Caray, Caray!

In my last recap of this TN, Vivi is joining me doing this recap. We started this TN together and did two hour recaps every other day, until the rest of our wonderful team joined us. So I thought it was fitting for Vivi to join me. Now on to the recap. -- Madelaine

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PART I (BY MADELAINE): THE CHILD OF LOVE IS FOUND

Rosa's Den of Insanity:

Luci is with la loca Rosa in her den of insanity and has confessed that she wrenched that bebe out of Luci's arms and has the nerve to ask Luci for forgiveness. Her soul is in torment, doncha know. Luci, however, doesn't care about la loca Rosa's soul, she just wants to know where her bebe is and like right now! Luci grabs la loca's arms and is shaking her wanting that info like yesterday already! Luci is so distraught she is actually begging her.

Max in the Sitting Room:

He is sitting in the sitting room, of course at the Torreslanda Home, looking beside himself when Rod comes in. Rod wants to know what is up with his la loca Mama now??? Max tells him she is very bad off and thinks she is dying. Rod really doesn't think it is that bad. Max says this is his wife, his life partner and now he fully understands the vow of till death do us part. Rod is disgusted and says that she was supposed to protect her children, and what did she do? She separated Rod from Luci the love of his life. Rod has no time for forgiveness and he's not forgiving his loca Mama. Rod goes, and Max' cell phone rings, it is wait for it, no not Vicki, it is Jorge, Pato's therapist. He tells Max that there is a surgeon that will be in Mexico for a conference that specializes in spinal surgery, this surgeon is internationally known, and Pato has a chance to see him. Max tells Jorge finally some good news. Max is very happy. Max acknowledges to Jorge that there are risks but Pato is willing to take them. We in Viewerville are very worried about Pato now!

Rosa's Den of Insanity:

Luci is now shaking the daylights, as if la loca ever had them, out of Rosa and asking over and over where her son is. Luci is really frenzied here, her eyes are wide, filled with tears and the pain is very visible on her face. Rod comes in about this time and pulls Luci off his la loca Mama. Luci lets Rod know what his la loca Mama imparted to her, just minutes ago. La loca, in utter madness, is muttering to herself how it is all her fault. Rod is flabbergasted! Rosa la loca has gotten on her knees and tells Rod it is necessary for him to forgive her. She is completely and utterly mad!

Street Corner in the D.F.:

Don Chelo is on the corner, by himself for a change, selling those newspapers, when who should come up and greet him?? That's right Viewerville it is Pato! Don Chelo asks him if he can help him in anyway. Pato asks if he is addressing Don Chelo and gets a si, of course. Pato tells him he is Patricio Torreslanda the brother of Rodrigo Torreslanda. Don Chelo still wants to know what he can do for Pato. So Pato gets to his mission and says he came to visit Mateo of course. Luci, Rod and Alexia miss him. Don Chelo is trying to blow Pato off, in his usual way and tells Pato that Mateo isn't with him today and Dona Chuy took him off somewhere, liar, liar pants on fire. Pato says what a shame. Now Pato wants to wait for Mateo to come back. Don Chelo so doesn't want that. Don Chelo wants to know if Pato knows about the adoption plan Rod suggested to Don Chelo. Of course, Pato knows. Well Don Chelo says now he will NOT allow Mateo to be adopted, this is HIS child and he won't be separated from HIS Mateo. Pato just wants to see Mateo and is looking very distressed!

Back to Rosa's Den of Insanity:

Luci is telling Rod that la loca must know where their son is. Now Rod grabs his la loca Mama and tells her to stop with the mumbo jumbo and tell them where their son is already! Rosa, still in her own little insane world, tells them that yes, she took that bebe out of Luci's arms and then tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help her Dios, or her equivalent of same, and says she GAVE THE BEBE TO GAGME!!!!! And that Gagme took the bebe away. Luci is beyond shocked and awed now, along with poor Rod. Now La Loca is repeating that Gagme took the bebe away.

Restaurant of the Stupid, Totally Clueless Partay Girls:

So Mirko along with Gagme, Champagne Queen and Fernanda have gathered to sign those papers, doncha know, giving their total financial gains, er, fortune over to that grifter Mirko. I am cheering Gagme on to sign already, jus' sayin'. Mirko assures them they will be very rich, doncha know! Does Gagme see that Super-sized Pie Cart rolling over her, of course not and she, wait for it, SIGNS THE PAPERS. We in Viewerville are so poised for her complete down fall. They all toast to their "success" with red wine, except Champagne Queen of course, who has the ever present bubbly to toast with. Cheers to our "success" er, doom!

Het Het: Yay!!!!

I have one last scene in Het Het and of course it involves Don Aquiles, it is the reading of his will, doncha know. Present at the reading is Magda, Violeta, Procopio and Baboso, I don't think they have ever given us his real name. Of course the will starts out with the obligatory, being of sound mind and body, blah blah. The first bequest, Aquiles’ beloved truck, goes to Baboso, surprise, surprise. I believe Copio benefits from some of the business and rental payments. He also thought of Copio as a friend. Wow! Magda wants to know why she and Vio are even there. The lawyer tells her, it ain't over yet. The rest of his estate goes to Magda and Violeta, that would be the rest of his bidness, his lands, property and house. Magda is impressed as is Vio.

Back to the Street Corner in D.F.:

Pato tries to explain to Don Chelo that Rod's intention isn't to take Mateo out of the Don's life but to provide a better life for Mateo. Pato would like a favor, and asks Don Chelo to take him to the place he found Mateo. Don Chelo says the garbage cans? Pato wants to see with his own eyes where he found Mateo. Don Chelo looks verklempt.

Torreslanda House:

Luci is way beyond pithed now, and is stomping out of that loveless house of pain, vowing nevva, eva to darken its doors again and Rod is right behind her. Rod grabs her and tells her he can't believe his mother got rid of her own flesh and blood. Luci is so done and they are shouting so loudly, that Frigid and Mati have come out to see what is going on!

Rosa's Den of Insanity:

Max is with Rosa now, having learned she stole their grandson. How could she have kept this secret for FIVE YEARS! Ok , is everyone thinking that Max has also lost it, just about now? La loca says simply ,in her lunatic way, that she just had to confess everything to Rod and Luci, and she is still ranting about stealing the bebe. Max is lookin' totally devastated and disillusioned as he watches her rant.

Infamous Garbage Cans in the D.F.:

Don Chelo has finally caved and brought Pato to the garbage cans he found poor lil Roddy/Mateo in. Don Chelo explains to Pato it was pouring rain that night he found Mateo, the bebe barely had anything on and the air was cold and the bebe was very cold. Don Chelo says the poor bebe was so cold, defenseless. Pato tells him the same about the Mama, she was defenseless too, and has suffered, lo these many years. Pato asks how far the clinic is from this spot, and Don Chelo tells him about three blocks (cuadras). Pato then tells him he was so close to his Mama when Don Chelo found him.

Luci's Apartment that isn't filled with much light or hope right now:

Rod tells Luci he wants to go confront Gagme on his own. Luci isn't allowing that, no siree bob, she isn't. She wants to confront the guttersnipe herself! Rod feels, if he confronts her alone, he will get to the truth, what has Rod been smokin', jus'sayin'. He has Luci by the arms tryin' to shake some sense into her, when Mama Paz to the rescue. She wants to know what the hey is goin' on! Luci informs Paz that la loca Rosa and Gagme stole her bebe! Paz can't believe it and Luci is screaming she is going to confront the gagging one. Paz tells Luci oh, no you aren't and tells Rod to handle it, handle it. Rod goes and Luci struggles with her Mama Paz, who now has her by the arms. Mama Paz tells Luci she is sooo stayin' put and punto!

The Case of the Raging Rod:

Rod is in a rage, as he is driving mind you, he calls Gagme and wants a meet at the apartment, and gets a response of so sorry, so sad, can't. He says she better be there, click! Then he rips the blue tooth out of his ear!

The Apartment of No Love Lost:

Rod is swilling the whiskey, looks like Jack, but could be Wild Turkey for all I know, anyhoo he is so beyond pithed. Gagme comes in and says I'm herrrre. What do you want she asks him? Rod wants her to join him in a drink. After handing her the drink, the name calling begins and boy does she so deserve everything he is dishing out! He calls her perverse, vile and he can't believe she is a living, breathing being! She goes to slap the crap out of him, but he stays that hand. Yay! He now puts her in a choke hold and demands to know where his son is! He releases the choke hold, turns her to face him, is squeezing that face of hers, and informs her, his la loca Mama has spilled the frijoles in front of him and Luci and now he wants to know where his son is! She instead, shows her grill for him to see as wide as it will go. Bitch!!! She tells him he's crazy! He says not so, my la loca Mama spilled everything and then of course she says his mama is crazy! Gagme reminds Rod that his la loca Mama is a criminal and that the family protected her all these years! Then she tries to tell Rod that this is his loca Mama's revenge for her divorcing Rod, but unbeknownst to either one of them, Ms B/Frigid is listening to every single word. O. M. Gee what will B/Frigid do now? Hmmmm????

Boxcar Barrio:

*** Explicit Emotions Advisory Brought to You By Your Recapper**** Ok, y'all I advise you to have a box of tissues, cup of good strong tea, or other beverage handy and get ready for some raw emotions. Remember I warned you. Pato and Don Chelo have come back to the Boxcar Barrio. Mateo is there with Dona Chuy and Pato says you must be Mateo. Mateo wants to know who he is, Pato tells him I'm your, er, brother of Rod. Mateo is very happy to meet Pato and shakes his hand, and Pato lovingly holds on to that hand. Mateo offers refreshments to Pato, but Pato says no thanks and won't let go of Mateo's hand, the nephew he hasn't seen in a long time! Pato says so you are learning your letters, and Mateo shows him the M that Alexia taught him and he also tells Pato he isn't in school. Pato wants to help him with the letters, but first Mateo wants to take his outer shirt off, he's too warm. We in Viewerville are holding our collective breaths. We are also saying , show us the medal already, jus' sayin'. Pato helps him take that outer shirt off and wait for it, THERE IS THE MEDAL FOR PATO TO SEE!!!! Pato doesn't say anything, just stares at it. Mateo is talking about his letters again, he knows M is for Mateo and Mama and now he wants to learn the letter P for Papa and Patricio, awww cute! Pato is starting to cry, as I suspect all of us in Viewerville are beginning to, and Mateo asks him why he is crying. Pato is reaching for the medal and asks if it is Mateo's. Don Chelo tells Pato it is Mateo's and has always been with him. Pato informs them that this is the medal he got for the bebe, as a matter of fact, he placed this medal around the neck of the bebe shortly after he was born in the hospital. Mateo says he doesn't understand if this is true. Don Chelo has to sit down, realizing the truth he has been hiding from now for five years, and he looks mighty sad. Pato turns Mateo around and assures him this is true. He tells Mateo that I am the brother of your Papa, I am your Tio. Mateo is now very confused and looks at everyone around the room. Pato is very overcome with emotion, he can barely speak, as he holds Mateo's hand, and he asks Mateo to let his Papa Chelo explain it to him. So Don Chelo now has to tell Mateo the truth. He tells Mateo that he loves him, he is his son in his heart, he loves him most in this world, but he is not his real father. Mateo says you aren't my Papa? Pato tells him no he isn't, he has a Mama and Papa. Mateo is amazed he has a Mama and Don Chelo tells him, yes indeed you have a Mama! Don Chelo finally tells Mateo that his friends, Luci and Rod are his TRUE PARENTS. Not a dry eye in this scene, nor in Viewerville I suspect. I have to take a minute here, to drink my tea, and dry my eyes. Ok, I'm back now. Now then, Pato asks Mateo if he'd like to see his parents. Mateo nods yes and Mateo hugs Don Chelo and cries. Mateo says Tio Patricio and Pato says yes. Don Chelo is very distraught and Dona Chuy comforts him. Now Mateo and Pato hug, best hug I've ever seen, jus' sayin', and here ends my part of this recap.

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PART II (BY VIVI): MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION*

The cage match between Gala and Rod continues in the Dungeon in the Sky. Gala’s a scrappy fighter. She’s not intimidated by Rod the Bod’s muscles, yelling, or shaking. She gives just as good as she gets, and threatens to sue him for defamation if he continues to accuse her of stealing his child. In fact, she’ll start by putting a story about it in her magazine. Rod grabs her by the scruff of her neck to try to shake the truth out of her, but Grillz is made of stronger stuff than he (but, we always knew that). Luci enters the apartment spoiling for a fight too. Since he’s getting nowhere, Rod the Bod decides to exit the ring and go hide in the bedroom so that his tag team partner, Luciana Linares La Luchadora, can have a go at Grillz. Grillz shows us how she got her name by giving her new opponent a huge satisfied grin as Luchadora enters the ring..errr, living room.

G: Well, well. Look who has come—the offended “domestica.” (Chuckle)
L: Alight now Gala. You WILL tell ME the truth. WHERE IS MY SON?!!!!!!!!!
G: (chuckle, grin) Look, domestica, it’s one thing for me to permit Rod’s accusations (reclamos), and quite another for me to permit you to do it. If you accuse me again, I’m going to sue you for defamation. I have no idea where your spawn is. I already told Rod.
L: Well, Sra. Roselena doesn't say the same thing. She says she gave him to you, and YOU know where my son is, and you’re going to tell me right now Gala!

Luchadora drags Grillz up off the couch and starts to shake her while yelling her new mantra, “WHERE IS MY SON?!!!!!” Having already been shaken by the best, Rod the Bod, Grillz is not stirred by Luchadora’s efforts. She wonders how Luci could believe that demented harpy Rosa, who has always hated her. “I have no idea (where your son is)!” From outside the ring comes an assist for Luchadora. It’s Brigida la Frigida, who interrupts to give Luchadora more ammunition for her fight with Grillz. It’s the hospital bracelet worn by Baby Boy Roddy Torreslanda. Frigida calls Grillz a liar and says she found the bracelet in one of her purses. Luchadora grabs the bracelet, reads it, and then looks at Grillz with a whole new level of hatred burning in her eyes.

We take a break from the cage match in the Dungeon, and head to the silent Mausoleum that was once the home of the Torreslandas. Hannah, formerly Torreslanda, now Jacinto, walks into the house with Mati. Mati is so sad about Rosa, who is currently sleeping under the influence of the drugs prescribed by Dr. Hauser. Hannah has come to get some of her clothes—the rest will be sent along with Genaro to be delivered to her new home. Hannah also intends to see her mother on this visit. Mati marvels that Hannah is now a woman. But instead of this house being filled with happiness as it should be, it’s filled with sadness and desolation. Hannah is not going to buy into this TL curse of unhappiness. She is happier than she had imagined she could be. “I love Lorenzo with all my might. I’m so happy that he embraces me, that he’s with me. This happiness is stronger than all the evil deeds my mother has committed.  Let her bad deeds stay in this house, with her. I no longer want to suffer because of that.”

Back to the cage match. Grillz is asking for a beat down. She eggs on Luchadora. “Hang on to that bracelet domestica, because it’s going to be the only reminder you’ll have left of your spawn.”  Luchadora winds up from all the way on the other side of the ring, heading straight for Grillz’ grill. SMACK!! A right bitch slap across Grillz’ left cheek. SMACK!!!  An immediate follow-up backhand pimp slap across Grillz’ right cheek, which drops her to the couch holding her face. Satisfying for Viewerville, for sure, but being the spawn of Satan, Grillz is not so easily knocked out for the count. Under the tussled flat-ironed blonde mane, we hear an evil chuckle. Then we see that evil grin again. “Look wretch, I already don’t feel the pain (of the slaps). But for you, the pain of not knowing if your son is alive or dead is going to accompany you ALL YOUR LIFE! Maldita domestica!” She grabs Luchadora and throws her on the couch in order to make her escape out the door. Luchadora runs after her and yells for Frigida to grab her (agarrar), but Grillz is too quick and too slippery for them. Rod the Bod finally emerges from the bedroom, wondering what all the yelling is about. He grabs Luchadora and prevents her from running out the door, yelling at her to calm down. He tells Frigida to grab her, while he runs out the door after Grillz. The cage match is over, and although Luchadora got in some good licks, it’s Grillz who wins this battle. But we know she won’t win the war.

Unfortunately, Luci does not know that the end of her suffering is near. She shrugs off Brigida’s attempts to calm her down, falls into the couch, and lets out a primal scream. “I WANT MY SON!!!!!!!!”

Let’s take another breather and head to the TL Mausoleum. Rosa rocks back and forth on the window seat in her bedroom, contemplating her hands, when Hannah walks in behind her.
R: I’ve lost everything. I’ve lost everything because of my love for you Hannah. Because of my love for your bothers…for the family. I lost everything for you, my children. Are you going to stay here with me?
H: (gently stroking her mother’s hair) No, Mama. I came to see you, to say farewell (a despedirme).
R: When are you coming back to see me?
H: Never Mama. I only came to say goodbye. You are never going to see me again. For me, you are dead. Hannah kisses the top of Rosa’d head and leaves, but Rosa is too lost in her crazy delusions and private conversation with her god to notice. She is His chosen one.

Rod comes back to the Dungeon in the Sky empty-handed. Gala managed to escape in her car, and Luci is not a happy camper. She is hysterical at this point. She hands Rod the baby bracelet. Usually sweet faced Luci looks like a red-eyed Fury straight out of a Greek tragedy. She orders Rod to FIND GALA!

Gala’s also giving orders. She’s ordering Mirko over the phone to pack his bags because they are leaving the country TODAY!  They’ll meet at the airport and Julie is coming with. Her next call is Julie telling her the same thing. Only take the necessities. They have to get out of Dodge today!

Rod, who up to now has failed in his manly duties to protect the woman he loves and his children, and to punish the baddies, swears he will have Gala thrown in jail for her crime, even though she is the mother of his child. He begs Luci not to leave the apartment while he goes to pick up Alexia from kindergarten. She sinks to a chair, lost in despair, and Brigida chooses this moment to make a lame apology. She admits that even though at one point she was part of the Blonde Bitches’ evil schemes, she had nothing to do with what they did to the baby. She just found the bracelet and kept it, until just now when she knew what to do with it. Luci ignores her. Viewerville rolls their eyes. But it’s no surprise that Brigida knows which way the winds of change are blowing and wants to make sure she’s going with it. She goes to answer a knock at the door.

The camera closes in on Luci’s anguished face, and so we and she do not see who enters. We then see a small gloved hand touch Luci’s shoulder and she looks up and turns around in surprise to find little Mateo. He takes off his hat and looks at her with big soulful eyes—she says his name and hugs him close as tears begin to fall from her own big soulful eyes. Pato wheels close and says here is her son. Chelo joins in and shows Luci the medallion Mateo was wearing when he found him all those years ago. Luci takes it in shocked disbelief and begins to look at Mateo’s face in wonder. She strokes his face and looks into his eyes as Pato takes the medallion and reenacts the intimate scene the three of them took part in five years ago when Mateo/Roddy was a newborn in the hospital. Pato places the medallion gently around Mateo’s neck. Luci holds him close to her and begins to cry from a mix of emotions—sadness of years lost; joy of finally holding her child in her arms; relief of no longer having to search; and guilt of feeling responsible for his "loss" in the first place. She begs Mateo to forgive her. The little guy just looks content to be in a loving mama’s arms.

Gala is a bitch, and so is Karma. We all knew that, but Gala is only starting to learn it. She bitches at the airline counter ticket lady because the tickets Mirko said were waiting for her and Julie are not in the system. Yes, the flight info that Mirko sent her is correct, but she and mama Julie are not booked on it. Gala looks like her double cage match has given her a major headache—a headache that is getting worse by the minute when she realizes Mirko Cazador (his last name means hunter, ha!) is already on the plane and intends to leave without her. Julie arrives and decides they should hurry on to the gate anyway to try to catch up to Mirko and stop the plane. Gala follows.

A happier mother and child are holding each other tight. Luci asks Chelo why he lied to her about Mateo’s age all those years ago. Chelo’s excuse is almost as lame as Brigida’s excuse for not fessing up about the bracelet. He saw that Luci was so interested in Mateo at the time that it caused him to be mistrustful. “You know how it is.” (NO CHELO! We don’t know how it is. LAME!) He admits Mateo was only two months at the time.

Little Mateo joins the conversation and innocently asks if he will be able to go with his Papa Chelo. “Yes. He’s your Papa, and he will always be your Papa.” Mateo goes over to Chelo and hugs him. “Papa Chelo. I love you a lot.” Alexia runs in and immediately gives Mateo a hug and a kiss. Rod is surprised to find all the visitors there.  Luci walks up to him, takes his face in her hands, and tearfully tells him that Mateo is their son. Rod walks over to Mateo, kneels down and pulls him into a big hug. His picks him up over his head and shouts, “You are our son, Mateo!” Luci has also taken Alexia into her arms and the four come together in a big hug, as the happily united family they will be from now on.

Gala and Julie are still making their way from one part of the airport to another. Gala is on her phone with the bank authorizing a transfer of funds from her savings to her debit card. Uh oh! Looks like there is no money to transfer. As Gala yells about there being an error, Julie goes ahead of her onto the escalator. It seems to be dawning on her faster than it is on Gala that they’ve been swindled. Usually wearing something too short or too tight for her age, Julie chose today of all days to wear sensible, wide legged, flowing linen pants. Karma rears her ugly head once again, and a leg of Julie’s pants gets caught in the teeth of the top of the LONG escalator. She loses her balance and goes tumbling backwards, down, down, down, past Gala—a symbol of the slow descent to hell the rest of their lives will be from this point on.  Rewind it a few times Viewerville. It doesn’t stop being amusing.

Let’s switch gears to watch our favorite characters who are finally emerging from the hell they have been living in the last few years. The party has moved back to Luci’s happy apartment. Rod, Alexia, Chelo, Pato, Paz, Claudio, Hannah and Lorenzo are in the living room. Alexia has just asked if Chelo will officially become part of their family now, and gives him a sweet kiss on the cheek when he accepts. It may be dawning on Chelo that he is not losing Mateo, but instead gaining a huge loving family.

Pato gets off of a call with a big smile on his face. He explains that tomorrow he has an appointment to meet with a famous surgeon who may be his only hope of recuperating. Claudio points out that he’s already quite recuperated, but for Pato that only means being able to walk again. Rod points out the risks of the operation, but for Pato it’s ALL OR NOTHING. The mountain in Het Het is waiting for him to climb (escalar). Everyone tries to look optimistic, but they really look worried.

Meanwhile, inside what would have been Roddy’s nursery, Luci is watching as Mateo explores the room. He plays with the mobile over the golden crib where he never got the chance to sleep.

L: Do you like it?
M: Yes. It’s really nice.
L: This room is yours. It’s been waiting for you for five years.
M: Five years?!
L: Now we’re going to have to get rid of the cradle because you’re not going to fit (caber).
M: It’s really big (looking around the room). Can my Papa Chelo sleep here with me…when we come to visit you?
L: (choosing her words carefully) I would like for you to sleep here. And your Papa Chelo has his wagon that he likes a lot, and he will be able to come here whenever he wants, and you can go see him whenever you want.
M: You want me to live here, in this place that is so nice?!
L: Yes, everything that is here is yours.
M: And will my Papa Chelo also come to live here?
L: (Again at a loss for words.) But your Papa Chelo can’t leave Doña Chuy all alone either. Plus, imagine, you could have two homes, and come and go whenever you want. And your Papa Chelo and Doña Chuy can also come and go whenever they want. (Big happy smile from Mateo.) But I’d really like for you to live here with me. (She starts to get teary.)
M: But if I stay here my Papa will have to sleep all alone.
L: (Fully crying now.) You can go and visit whenever you want. But I’ve waited so long, and I missed you so much, every second, every moment of my life. I don’t want you to leave again. I promise you that you will be able to see Don Chelo whenever you want. I know that he’s your papa. Please. We can give it a try to see how you feel. You can choose your bed…yes?
M: I thought my mamita was dead. I always wanted a mama to cover me with kisses, affection (cariño), and cuddles (apapachos). Can I cover you with kisses, affection and cuddles?
L: Of course. I also want to cover you with kisses and cuddles. I don’t ever want to let you go. Te quiero mucho. Te amo.
M: Te quiero mucho, Mama.

Luci is holding Mateo tight, but looks up into his face after he says these magic words.
L: What did you call me?
M: Mama.

They both repeat the beloved magical word, Mama, and smile at each other. Luci pulls Mateo close once more and he gives her a loving kiss on her brow. Luci makes the sign of the blessing, and the two lose themselves in this moment of complete love and bliss.

Your recapper is also lost in this moment of love and bliss, and I am grateful to have such a lovely moment on which to end my Refugio recapping duties. Gracias amigos!—Vivi


*Mother and Child Reunion by Paul Simon

No I would not give you false hope
On this strange and mournful day
But the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away…