Caray, Caray!

Sev finishes up his little offended innocent act for the Padre and stalks off.  He's approached by Abelardo.  Bad timing, dude.  No, you may NOT have an advance on your salary!  Abelardo keeps on walking, right past Candela who is continuing the lies and backing Sev up.  Candela should be in politics.  She managed to say "My husband is an honest man" without conveying even the slightest hint of disgust…no, that she saved for Aldonza and the ridiculous assertion that she must be some kind of liar because "We all know her mother."  Padre J reminds her that Aldonza and her mother are two separate people.  And besides, Roberta is dead.  "I think you trust in your husband too much."  Cande says of course she trusts him!  He's her husband!  She knows him better than anyone!  Padre J calls BS…uh, in a completely clerical way…asking if she knows him SO well, if there's SUCH great communication between them, then why didn't she have any idea about him being stabbed?  'Cause he could tell she was just hearing the news.  Why wouldn't she have been informed, sine her husband has such a clean, clear conscience?  Padre J leaves her to stew.



Melesio and Cris have a ride and a chat.  Melesio is withholding judgement on Abelardo for a while.  They lament the state of Roberta's former property.  Melesio says it's great, even without the "huerta" (farm, orchard).  Cris thinks they should rent the house, but Melesio says no one would want to live in Roberta's old house.  Cris thinks that's too bad.  He doesn't say whether he would or wouldn't live there, but he's leaving soon anyway.  He admits to Melesio that he wants to leave so he can be independent, but also because there are just too many memories here.  Melesio warns him not to make a bad decision just to avoid those memories.

Abelardo is eating at the hacienda, while the rest of his family get to have lunch in peace for once.  Or not…Abelardo comes in, angrily demanding to know what Ulises said to his boss.  He accuses his dad of saying bad things about him and says it must be his fault that Severiano treated him "badly" just now.  Ulises says he just thanked him and told him to treat Abelardo like any other employee and be firm with him.  Abelardo doesn't appreciate that and considers it siccing Severiano on him.  Uriel loses his temper and his appetite, saying if Abelardo wants to gain Sev's confidence, he'll have to do it with some actual work.  He excuses himself to take his siesta.

On his way out of the house, Abelardo runs into Humberto and plays the dutiful son well enough to get Humberto to hand over his loan paperwork with the promise that he'll make sure his dad sees it.  Ay, Humberto!  He doesn't even know the kid's name, calling him "Bernardo."  Abelardo stands there on the sidewalk, perusing the doc's financial information.

Candela takes Severiano to task for nearly blowing their "happily married couple" cover.  Sev laughs that he would have thought she had already told Padre J all about their relationship, in confession at least.  She's pissed that he didn't tell her about what happened with "that kid" and he treats it like a jealous outburst and delivers "Since when do you care what happens to me" as a come-on.  Candela brushes off his advances and starts her temper tantrum about how Aldonza might come looking for Cris!  "That's why I went to talk to her.  But, hey, if you want to talk to her, go for it!  Maybe you'll have better luck."  Well, I'm pretty sure she won't get a letter opener to the gut.

At the staircase, she runs into Abelardo, who would like to speak to the patron.  "Like I care.  Get out of my way!"

Abelardo shuts Sev's office door to show him something that might get him more than just an advance.  He took pictures of all of Humberto's paperwork before he handed it over and it's all right there on his phone.

Joaquin comes over to the parish house to drop off a basket of fruit…and explain why he got married.  Adelina cuts him off and says he sure as heck doesn't have any explaining to do.  She's happy he took her advice and started a family.

Severiano tries to deny his interest in Humberto's finances.  Abelardo admits, with no shame whatsoever, that he heard Sev saying as much to Candela.  Not that he was eavesdropping, he just happened to be passing by…coincidentally.  Severiano warns him about "coincidences" and tells a charming story about how he once hit a cow with his truck who just happened to be in the road at the same time…coincidentally.  Abelardo starts to apologize and back out, but it's just a ploy.  He's got Sev's number.  Severiano tells him to sit down, send the stuff to his email, and tell him how much of an advance he's looking for.

Joaquin named his son after Raymundo.  He liked the name and has lots of good memories of Raymundo.  Adelina agrees and says she probably would have named a son after him as well…if she'd ever had one.  Joaquin says he's around for whatever Adelina and Aldonza need.  Adelina says he was always a good friend and she hopes that doesn't change.

Lulu is confirming the grocery list with Padre J.  As she leaves, Aldonza comes into the church.  She's been house-hunting.  She's not sure if they're going to stay long-term, but at least for a while.  She doesn't want to keep imposing by staying in Padre J's house, but he insists that he likes having her around.  She's the only family he has left and he wants her to see him as someone to rely on and someone she can tell anything to.

Outside the office, Sev remembers one last thing--to tell Abelardo that this stays between them.  If he ever finds out that Abelardo opened his mouth, he'll get a visit from "el chamuco" (the devil).  Abelardo says he's silent as a tomb.  "Exactly.  Now go get back to work."

Cristobal and Melesio come back from their ride to find Valeria waiting.  Cris approaches her cautiously and she rips into him for not telling her that Aldonza was in town.  "I didn't think you'd care."  Wrong!  Unlike Cris, she does want to know his every move.  Cristobal says he just ran into her, he wasn't going looking for her.  Now she's pissed that it happened multiple times, and that he's asking her to please lower her voice.  Candela hasn't gotten to that part of the training curriculum yet, so Valeria turns it into even more of a scene and starts screaming at him that she doesn't care who hears her--he's the one who should be embarrassed for treating her this way.  She warns him that he's not going to turn her into a laughingstock.  Cris says she's too upset for this conversation to go anywhere and suggests she go home and take a sedative.  That earns him a slap across the face before she stomps out.  Melesio yells at the guys that the circus is over and to get back to work.

Mari is telling her mom the story of the Valeria-Aldonza meeting while Lola is listening in.  Mari's mom tells her to shush and quit spreading gossip.  Mari's excuse is that this isn't gossip and she's worried about her friend.  In a much nicer way that I'm putting it here, Mari's mom tells her to quit worrying about Val and get a life of her own.  Mari pouts that her mom doesn't understand her and leaves.  Lola asks if Mari's mom has a problem with Mari hanging out with Valeria.  Mom doesn't really have a problem with Valeria, per se, but that Mari is just sooooo dazzled by all things Valeria.  She also thinks that Mari is just doing it to get closer to that hunk Emmanuel.  Sad Lola.

Dominga would like Candela to confide in her like she did when she was young.  Maybe she can help.  Candela says she doesn't like that Aldonza has come home.  She doesn't know how to stop worrying about it.  Dominga says that if Cristobal is really in love then she has nothing to worry about…but if he's not? Better to find that out now or later or his marriage will be a disaster, and Candela knows better than anyone else what she means.  "See why I didn't want to tell you anything!  Instead of making me feel better, you're criticizing me!"  Dominga says she's not, she's just saying what she thinks.  She holds Candela as Candela cries.  Candela says she's scared.  About a lot of things.

Cristobal watches Emmanuel train one of the horses.  Abelardo comes over to start trouble.  He mocks Cristobal about the scene his fiancée caused.  Sure, it's none of his concern, but Valeria's right to be jealous, what with Aldonza and Cristobal's history.  Cristobal says he's in no mood to waste his time, or to discuss his personal life with Abelardo.  "Maybe it would be to your benefit.  I could tell you some things that might help you control Valeria."  Like, where the "OFF" switch is?  Cris isn't interested in "controlling" anyone.  "Well, maybe you'd be interested to know that she's not as sweet and good as she wants you to think she is."  Abelardo tells him that even in the midst of planning The Wedding of the Century, Valeria's screwing around on him.  Cristobal grabs him by the shirt and demands to know who she's screwing around with.  Rather than do that, Abelardo starts swinging on Cris and gets knocked into a mud puddle for his trouble.  Emmanuel comes over to bust it up.  Cris asks again who.  "Ask her, not me 'boss.'"

Melesio tells Dominga he was really uncomfortable with the scene outside.  Dominga wonders why Cris doesn't put a stop to it, since it's obvious Valeria's the one who doesn't respect him.  She misses Melesio's warning look.  Candela overheard and wants to know what they're saying about Valeria.  Dominga tells Melesio to spill it, since everyone saw.

Emmanuel tells Cris that Abelardo just likes to talk.  "He must have said it for a reason."  Emmanuel asks if he trusts Val or not.  "Tell me the truth, Emmanuel.  Do you know what he's talking about?  You live with her.  Who does she talk to on the phone?  Does someone come visit her?"  Emmanuel asks why he's jealous.  Is it his ego or what?  He won't say more than that Valeria is dying to be Cris' wife.  "So if you have doubts, then you need to ask her about them."  I'll give him points for being classy, but that was unhelpful.

Adelina thinks about meeting Joaquin's cutie-pie son…and sour-faced wife.  She sighs.  Aldonza comes in and asks about the fruit.  She laughs at Adelina saying that Joaquin brought it for "them."  Adelina shuts that down right quick and tells Aldonza that Joaquin is married, so remarks like that are inappropriate.  She also says his wife is very pretty.  With that look on her face?!  Aldonza says Adelina should have married him herself.  She would have liked for Adelina to get married and have her own family, but Adleina says Aldonza IS her family.  "Some women just aren't meant to marry."  Though she admits there was a boy she liked once.  He married someone else and she locked up her heart so no one could hurt it again.  Aldonza says he was a ninny not to recognize what a great catch her aunt would have been.  Adelina just doesn't want history to repeat itself.  She hopes Aldonza finds a guy who loves her and will make her happy.  Aldonza thinks she might not be meant for marriage either.  She'd also like to lock up her heart so she doesn't get hurt again.

Joaquin comes home with some toys for Raymundo.  His wife says they're nice and kisses him hello pleasantly enough.  She's suspicious about him going over to the parish house when he'd already seen Adelina at the market.  Though, now that he's seen her and Aldonza both and given Aldonza his condolences, he has no reason to go over there again.  Um, actually…Aldonza wasn't home.  Let the screeching begin.  How convenient that she wasn't there…doesn't Joaquin think she knows what he's up to?  How is she supposed to not be upset when he's spoken to her several times about how long he pined for Adelina.  "That was in the past.  We're married and we have a wonderful son.  The two of you are the best thing that's happened in my life."  He seems sincere and she softens, asking him to just please give Aldonza his condolences, but not spend a lot of time talking to her aunt.  She gives him a final joking warning that he'll be sorry if she ever finds out he let her down.  She goes to wake up Raymundo for lunch and Joaquin's face falls.  Another dude displaying classy behavior.  Only this time I think it will come back to bite him in the ass.

Valeria sits in the café crying.  Now Candela starts in on the lesson about keeping up appearances.  She beats Val over the head with what a bad move that little scene was.  It almost sounds like Candela is ready to fire Val and find someone to replace her with, but it's slim pickings in this town, so she'll settle for berating her and reminding her that Cristobal doesn't like jealous scenes.  How would she even know that when he's barely lived with her and it's not like he's had previous girlfriends who came around and caused trouble?  Valeria says it wasn't a "scene," she was defending what's hers.  Um…no, Val, it was a scene.  Candela patiently explains to her star pupil that back when this whole Aldonza business first started, she and Sev tried everything to get Cris to leave her alone, but all he did was get even more "encaprichado" (infatuated) with her.  Val says the same thing won't happen to her, since they're engaged and he would NEVER disrespect her like that.  Candela asks if she's sure.  Well, if he breaks off the engagement and THEN rekindles his romance with Aldonza then there wouldn't be any "disrespecting" going on, right?  Just saying, Val.  Anyway…red-nosed Val just doesn't know how to follow Candela's "strategy" and control herself when she hates Aldonza so much.  "Act like nothing bothers you, even if you're dying inside.  Don't give that slut the satisfaction of knowing how much her presence bothers you.  Trust me, you'll have my son eating out of your hand.  If instead of going crazy and ranting, you behave coldly and sure of yourself…you can feel jealousy, but don't show it."  I hope this course comes with a money-back guarantee, 'cause there are holes in this logic big enough to drive a train through.

Abelardo is studying Humberto's financials on his phone when Mari comes in to filch some ear buds.  She notices his mouth and he claims a horse kicked him.  We should be so lucky.  She hints at drama with Val and he demands info.  Nooooooo, not the cat shirt again!  Does he not have any other shirts?!  Stop the madness!  Mari pretends she's not going to tell, until Abelardo says he'll make it worth her while.  She shares the story about Val and Aldonza running into each other outside Humberto's office.  Abelardo wonders why Aldonza was there.

Lola and Aldonza are FINALLY having some coffee.  Aldonza is a little disappointed that instead of being able to give Lola the gossip firsthand, she's already heard it.  "Hey, gossip is the main sport in this town!"  Lola's sorry she wasn't there to give Val a hearty smack.  Aldonza thinks that's a good thing, or Lola would have left Val "como Santo Cristo" (beat up; like Christ).  Lola asks Aldonza if she's really not upset that Val is marrying Cristobal.  Aldonza says what he does with his life really doesn't matter to her.  "Really, what we had wasn't so significant that I shouldn't have been able to forget him in all these years."  Lola says some loves are forever, right?  "Well, this wasn't one of them."  Lola now wants to talk DF guys and doesn't believe Aldonza never had boyfriends out there.  Well, what about Lola, Aldonza wonders.  Nah, Lola says she's "salada" (jinxed, unlucky; literally "salted" as in "salted earth")  and besides, Emmanuel is the only one who interests her.  And he's in love with Valeria and there's other girls in love with him, but Lola's considering getting an "envase" (container) for San Antonio so she can put him on his head without him falling over all the time.  They giggle over the superstition, but hey, maybe it'll work.

Severiano shows Humberto his account statement.  The important thing isn't how he got it, the important thing is that now Severiano knows that Humberto doesn't have the money to pay him for El Santuario.  Humberto mentions a loan.  "How are you going to get a loan to buy a property that's already yours?"  Humberto says that's his problem.  "No!  Your problem is me!  Gimme back my land!"  Humberto reminds him they were going to give the land to the kids…but he refuses to put it in Cristobal's name.  He won't let them leave his daughter hanging.  "You won't LET…?  Careful, 'compadre' because you're on rocky ground."  Sev says it was his money, but Humberto reminds him it was his name.  "Your name is worthless and you ought to know that."  Severiano reminds Humberto he's in no position to make demands, and he's running the risk that Val never ends up marrying Cris.  "At this point, nothing would give me more pleasure.  Because honestly, I'd rather she not become part of your 'prestigious' family."  Severiano reminds him that it took HIS reputation to get Humberto established in SL.  And if he doesn't sign over the property, Humberto is going to find out what Sev is capable of.  I think he already got that memo, but ok.

Cristobal comes to town, claiming not to be mad and saying he wants to forget it.  Val asks him to forgive her, but he has a question.  "Do you love me?"  "Why are you asking?"  "No, answer me."  "Of course I do!  Why do you doubt it!"  Cristobal says she's pretty and she's probably had lots of suitors, and maybe she's interested in one of them…?  Valeria says she's only interested in him.  He wants her to always be sincere with her, even if it means telling him that she doesn't want to marry him or he's not the man who's going to make her happy.  Val lies a bunch about there being no other men for her, that she's never been unfaithful, and that she's not going to tell him again.  She kisses him and snuggles up, looking not even a tiny bit reassured.  He looks trapped, and also…not a bit reassured.

Emmanuel is at the parish house when Lola and Aldonza come in.  He wanted to give Aldonza his condolences.  As he hugs her, she makes a face a Lola behind his back.  He offers to take her out if she needs a distraction, but no, Aldonza's not in the mood to go out right now.  "But, hey, why don't you take Lola out."  Emmanuel…dear, sweet, hunky, STUPID Emmanuel…says "Are you kidding me?  Lola and I see each other every day.  But I haven't seen you in a while.  Well, if you don't want to, we'll go out another day."  And with barely a look at Lola, he walks out.  Lola is instantly in tears at how badly Em wanted to go out with Aldonza and how she's totally insignificant to him.  Ay, Lola!  One day he'll come around and you can make him spend the rest of his life paying for being such a dumbass.

Abelardo tries the "horse" excuse on his mom, but with a minimum of questioning 'fesses up that it was Cris who hit him.  He claims he did nothing to provoke Cris and Cris just has something against him.  He swears he didn't do anything wrong and he's trying, for once, to do a good job.  Now he's going to have to quit.  Oh, hell no, says mom.  He'd better figure out how to keep his job, because she convinced his dad that he wasn't going to screw this job up.  "So you'd better talk to Cristobal and do whatever you have to do to make this right…BEFORE your father finds out and they DO fire you."

Emmanuel is IRL shirtless in his room when Val invades to ask him why he went running to Cris.  He tells her to knock next time, for one, and for another he didn't say anything.  "I could have, but you should be talking to Abelardo.  He's the one who's been running his mouth to Cris.  He told Cris that you've been screwing around on him, but he didn't dare tell him who with."  He advises her to talk to Cris because Cris loves her a lot.  Val sarcastically thanks him, but says she doesn't need anyone's advice, much less that of a servant.

Cris comes home and hits the drinks cart.  Severiano intuits that he has woman problems.  Cris says it's not about Valeria.  "Come on, tell your old man what's going on."  Cristobal says Abelardo is bugging him.  Severiano offers to fire him, if Cris asks.  "Why do I have to ask?  Why don't you fire him yourself and be done with it?  I'm not going to take on your responsibility to fire him, no matter how much I hate the guy.  As much as I try to explain to myself why you hired him, I can't figure it out."  Sev starts to reply, but is bothered by his wound.  He tells Cris it's nothing, but Candela appears on the landing…"Tell him the truth, Severiano.  Tell your son what Aldonza Alcocer did to you."

Tomorrow: Adelina reveals her doubts about Roberta's second baby and Cris confronts Aldonza about Sev's injury.

Labels: sombra