Caray, Caray!

MONTEVERDE #75, Part 1of 3

Carolina is asking Oscar why they should wait? She wants him to take her back with him to Monteverde! Oscar regretfully says that it won’t work. She worries about going to jail but he tells her they are going to live in love happily ever after. She waltzes off as he smiles away.

Erika and the boys are still working on Lucas to allow them to stay with her. They plead and against (my) better judgement, he agrees! Erika thanks him…

Poor Lucia is worried about the surgery as Rosalia supports her. You aren’t alone she tells her. Rosalia asks if she has told Franco. No is the answer, he has the baby and his own issues she says sadly.

Juan David is getting feedback on his campaign and it doesn’t seem positive. Father Gabriel gives advice from his sick bed…

Celeste hands Andres her phone so he can call Carolina. Oscar gets a call from Lucas at the same time. Celeste questions Carolina but Lucas (unbelievably) doesn’t tell Oscar that the boys have taken up residence at Erika’s, at least for the moment. Erika is sitting with Moises on the edge of his bed as Andres climbs in the other bed. She tells them a bedtime story…

Carolina (in her habit) and Oscar return to the convent. He nuzzles her neck as they walk.

Padilla calls Carlos and says Andres isn’t at the convent. Carlos is not happy. He wants him found pronto and hangs up on Padilla.

In Peru, Franco is hugging his daughter as Julieta smiles in the background. Julieta and daughter leave his hotel room as he looks rueful.

Oscar and Carolina hold hands and as walk up to the convent they are shocked to see the police are there as well! The men alight from the squad car and tell cool nun they are there to see Carolina Robles. The sister tries to dissuade them but they demand entry. She pretends to have locked herself out and rings the bell. Oscar sneaks back to Carolina and they head for the fence leading to the back entrance. The nun rings the bell again and it is finally answered and they are given entrance. Oscar helps hoist Carolina up on a tree but she falls on the other side of the fence, grabbing her bag in pain, hobbling up the steps.

Diana
 

MONTEVERDE #75, Part 2 of 3

Cool nun is walking as slowly as she can down the corridor as the policemen quickly lose their patience. Good evening Madre Gustava greets the officers. The police show her a folder which she scans and hands back as the small party traverse the hall. Cool nun stands in front of Carolina’s door barring entry. The Madre protests and knocks. To our shock, Carolina answers the door wrapped in an ivory blanket. She signs the paper as the officers politely thank her. Carolina smiles at the cool nun who gives thumbs up. Once the door is shut, Carolina takes off the blanket revealing her habit. She calls a relieved Oscar…

Rosalia is visiting the good father, prescription pad in hand. It seems Father Gabriel has been given his walking papers, so to speak. Angelina and Juan David murmur under their breath, seemingly anxious to have their home back. Father gets up, appearing a bit dizzy but he presses on, making a face, sensing he has overstayed his welcome, grabbing his clothes.

VOTE POR GLORIA posters grace Manuel’s restaurant as she tries out the audio to address her “people”. There are drinks and refreshments laid outside, along with a podium and rows of chairs. Angelina, Father Gabriel and Juan David take it all in. Angelina walks up as Father and Juan David leave. Angelina makes it clear she supports her husband.

Joyously affirming they are novios Carolina kisses Oscar goodbye. He tenderly puts his hand on her cheek as she smiles but has tears in her eyes as she watches him walk away.

Cárcamo sees his bus has been vandalized as we see VOTE X GLORIA scrawled in black paint on the side of his cherry red bus. “Gloria!” Doris mutters as she seethes in anger.

The women from the inn arrive at Gloria’s rally, sitting in the front row. All of a sudden a parade of cheering men arrive with signs as Gloria addresses her peeps.

Oscar calls Erika saying the boys aren’t answering their phones. I’m unsure if Oscar knows they are there with her or not.

All of a sudden, the bus pulls up in front of Manuel’s (aka Gloria’s campaign headquarters) with Doris angrily asking her what is the meaning of this?

Lucia and the doctor talk. I can only say the doctor seems to reassure her.

Gloria waves Doris aside. Doris points to the bus as evidence of Gloria’s treachery. The two go back and forth as Manuel and Angelina unhappily look on. Doris points out the vandalism and the men slink away, leaving only the handful of women whose reactions range from enthusiastic to indifferent (Trinidad). Gloria imperiously steps inside as her daughter and Manuel follow. Gloria vows to soldier on.

“Buenas tardes” Carolina greets her lawyer. Needless to say, the lawyer is incensed about Carolina’s great escape and reads her the riot act. Carolina apologizes and the lawyer finally seems mollified. She seems to have good news which I am sure you will interpret perfectly Jarifa, as I sadly cannot.

Diana
 

MONTEVERDE #75, Part 3

Julieta and the baby accompanied Franco to the airport. He says goodbye to his daughter and kisses Julieta on the cheek. She sadly watches him walk away. He turns and looks back at her as he goes through the gate and she gives him a smiling little wave through her tears.

A tearful Lucia, dreading her surgery, visits Rosalia who tells her she is “mal”. Rosalia tells her how strong she is and hugs her.

Father Gabriel is back in bed strategizing. But first, he is asking for delicious gooey, spicy food. I gather his cravings will not be given into. 😊

Rosalia shares her worries about Lucia with Lucas; he is supportive.

Carolina shares her news from the lawyer with Celeste. Celeste tells her to be patient and gives thanks. Carolina smiles as she says te quiero.

Oscar arrives home and the boys are there to greet him, enthusing they are super bien! They tear through his suitcase looking for souvenirs. Lucas reassures Oscar that everything is fine.

Oh noes! Sara arrives at Cárcamo and Doris’, suitcase in hand. She lies through her teeth (does she say she is an ornithologist?) She signs in and goes to her room.

The boys see the postcards and Oscar admits he saw Carolina, much to the boys’ delight. Lucas, Moises and Andres smile as Oscar is asked if he and Carolina are novios. Yes is the smiling answer as the boys are thrilled. Celeste comes in and says something like it will soon be proven Carlos is guilty of fraud; Oscar looks pleased.

In the last scene of the night, Sara calls Carlos. I am in Monteverde she tells him as he crooked smiles.

Carolina was so careless! Worse yet was Oscar going along with her little get out of jail scheme! Had they arrived even a few minutes later, Carolina would have had her goose cooked (so to speak).

I am not a fan of Julieta’s but admit I felt a pang of pity for her when Franco boarded the plane. It was clear he felt guilty leaving, especially his daughter.

The campaign is getting down and dirty. No decorum to be seen!

Wow, Sara didn’t waste a minute did she?? This is going to be bad. Very bad…

Diana
 

MONTEVERDE Extras página 1

Thank you, Diana!

"This is going to be bad. Very bad…" You can say that again!

The newly connected cellphone users of Monteverde have already tired of Juan David's campaign texts. Juan David plays the "poor me" card but his uncle, frustrated with him, tells him he cannot give up so quickly. He is willing to help Juan David but with an empty stomach , he isn't thinking very well . . . He tells Angelina that the lettuce with a tomato that she served him wasn't a supper. He is thinking of something simple like "enfrijoladas" (sort of like enchiladas with bean sauce) with a little chicken, cheese, cream, onion. Angelina informs him they have no chicken. The good father says to fill them with cheese then. Juan David says he will take charge of making them.

Andrés asks Erika if she would tell him and Moisés some horror stories. That is what they do every night themselves until they fall asleep. No, they are never afraid but very brave!! She agrees and starts talking about an abandoned house much to the boys's delight.

Not thinking straight, Carolina suggests she go with Oscar to his room at the hostel. He reminds her that she is dressed as a nun. What would the people at the hostel think? She gets it.

Padilla is up in Monterrey looking for his son and has not found him at any convent yet. The city is large and it will take time. Carlos doesn't know what he is paying Padilla for and time is of the essence. He needs to find his son so they can leave the country ASAP. He hangs up on Padilla still talking.

Oscar tells Carolina that Mexico City was so much better than he had expected. He suspects the company he had has something to to do with that.

The police officers give Mother Gustava a look at the court order to make sure Carolina is living up to the conditions of her home confinement. She explains to the Cool Nun that they have to comply and takes charge leading them to Carolina's room.

In spite of seeing that his blood pressure has regulated, Rosalía gives the good father a list of tests she wants him to have done. He looks at the list and asks on an empty stomach to Zacatilo??? No! They are so expensive! She asks if he doesn't have health insurance. He says he has all the security that the Good Lord bestows upon them. Angelina and Juan David agree that he looks good, like new!! Juan David asks Rosalía if the good father can go back home. Sure he can. Suddenly the good father isn't feeling so well, sort of weak. He is afraid of fainting in the street!!! Angelina informs him that they will be still caring for him but at his house. Juan David will be cooking for him every day!. Angelina starts to explain and the good father cuts her off clearly offended. He understands what they mean!! He turns pathetic telling them not to worry about him and asks for his clothing. Angelina has it all nice and washed and ironed for him! Rosalía tells him to call her when he has the test results. She leaves. The good father arises but "weakly." When Angelina goes to help him, he refuses her assistance. He can do it by himself! All alone by himself . . .

Erika tells Oscar about her mother trying to take Moisés and how Andrés saved the day. Erika then tells him how she was so worried that her mother would be back, that she took the boys to spend the night with her at the inn. (nice to finally hear her reasoning) Oscar is angry at first but quickly is more concerned about the boys' welfare. Erika tells them that they are fine and back home.

Lucía talks to her doctor who now has her pre-admission test results. The doctor would like her to be admitted today so that the surgery can happen ASAP. She hands her an admission order. The doctor is optimistic they will be able to eradicate the cancer in her case.
 

MONTEVERDE Extras Página 2

Gloria has drafted Manuel and Angelina to find out who defaced Doris' bus. She refuses to be blamed for something she did not do! Manuel and Angelina are less than excited about their task.

The lawyer warns Carolina if she pulls something like she just did again, she will no longer be her lawyer. Her cybernetic expert has proof that Carlos himself opened the accounts abroad. All of the money of the people who were defrauded is in those accounts. Finally, they have a way to prove that Carlos is the person who committed the fraud and not her. The lawyer has to take the evidence to the judge so he can review it. If it all goes as she expects, Carolina will be free very soon and there will be an arrest warrant issued for Carlos.The lawyer warns her that if she does something like she did yesterday, she will have wasted everything they have done. Carolina swears she will not place one foot out of the convent until her freedom is granted. She is so grateful.

Lucía tells Rosalía that she is being admitted today. She doesn't have to ask that Rosalía go with her. She is there for her already and will go with her. Lucía is full of fear and cannot get over that her body will be mutilated. She cannot deal with it all! Rosalía assures her that she is strong and will recuperate sooner than she thinks.

Juan David and Angelina visit the good father to update him on the campaign. Juan David is done with texts and wants to know what else the good father has up his sleeve. The good father makes it clear that he doesn't do his best thinking on an empty stomach. . . For dinner he would like something really simple: tortilla soup, chicharrón in green sauce.. . Angelina reminds him he is still convalescing so ti will be chicken broth for him. The good father is disappointed.

Rosalía lets Lucas know she is going with Lucía. They will operate on her either today or tomorrow. Lucía is scared to death. If she is being honest, Rosalía is just as scared but of the surgeon finding more cancerous tissue in Lucía's breast than expected. That is a risk.

Oscar complains that Lucas should have consulted with him about the witch having arrived at the ranch and then the boys going to stay with Erika at the inn. Lucas answers confidently that it was something they were able to take care of themselves. Sister Celeste was at the inn. The boys end the conversation with their questions about Oscar's trip. The truth comes out. Oscar has to admit that he didn't go to Arteaga but to Mexico City. He readily admits that he went to see Carolina.
 

MONTEVERDE

Diana, I sort of felt sorry for Julieta, too.

Yes, it sure didn't take long for Sara to arrive in town. It almost seems like she was more of the plotter that Carlos since she is so stuck on him. Who knows what she will see with her birding binoculars? Don't like it.

Bad sign for Lucía with Rosalía commenting on the surgeon not knowing what they are dealing with until they see it.

I guess that Erika is to be trusted.
 

MONTEVEDE

Jarifa, I savored every single word of your amazing recap. Perfectly relayed with wit, humor and wisdom. You clarified much that I missed. I could have cut and pasted your entire summary - just exceptional.

Thank heavens solid evidence against Carlos has been found! There is still plenty of time for things to go awry but hopefully Carolina won't be pulling any further stunts to jeopardize everything.

"Erika then tells him how she was so worried that her mother would be back, that she took the boys to spend the night with her at the inn. (nice to finally hear her reasoning) Oscar is angry at first but quickly is more concerned about the boys' welfare". Oscar was right in that the boys safety matters most and while I'm glad he isn't as hotheaded as he was previously, Erika can't just do what she wants without consulting him. Similarly, Lucas should not have allowed the boys to go.

Father Gabriel was on a tear last night wasn't he? I smiled throughout. "The good father arises but "weakly." When Angelina goes to help him, he refuses her assistance. He can do it by himself! All alone by himself . . ." had me laughing out loud. Thank you so much for including this and all the "very slighted" atrocities the poor man had to endure. 😊

Lucia's surgery tonight. Hoping for the best under the circumstances.

Jarifa, this was such a fun and engrossing read. Thank you for your generous time, you've made my day!!

Diana
 

MONTEVERDE

Jarifa, you nailed it with "it almost seems like she was more of the plotter that Carlos since she is so stuck on him". She seems undeterred, callous and cunning. He may have made a grave mistake; let's hope so.

"Bad sign for Lucía with Rosalía commenting on the surgeon not knowing what they are dealing with until they see it" is exactly right Jarifa. Unsettling, wasn't it?

Diana