it! I know Augie’s supposed to be a bad guy but hunky, a vintner, one of the smarter characters? And he wants to rescue Renata from Jerko? The writers are making it tough for us.

Fina meets her pet stoolie at a restaurant and he comments on her beauty. Oh poor guy, I hadn’t realized he was blind. We see the PI stroll in after her and casually look around. Stoolie tells Fina that Gonzo has joined forces with Tony on Regina’s behalf. PI takes a camera from his pocket and starts snapping pictures. Stoolie caresses Fina’s shoulder while she gripes about her crappy, neglectful husband. He tells her he loves her, ewwwww! She thought bubbles that she needs allies so instead of going harpy she coyly tells him she’s a married woman who would never cheat on her husband. He tells her he’s loved her since the first moment he saw her. Their kiss is captured on film.

Regina goes to Andrecito’s school and talks to the very attractive principle Miss Christy about pumping everyone for transfusions. (Heh, sorry, I couldn’t resist.) Miss Christy says she will be the first donor.

Cut to the hospital where there is much weeping and consternation over Andrecito’s waning health. I feel bad for Ines but if Andres wakes up to see mommy kneeling, wailing and praying outside his window it’s not going to be good for his frame of mind.

Adri, now sporting the odious pink eye shadow, calls Nata to report that a lot of people in the company believe she (Nata) was Rafa’s girlfriend, including Gonzo and Matias. Nata tells her that Jero also believes it plus he believes she is the infamous La Bonita who caused Rafael’s death. That’s why she’s got to find the real La Bonita so she can clear up this mess.

Cut to La Bonita who is at her más bonita appointment. Her hairdresser exclaims at her luck. Most of his clients complain that there aren’t any good men and here she is preparing for one of society’s biggest parties, her wedding. He calls her Bonita and she recalls Rafa’s words again, that he wanted to shout to the world that he loves her. “How could you say that when you wouldn’t stay with me?”

Matias tells Gonzo the juicy gossip the Rafael Guttierez is Jero’s half brother. Gonzo always thought Rafa was a bit unstable (really?) but to kill himself? Poor boy. Matias insists the weirdest thing is that Jero didn’t say anything at all about his brother. His silence isn’t normal (I’ll say) and he’s worried for Renata.

Stoolie continues to woo Fina and she continues to politely rebuff him. His name is Ramiro and he wants to know when he can see her again. “After the wedding and thanks for the info on my husband” she smiles before escaping.

Why is Blanca still at work? She hasn’t been escorted out? She’s griping to Daniel that Hons fired her butt. She wonders how Adri took it and Daniel confirms that she was very affected by the news. Blanca smiles.

Adri’s in dad’s office giving it to him. When will guys get it in their heads that they can’t take any woman to bed without considering the consequences?!? She only hopes that he doesn’t pay too dearly for his night of pleasure and that Constanza will forgive his infidelity.

Sele stalks Chema and creepily gives her condolences on his mother’s death. She’d love to console him personally. Now. He politely brushes past her and says he has something to do. “With whom? That old bag Constanza?” He grabs her arms and tells her he’s had enough of her insults and her company. He doesn’t care about her at all! She calls him a “cook” as if it’s a big insult. In return he calls her a cualquiera. “Vas a pagar, te juro,” she says, falling back on an old favorite. (I promise you’ll pay!)

Alfonsina sits in the vineyard and cries to God, “No, I can’t be pregnant!”

Kari runs into Nata in town and excitedly reports she and Doc Ding Dong are going to adopt. Renata advises that she hopes Kari’s marital happiness isn’t depending on this baby. Kari asks and Renata reports that things at La Bonita are going very badly. She’s thinking that there is no hope for her marriage or her relationship with Jero.

The very sad song “When a Friend Leaves” accompanies Rafa’s exhumation. Jero and Carlos stand by and we get to see numerous, as in way too many, shots of Jero in various stages of intense grief. The End.

Avances: Whoa, Augie shows Renata the infamous tree branch heart? I can’t believe it.


Dicho of the Day, dedicated to Renata:
Ahora es cuando, chile verde, le has de dar sabor al caldo = Now is the time, green chili, to give your flavor to the broth. The moment has come to pull yourself together, act with resolution and show who you are and what you can do.

Labels: Cuando