Caray, Caray!

Dear Patio Members, This most excellent recap is courtesy of Alfredo. The commentary in parentheses is all my own. Jarifa

Anifer's teacher calls Maria to let her know that Fabian wants to see Anifer. Maria is shocked. (Did she expect him to play by the rules????)

As Flor and Socorro get dinner ready, Socorro apologizes for ruining her peace and quiet and her beautiful house. Flor agrees and begins to call them all pigs as Ciceron arrives and asks Socorro for a coffee. She goes to make it but Flor wonders if he doesn't have hands to do it himself. Ciceron smiles and reminds her that he has someone to do it for himself, so he doesn't. Ciceron then notices that Carmelita's picture is missing and demands to know where it is. Flor tells him that she put it away and put a family picture (Neron, Milady and Flor) instead because it is now her house and not Ciceron's or Carmelita's. They begin to argue again about who own the house when Ciceron reminds Flor that Neron and her aren't married so, therefore, she has no rights to the house. He storms off as Socorro comes back with the coffee and wonders where he went or if he's mad. Flor is fuming. (Flor is into her perpetual grammar corrections: preterite tense second person singular does not have an "s" on the end which is something that Nerón, Socorro and Cicerón always want to add).


Neron goes to the bank who owns Ciceron's mortgage to see if he's on time with his payments. The bank representative tells him that she can't give out any info, but he begs he for help. The representative looks and sees that he pays late sometimes, but always comes current and has no outstanding late balances. Neron is floored. (Good for Nerón who is doing some investigating into Cicerón's personal business)

Renee welcomes Ariel and the PI into her house so they can talk about the investigation into Noel's disappearance. Ariel asks her to get the letter Noel left her and Renee nods before revealing that all the information on Noel's disappearance came from Fabian and it's not the first time he's lied to her. (Renée has an important realization about where her information comes from)

At school, Anifer sits with Fabian as the teacher keeps a close eye on him. Anifer wonders why can't stay alone and Fabian explains that o one trusts him because of what he did in the past. Anifer can't understand why as he can barely move, but Fabian tells her that it's okay. He then wonders why she looks so serious and Anifer explains that her parents are no longer together, so Fabian assumes they are fighting. Anifer shakes her head and then reveals that she saw Mauricio and Renee kissing, like before, and Fabian nods. He tells her that he didn't know and Anifer worries that, if Mauricio and Maria aren't together, she will have to go back to San Crispin. (If Fabián still cannot walk and since he is a snake, he could have come crawling on his belly and not in the wheel chair.)

At Logatoys, Mauricio congratulates everyone on their group effort and then leads everyone in a cheer. Tono is happy to see that their company is finally taking off, as it was more of a hobby than anything, and Jorge admits that he has been looking at new offices. Gladys thinks they should just take the Logatoys sign off, and put Anitoys, but Mauricio doesn't think it's a good idea. Jorge thinks they should ask Fabian either way, as they are finally friends again, but Mauricio is happy to just put all his father's lessons into practice. He then thanks everyone for their help and claps. Gladys wants to know where she signs because she wants to leave with them right now. Mauricio is surprised.
(Why would they ask Fabián? They still have not learned their lesson)

Fabian tells Anifer that maybe Mauricio doesn't care about her as much as she thought because if he did, he would do anything to make her and Maria happy. Anifer nods and Fabian wonders if maybe the fact that Mauricio is not her biological dad makes him love her less. After all, she is blood of his blood and Mauricio only began loving her a few months ago. He reminds her of how horrible Mauricio treated her in the beginning and when they tried to leave her at the police station. Anifer nods but Fabian reiterates the he might love her, because she's a great girl, but not as a daughter, more of like a toy. Anifer considers this. (The snake is at his best seeding poisonous thoughts)

Neron and Pablo visit Ciceron's restaurant and find it closed until further notice. They run into a previous client and ask for details. The client explains that the restaurant survived on selling alcohol illegally and they finally got caught. Neron considers this and the client then leaves as Neron explodes and curses everything as Ciceron lied to him. (Seems like we have another duplicitous snake in training slithering around.)

At school Maria talks with Anifer's teacher, who confirms that Anifer was good throughout the whole meeting with Fabian and confesses that Fabian seemed sorry for all the pain he caused, especially after his accident. Maria considrs this, and thanks her for her help, but she doesn't seem convinced. The teacher offers to prohibit Fabian from seeing Anifer, but Maria thinks that's unnecessary. (How many times will María have to be bitten before she sees that a snake is a snake is a snake?)

Renee and Ariel bid the PI goodbye and then Renee thanks Ariel for his help as she thought Noel had left the city. She will have to clear up some things with Fabian, but Ariel reminds her to pretend to be unaware of his lies because she may get more out of him that way. Renee agrees, and they go to see Fabian to see what they can find out. (At least Ariel has a brain on how to deal with Fabián)

At Neron's, Flor reads different philosophical phrases and Socorro wonders why she started going to school. Flor explains that she had cancer and is now in remission, so she thought she would appreciate her time on Earth. Socorro then offers to take care of Milady while she goes to school but Flor is okay with Neron taking care of their child. Socorro thinks that taking care of children is for women, but Flor reminds her that men and women are equal, and they should divide the work between them and Ciceron should take care of his kids. Socorro laughs off her comments because Neron and Carmelita are responsible for making Ciceron the useless lout he is. Flor tells her that it's not true and both begin to argue. (I hope Flor gets a wedding ring and Cicerón and his ill bred brood are out of her home before the end of this.)

Maria goes to visit Fabian and demands to know why he went to go to find Anifer when he said he wouldn't. Fabian apologizes but explains that he wanted to apologize to Anifer's teacher. Maria still doesn't know why he saw Anifer, when he already saw the teacher, but Fabian is more surprised that Maria still doesn't trust him. Maria thinks he's asking a lot, when he only kidnapped her, at gun point, a few days ago but Fabian reminds her that it was a toy gun and he almost died. Maria sighs and Fabian reiterates that his view of life has changed. Either way, Maria doesn't want Anifer to see him so often, but they can't talk anymore because Renee has arrived. (Is María still being seduced by the serpent's gift of gab? Come on already!)

Tono goes to pick up his kids at school and asks Ernesto to be close to him or he will tie him up. A teacher comes up to Tono and explains that they are doing a new project, every week a parent will visit the classroom and prepare a presentation, detailing how much they love their job. Tono is unsure of how to answer but the teacher pressures him into accepting by asking if his kids are more important than his job. Tono doesn't answer and runs away with his kids as the teacher looks on. (Whoopsie!! for weasly Toño being "a toda madre" "awesome")

In the kitchen, Flor asks Socorro if she knows who ate all her sweet bread, but Socorro shakes her head but notices Flor looking at her and tells her that the kids had nothing to do with it. Ciceron then comes screaming, because Socorro has not gone to pick up the kids, and she goes running. Flor can't believe he was so rude to his wife but Ciceron doesn't care as she does as he wants. Neron comes in then, slams the door, and puts a beating on Ciceron as Flor grabs her sandal and also goes to hit him. (I always laugh when the chancla (sandal/flip flop comes off! The power of the chancla!")

Fabian tells Maria that she regrets her decision to keep him from Anifer but understands. Maria nods and then leaves as Renee sits down to talk to him. She wonders if there is a problem as Maria was visiting him, alone, but Fabian shakes his head, lamenting the fact that no one trusts him. Renee thinks it will take time, but Fabian thinks she is the only one who trusts him. Either way, he accepts his faults and Renee proposes that they find Noel because he needs all the moral support he can get. (That is not what that snake Fabian wanted to hear)

Neron can't believe Ciceron paid his mortgage but then sold liquor illegally and risked everything for extra money. Cicero explains that he rented out his house , so he could get some extra money to pay for everything and moved in with him because Neron's house belongs to all of them (Cieron and Socrates) because ti belonged to Carmelita. Neron grabs his face and reminds him that Carmelita is dead, so his house if now Flor's. Ciceron understands but Neron can't believe he did something illegal when he always taught his sons to be fair and just. Ciceron reminds him that they barely saw him but Neron reminds him that, the little he taught them, he always said to never steal or lie or cheat. Either way, he better clean up his room and think about how much longer he's goin to stay in HIS house. Ciceron obliges as Flor cheers Neron on and hugs him tight. She then gives him a big kiss and confesses that she's proud of him and the fact that he is still teaching his children to be better people. (I loved Flor cheering Nerón on! Awwww!)

Fabian thought Renee was going to let Noel return on his own, but she can't understand how or why Noel left after living as a hermit for so many years. Fabian nods, understanding that Renee doesn't trust him either and think she did something to him, but Renee shakes her head. Fabian reminds her that Noel treated him poorly growing up and said so in his letter, but he doesn't resent him for his actions nor does he know where he is. Renee reveals that a woman called her and said he left but wonders if Noel had any friends he could he could visit. Fabian tells her that Bosco and Catalina were his father's only "friends" and he doesn't care about any of them, including them, because he hasn't reached out. Ironically, Fabian notes, the only good thing his father did was bring them together, because they are family, after all, Renee considers this. (The snake is so good at "preemptive guilt")

Sometime later, at her home, Renee confesses to Ariel that she doesn't know what the truth is because Fabian seems to have changed but, in the past, he behaved very poorly. Either way, she can't believe finding her father has caused more harm than good. Ariel tells her to be patient as she will find him, and grabs her hand. Renee thanks him for his help and his generosity and then confesses the sad truth: she has something to tell him about Mauricio. Ariel already knows what's coming a mile away. (Ariel is one smart guy)

At home, Fabian calls the nurse who is taking care of Noel. She confirms that no one has visited Noel and she did as he instructed and called Renee with fake information. Fabian reminds her that no one can find him and then asks abut Noel's health. The nurse confirms he's doing well and Fabian thinks it's time to surprise his father. (I hope that Noel finds some way to escape first. For some reason I do not think the surprise would be a good one)

Socorro arrives at Neron's and tells their kids to be quiet and wait for Ciceron, who arrives a minute later and asks her why she took so long. Socorro confesses that their kids got punished because they got caught selling fruit and sweet bread illegally, and they they offered the principal money, so they won't punish them. Ciceron demands to know where they got those habits from and they confess they they saw him selling beers illegally, so they find nothing wrong with their actions. Ciceron is shocked and Neron looks at his son and hits him in the forehead. He chides Ciceron for his poor example as Socorro looks on, tears in her eyes. (That was the best hit to the forehead I have seen in a long time)

Renee tells Ariel about her kiss with Mauricio and Ariel confesses that he always knew her feelings but he thought he had an opportunity with her. He hopes he didn't pressure her into anything, but Renee shakes her head and tells him that he's been great, but she can't decide what her heart feels. Ariel shakes his head and hopes to see her at their master's program, which Renee likes, but thinks they shouldn't see each other for the time being. Ariel smiles and hopes to be her friend, at least, before wishing her the best of luck on he search with noel, before leaving. Renee stops him and gives him a big hug before he finally goes, Once alone, Renee wonders if she made the right decision. (Ariel has been a class act and deserves somebody less flakey than Renée. Guess his consolation prize was being called a great guy.)

That night, Lili and Pablo talk in the cul-de-sac park and talk about their future. She tells him that they will be together with their child, forever and Pablo smiles before nodding. Lili confesses that, a few months ago, she arrived in Mexico City, and now she's about to be 18, move out and be a mother. Pablo promises to always be with her and their children and gives her a kiss. (Ay, the innocence and high hopes of youth!)

At Mauricio's, Maria tells Mauricio that, while she thought she could trust Fabian, she gets this weird feeling in the pit of her stomach. Mauricio thinks it must be for a reason and they agree that he can see Anifer but only when one of them is present. Anifer arrives then and asks Anifer for a hug but she barely hugs him back. He then shows her the first line of his new toy but Anifer doesn't care because she wants to know why he and Maria don't kiss but Mauricio and Renee do. Mauricio stumbles for and explanation but Maria explains that, a long time ago, she and Mauricio decided that they should be friends. Mauricio nods but Anifer is doubtful. (What is wrong with Anifer? Anifer has been the victim of "TM" of the wrong kind of "I")

In bed, Dulce looks at family destinations for them to go on a family vacation and Jorge agrees. Dulce thinks the vacation should also double as a birthday celebration for Baldo and Lili. Jorge thanks her but thinks she shouldn't though Dulce wants to win them over. She then lays her head down on his chest, caresses it, and tells him he is the love of her life. (Dulce another "snake in the grass" should be hissing as she slithers all over Jorge. She is creepy)

Maria tells Anifer that Mauricio can go out with Renee without lying but Anifer looks mad because Mauricio changed Maria for Renee and then may change Renee for someone else. Mauricio wants to know if anyone said something bad about him but Anifer is silent before telling them that she's scared Mauricio may stop loving her like he's stopped loving his girlfriends. Maria and Mauricio assure her that Mauricio will always love Anifer and she will always love him but, they also know she didn't come up with those ideas on her own, so they want to know where it came from. Anifer looks at him and Mauricio wonders if it was Fabian who told her this. Anifer hangs her head and Maria and Mauricio realize the truth, Fabian should NEVER be trusted. . .

(Duh! Why are María and Mauricio still looking surprised??? They need to review the universal "Snake Fable": A human saves a snake from a sure death. The snake in turn delivers a mortal bite. While dying the human asks "Why did you bite me after I saved you?" The snake hisses "You knew I was a snake when you picked me up!!!")

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