Caray, Caray!

Paula pours her heart out to the Santo Niño de Atocha; Juan overhears her confessing her love to him, begging the Santo Niño to tear the love out of her heart. Their eyes meet. He knows she spoke the truth because she wouldn't lie to the Santo Niño. They have the Marely-doesn't-deserve-this talk. Again. Paula tells Juan she's always loved him and he kisses her hair.

Ivonne tells Fer he's acting like he's got a screw loose. He says she's making him crazy because she's not explaining her situation. He needs to know if she's going to marry him.

Yadi compliments Kike on his new leaner self. He gets dreamy-eyed and says Julia taught him many things about food, business, every day when he got home the table was set. (Gag me with a spoon but I think we get his drift.) Yadi frowns, it's in the past right? Kike admits he and Julia were never novios, he didn't have the courage. Yadi smiles and asks if he did it for her?

Juan nibbles Paula's nose but she weeps and pulls away. More of the We-can't-hurt-Marely talk. Paula tells Juan that if he tries talking to Marely about them she (Paula)will never, ever accept him.

Ivonne tells Fer she doesn't want to get married until her cancer treatment is over. He wants to get married NOW. She recalls her Dr's words, that she might never have kids, so she tells Fer the answer is No, she's not going to marry him, happy now? He says "Too bad then, I'm outta here!" She cries a little.

For some reason Yadi is now calling Kike "Ricky". She fawns all over "Ricky" but he gently pushes her away. He says things between Julia and him aren't over, in fact he's in love with her! (A big cheer from the recapper. Yeeeehaw, dump the witch!)

Nidia tells Delirio for the first time in her life she can finally be with the man she really loves. She begs him to go to the divorce lawyer with her. She tells him, if you love me set me free. (I think I read that once on a wall hanging back in the sixties.)

Kike begins to tell Yadi his tale of woe regarding Julia, then he stops, commenting that maybe he shouldn't be saying these things to her. She uncharacteristically tells him it's OK, the truth is always the best.

Delirio, reeling from a broken heart, staggers away from Casa Cachón. Two toughs step out of a car and ask if he's Alirio Perafan bladiblah de la Rocha? They force him into the car. Where's Tonki when you need him?

Nidia, Marely and Angarita are discussing Delirio. Nidia says if she's said it once she's said it a million times, marriage without love Does Not Work! Marely looks uncomfortable and unhappy.

The ruffians have Delirio trapped in their car and they're holding a gun to his head. They want their money NOW! He says he no longer has it and shows them a bank statement he happens to have in his pocket. No matter, they say, he must have an account under a different name and he'd better tell them about it now or it will be time to pay the clown! (Pay the piper?)

In his office, Pastor counsels a weepy Ivonne. What daftness caused her to tell Fer she wouldn't marry him? She eventually admits it's because she can't have children. Pastor points out that not all people need to have kids; he's sure Fer loves her the same with or without kids. Fer has forgiven her and helped her through so much already. Don't break up over this!

To save his own skin Delirio throws Gutis under the bus. He tells the toughs that his ex-partner has all the dough. Kinda handsome bad guy (he looks familiar) says Delirio better be telling the truth, he doesn't want them to give him toasted pig skin (bump him off, thank you vocab list) do they?

Pastor tells Ivonne that he'll stand by her even if they're thrown together from the Latin American Tower. She says he's the best friend ever. She hems and haws and says there's something she's always wanted to know...when and how did he know he was gay?

Juan visits Nidia Michaela in the hospital and tells her she's got a tummy like her daddy. Kike pouts a little and says she should have a fine chassis but instead she's a diesel like her dad. Juan convinces a tired Kike to go out and have a beer with him. After he leaves Yadi sadly comments to Nidia Michaela that she handed him to another on a silver platter.

Pastor tells Ivonne that when he realized he was gay it grabbed him like a lightning bolt in the wilderness. He met an Italian guy, Giovanni Bannini, and...Black out! It was hard for him to accept he was a homosexual, it took him years to admit it, but with therapy and especially a lot of reading he finally accepted it. Reading? Ivonne is interested.

Juan calls Fer to meet them at the bar. When he tells Kike that Fer is down in the dumps Kike comments that Juan has a wounded face too, what's up? "My eternal torment" sighs Juan. Paula finally admitted she loves him; on one side the sun rises and on the other is Marelycita and now he feels as lost as a fly in the metro.

Paula tells Ana that she plans to deal with the Juan situation by going away, far away, so she'll never see Juan again in her life.

Juan tells Kike he really does love Marely and he was convinced he could be happy with her. "I was convinced, I was convinced," mocks Kike, "You're ruining her Juan!"

Ivonne writes down the title of a book, or maybe it's a bookstore, for Heriberto and sends him off to do his research.

Juan and Kike are in a noisy dive bar getting loaded. Juan insists that Destiny is a woman, just analyze the case of Juan and Paula, back and forth, back and forth (duro y dale, not sure exactly what that means but probably back and forth is good enough). Suddenly Destiny abandoned him! Exactly, says Kike, together but upside down. Kike tells his love-sick tale about Julia, he was on the verge of confessing his love but then her ex showed up. That's what Juan is trying to tell Kike! Kike says it's their own fault for having dreams and illusions. That's what Juan is trying to tell Kike!

Kike is drunk and philosophical. He says Destiny is a deep hole, in fact it's like the legs that carry them into a deep hole and later the hole gets even deeper, really really deep. Fer shows up and announces he told Ivonne to get lost. (Mandar la goma, thank you vocab list!) Juan thought bubbles that they were all wound up and soon confused by alcohol until their heads overheated.

Delirio and the bad guys bust into Gutis's rathole garage. Gutis is nowhere to be found and Delirio claims Gutis has played a dirty trick on them all, ha ha. Bad guy with hair says the guys in charge don't understand tricks, they only understand money. Either Delirio coughs up the dough or he dies. Bald bad guy giggles and says it will be easy. He scares Delirio one more time before they leave Delirio quivering in a sad heap.

Fer orders the tres amigos another round but Kike excuses himself, he must be reshponshible. Kike staggers off and Fer and Juan graduate to tequila. Salud! Venga!

In the hospital Yadi reveals to Marely that Kike is in love with Julia. Marely knows exactly how that feels and says she doesn't know if she should break her engagement. Why, asks Yadi, because the soup lacks flavor? (I might not want to know what that means - le falta sabor al caldo.) Not just that, Marely says, she's tired of Juan's bad vibes and doesn't know if she can be happy with him.

Juan and Fer are full-on drunk. Juan wants to give up women and Fer wants a woman who deserves him. (Be careful what you wish for.) They sing drunkenly and badly to the annoyance of the other customers. A drunk guy tries to change the music but Juan tells him to stop. Drunk guy calls Fer a blockhead with a blockhead grandma. Fer punches drunk guy and a barroom brawl ensues.

The fight continues through the commercial. Uh oh, drunk guy breaks a bottle and starts swiping at Juan. No, not the mullet! The barkeep calls the cops as Fer tells Juan he doesn't care for violence.

S2 (CL pretending to be Sandro) is meeting with a businessman in a classy bar. He tells the guy that he is the legal rep of the widow Farell and is personally making sure that everything is in order and ensuring that all her husband's shares get transferred to her name. Apparently this guy is going to purchase all of Paula's shares in Farell, he's been wanting to get ahold of them for some time. S2 congratulates him on soon owning half the company. The guy's name is Sr. Timado and he'd love to meet Paula in person to thank her. S2 tells him no way, sorry but that's impossible.

Paula weeps and Ana makes a cup of tea.

Anga and Nidia cuddle as Pastor looks on. After Nidia leaves Anga asks Pastor "Why so blue?" Pastor admits it's...it's...Heriberto, he returned to Farell. Anga insists operation or no if that infeliz bothers Pastor he'll split his head like a melon. Pastor says Heriberto seems changed, he's friendly and he begged Pastor for forgiveness and since Pastor's heart is like cotton...sigh. Anga advises Pastor to keep his distance but Pastor says there's one problem, he still loves Heriberto.

Heriberto is at the bookstore trying to buy a book on homosexuality. The obviously gay bookseller cheerfully tells Heri he's read it and it's very good, like no other. He'd be glad to recommend others to...Guapo! Heri blusters it's not for him but for his brother! (Baby steps, Heri, baby steps.)

Delirio shows up at Farell looking for Juan. Rosi tells him everybody is gone and she's going too, he can come back tomorrow. "There may be no tomorrow for me," he dolefully sighs. Sniff sniff.

Paula advises Ivonne that she shouldn't be so negative, her recent tests were very favorable. Ivonne says she has other reasons to be sad, she's afraid to be happy. Paula tells her not to wait, if only she'd confessed her love to Juan sooner she wouldn't be in this mess. Ivonne picks right up on it, "You mean you finally...?" Paula admits she confessed her love to Juan.

CL comes home to a stir-crazy Sandro. Cl reminds Sandro he'd better not step foot outside these four walls because soon the torture will end and Sandro's life will be better than he ever imagined. All the money that Sr. Faustino Timado pays for Paula's shares will be for Sandro.

Ivonne tells Paula it's all in Juan's hands now. He'll defend their love tooth and nail and he'll clarify things with Marely, right? Paula says no, that's precisely what she does NOT want. Marely doesn't deserve...oh never mind, it's the same old yada yada.

Over at the jail it's pandemonium. The barkeep says somebody's got to pay! Juan blames the drunk guy. Drunk guy's friend says it was because Juan and Fer couldn't keep a tune. Juan and Fer decide to prove him wrong by wailing as loudly as possible. They look terrible, shirt tails out, and Juan looks like Joe Cocker when he sings. Soon the crowd, cops and all, join in with a rousing chorus - "Forget the past, you no longer remember yesterday, forget the past, you no longer remember yesterday". Whoop whoop, Juan whistles, Fer plays air guitar, and any resemblance to reality is purely coincidental.



Jugaretta = Dirty trick
Mala ondas = Bad vibes (Lit. bad waves)
Pagar el payaso = To pay the piper? (Lit. to pay the clown)
Relámpago en despoblado = A lightning bolt in the wilderness (unpopulated zone)
Sale el sol = The sun rises (not "the sun sets" as one might think)
Zafarsele un tornilla = To have a screw loose, act irrationally (Lit. to dislocate a screw)

Labels: Juan

Just when I was wondering what happened to Heriberto, that is, the day of the fight did he really just take off for the pueblo? I guess so, 'cause now he's back! I'm so happy I get to recap him for my last time.

Juan wonders why he's visiting, because doesn't it annoy him wandering around on asphalt; that that's not his thing? Heri says well, now the pueblo just isn't the same, and he actually missed the office, the hallway gossip, the noise of the cars, and the contamination (pollution). Oh and Juan, because he's an on the level friend. He can't relate to Molondron, and even less his Pa. He wants his job back but Juan doesn't think that's such a good idea because he doesn't want any more problems. Heri promises there won't be anything, but Juan still has to consult with Pastor and if he isn't ok with it then there's nothing he can do because Pastor is in charge of personnel, even if Juan is president, he has to support his decision.

Pastor comes in and shys away. Heri offers his seat, but Pastor is fine standing, and no one gives up their seat for him, AND he wants to be "usteded." Juan explains it all and Pastor says it's my decision?

Heri moves in to explain and Pastor yells at him to stay far away, he can still hear. Heri promises that what happened will not repeat and he has thought a lot and understands now that some people like Mezcal and some red wine [Hmm...I like both, what does that make me? :)] he continues trying to delicately explain himself trying not to offend Pastor; that some are born to be hawks and others to be doves, and some like the Tigres del Norte (tigers of the north), but others the Pantera Rosa(the Pink Panther) (one a famous nortena band that the "everyman" would like, the other a play on an organization promoting GLBT issues- and both animals I must note... ;)) . Yeah, ok, Pastor gets it, and tells him to shut up already. Pasty says he can come back then, but not as his assistant. Heri says that's fine as long as it's not down in the dungeon where flies won't even go and he couldn't see the sun. Heri thanks Juan.

Pau wants to go in to see Juan but Ivonne detains her and tells her what's happening. Just then Mar walks up and tells them very sarcastically that she has something important to talk to Juan about so if it's not a problem she wants to go first, super hint rhetorical question there. Pau says yeah, go ahead, don't think bad things Marely, I only wanted to talk to him about work. Mar says she'd rather not think.

Juan tells her of Heri's return and suggests that maybe he could be her assistant. She doesn't answer that, instead asks Heri to leave them alone. He gladly obliges.

Mar drops the bomb, literally, because the whole office hears her screaming, including Pau who goes to cower in her office, that she's resigning and that he's lying to her and doesn't know how to treat people. He keeps telling her he's not lying, but she isn't buying it, they gave different versions of the story, she asks him if it's all true, then what did they talk about on their ride home and he says well the weather and that the polar current is entering the gulf and such things. She accuses him of not respecting her and that she's stupid for even thinking this would work and she leaves her resignation with him. He tells himself he's surprised at this outburst that he's never seen her this out of sorts.

Laura reports to "Sandro" the gossip that Mar came out of the office throwing sparks and he wonders why nothing ever turns out the way he planned. He sends her off to find out EXACTLY what happened.

What happened to the commercials? Sheesh. Sorry...I'll finish tomorrow...

OK, I'm working on it again...

Next it's Pau's turn to yell at Juan. She told him this would happen and that's why she didn't want the ride and then wanted him to go to her house directly, she's mad he said he only took her to the taxi stand. He asks her if she would have had him tell her that he gave her the ride with full intention of talking to her and asking about her life, and then ending up kissing her? Pau tells him to shut up. He says no way, what should he have told her? Essentially Pau says well, not that, but also not that he only took her to the taxis.

He tells her that Mar resigned and that it seems like they aren't novios anymore. LIke the terribly upset about this guy that he is, he launches right into how he thinks this means that he & Pau still have a chance and that God is putting his hand into this and telling them they are on the wrong path and they will destroy themselves if they continue this way. She thinks that at the expense of Marely's happiness, no way. Again he says he loves Pau and what does she expect him to do She says get that out of his heart, because Mar loves him so she and he can never be together. (What kind of logic is that?) She begs him to fix things with Mar and get her to take him back.

CL shows up to Mar's office because he hears she's leaving. She thinks that doesn't matter to him. He says it does, that there must be something that can fix all this. She says no, because no one in this office knows how to tell the truth. She calls him a two face and Juan a cynic, and he offers to help by getting the story from her. She tells him to leave her alone when Pau and Juan walk in and want her to listen to them.

Finally, a commercial.

She kicks Sandro out. Juan finally admits he lied and wants to tell her the truth. Pau too. OK, so they are still lying and tell her that they decided to say goodbye to each other for ever. She asks Juan if that's true. he tells himself that's 99% true, because where there was fire some embers remain.

Back at Casa Cachon Yadi leaves to go to the hospital telling Nid that the baby is much better and will be coming home tomorrow.

Mar notes that his silence doesn't mean good things. He wonders what he should say because his little dove put the nail in the coffin, but his little rose gardener wants the truth that he can't give without killing her. He says yes, they had to clear things up and that's all. Pau chimes in and tells her again not to think things that aren't there, that she and Juan are... and Mar cuts off her off that they'll stop right there, and she marches out to their protest. Pau gives him the I told you so speech again and stomps out. He wonders to himself what the hell he's doing because he's hurting the two women he cares about the most in the world.

Heri knocks to see Pastor, who very coldly and formally asks what Mr. Chavez wants. He wants to say he's sorry. Pastor says if that's all then go ahead and go. Heri wants to know if he's pardoned and Pastor says the past is past and he doesn't live in nostalgia so bye bye. Heri goes out.

Perfan is still outside of the Cachon house and TONKI has returned to the Foros Televisa! He's keeping Perf company, isn't that kind of him. Perf has a new sign proclaimning, "liberty, equality and fraternity" "long live love", and "out with the usurper." Meanwhile Nid is on the phone with the police telling them about the screaming crazyman on her lawn that her neighbors begged her to get rid of.

Ivonne wonders if the PI has found anything on the twins yet. He says Sandro goes home and no one else comes out. Fer wonders if she's listened to any of his calls and she says he makes all his personal calls from his office that she can't check, but I think she says maybe they should "borrow" his cell and see what calls he may have made. Fer agrees to risk all this for her.

Outside the protest is suddenly interrupted by the PoPo. They want to talk to Perf and he doesn't understand why. He explains that this is his house and his wife is inside. They wonder then why he doesn't just go inside. He says well, there is a conspiracy, because my wife is inside with the worst kind of pervert imaginable, a big headed vegetable seller, infectious, and a perfect ruffian. That's the person you should detain. By the way I am an internationally famous lawyer...blah blah. They ask him if he thinks they are from Timbuktu, in other words, they don't believe him. Perf thinks he sees what's up, then they are in cahoots with the guy in there and he thinks that's an old trick of corrupt cops and begins insulting them. Of course they haul him away.

Back at Farell Laura completes the story to "Sandro" that Juan and Pau went out together and she thinks Pau was trying to get Juan alone because she can't stand him with Mar so after that is when Mar got upset. "Sandro" makes a call.


Mar is going home with her box when real Sandro shows up outside the house and asks to speak with her. He begs to talk to her and she thinks that there is no use if he's trying to talk her into staying. He agrees with her and begs her to have coffee with him.

Nid waits for Anga to be napping and she goes down to clean up the squatters shack.

Fer is yelling at Juan wondering que the hell, that Juan even he told him his feelings for Pau were dead and buried. Juan needs to get some air and says he can't explain it even to himself.

Across the hall Ivonne is also match making yelling at Pau for not having shared her true feelings either. Pau blames Juan, but Ivonne says no, you both love each other stupid and nothing is going to make him love Marely. Pau thinks if she wasn't around it would be better but Ivonne says nope, sooner or later you'll encounter each other and this is going to keep happening. Pau says in that case she knows just who she needs to speak to. She doesn't say who, but marches out.

Heri makes his peace with Ivonne and asks her to help him with a delicate matter that he can't discuss here because the walls have ears, she begrudgingly accepts his apology and finally agrees to go with him somewhere to talk about his "problem."

Sandro chats with Marely and she is confused because now he's congratulating her for her fine decision and 2 hours ago was trying to convince her to stay. He continues with the old "that's the work me and I have a duty there," but this is the "out of the office real me just one of the guys"...blah blah and that he considers her a friend and asks her to confide in him. In spite of herself, Marely breaks down and tells him that Juan and Pau betrayed her behind her back and blah...and she is fooling herself because she knows how much they loved each other and that doesn't die. But she doesn't know why she's doing this to herself. Sandro does, she's in love.

In a coffee shop, Heri is still nervously trying to tell Ivonne something and she is losing her patience with him. Come on... OK he says,

I THINK I'M IN LOVE WITH PASTOR!!!

QUE???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? OMG!!!

We get an impactada face from Ivy, oh and a commercial. Of course now they coming every other minute...! And your recapper falls on the floor. No way...

Heri continues about thinking in the Pueblo and about all the things he and Pasty did together, and at first he was mad that Pasot expressed his love for him, but then he thought fondly on eveything. He went to the herb doctor to help him get all these bad thoughts out of his head, and was told to put herbs on his head and night, so there he was putting the herbs on his head, looking in the mirror and suddenly thought about Pastor's toupee. He's so confused and wonders if this is love that he's feeling. Ivonne doesn't know what to say. Yeah, not sure I would either. That's heavy.

Sandro tells Mar that he wishes everything was different, he begs her not to leave yet because he tells her he's in love with her and thinks about her all the time, he's loved her since he met her. She thinks he's crazy. He says yes he's so crazy that he's not even worrying about the consequences of telling her this. He tells her she doesn't know who he really is, and she responds that she knows he needs a doctor fast because just a short time ago he was interested in Pau and he was very clear when he told her this. He says Pau doesn't interest him but she does. She thinks it's a pity that he had the opportunity and if anyone could have erased what she felt for Juan it would have been him, but he's ruined that. Essentially she has enough to worry about with her other problems and he's destroyed what she felt for him, respect, etc. even love.

Back to Heri, he asks her not to tell anyone yet. She promises, and that she is happy to hear these feelings come out of his mouth because she thought he was a tough guy that had no feelings. He's afraid he's sick or being punished and she says it's not a sickness and you are more of a man for recognizing and being honest with yourself about such feelings than hiding them away for your whole life. He is crying and she strokes his hair. So sweet.

At home Marely tells Ma she was talking with Sandro and oh by the way she resigned.

Rosi tells a greening Fer that Ivy left with Heri.

Marely spills the beans about Pau and Juan to Nid. Nid starts to blame Pau, and praises Mar for acting like a Cachon. She says that as the novia she needs to wait for him to apologize to her. She says they already did, and Nid essentially gives her a pep talk into fighting for him if she doesn't want to lose him, which she doesn't, so she needs to forgive him.

Anga's nap is interrupted by constant doorbells. PERF is back. Nid is sending him to the devil essentially but he won't budge. She swears she's filing for divorce tomoorrow and that Angs's here recuperating from delicate surgery. Perf thinks the onioner should do it elsewhere, and he won't attend the divorce meeting. Anga comes out to help resolve the situation and gets a barage of insults from Perf. Now Mar gets in on it and they tag team him to leave. Perf gets down on his knees and begs his wild orchid for another opportunity and Nid makes a "maybe" face.

Another commercial break

He hit a soft string because she lets him in to the office and very seriously tells him that she feels nothing for him. He married for pure love on the other hand. She throws back that really he bought her as his wife and they married for the wrong reasons. Anga came into her life much before him, and even before Sam. Oh by the way, he's the father of Yadi too. Perf finally shuts up.

Ivonne comes back bringing a torta for Fer who is not as receptive as he should be. He explains that the PI has news but he couldn't find her to tell her because she was doing God knows what with Heri. She tells him he has a problem but she can't tell him what. He doesn't like this answer and starts yelling unprofessionally again. I don't like him when he does this.

And we are back to where we started again with this novela. First Juan, then Pau, beg Santo Nino for illumination with their problems. Juan is just leaving when Pau shows up unknown to him. Mostly she begs that Mar not suffer on her account. [Not that she doesn't suffer, just that it's not because of her doings.] Well at least they are keeping her in character until the bitter end.

We see Juan turn around before leaving the church because he forgot to pray for Juanito. He goes back just in time to hear his Palomita begging Santo to get rid of this great love that she feels for Juan. He asks her "Que the hell did you say?" And we'll find out her answer tonight.

Labels: Juan

CL brags to Sandro that he didn't have to lift a finger to set off Paula and Juan. When he and Paula met at the restaurant to discuss the sale of the shares, Juan and Marely were there, too. It was perfect!

Juan and Marely are driving and she apologizes to him for her antics from the night before. She's not accustomed to drinking like that. He says there's no need to apologize. But she's afraid that she's boring to him. Boring?!? How can that be? She's a Cachon! Juan goes on to list all of her attributes.

Sandro tries to express some concerns to CL about buying the shares from Paula. Is CL's plan legal? CL says, who cares? Sandro reminds CL and Juan and Marely are together, so he doesn't have to keep Juan and Paula apart. CL doesn't think that Juan and Marely will last. And he's leaving nothing to chance. Paula has no idea about the trap has in store for her! Sandro says, whatever you say.

At Casa Cachon, Nidia serving food to Angarita. He says, what about Perafan outside? Nidia's sure Perafan will go away. Angarita decides to bring some food out to the camper. Outside, Aliro is picketing: "Bald man outside, Perafan inside." And, for the record, he doesn't want any of the food. Angarita tastes it to prove it's not poisoned. Delirio still refuses. OK, says Angarita, go to hell! Delirio tells Anga he doesn't want to go to hell -- he'd see Anga there!

At Farrell, Juan barges into "Sandro"/CL's office. Sure, sure, come on in, have a seat, says "Sandro." Juan starts to talk about the sale of his shares and "Sandro" informs Juan that he's no longer intersted in buying them. What?! "Sandro" has another commitment now. Juan starts to bug him about the meeting with Paula at the restaurant the night before. What was it, business? "Sandro" is coy about it. After exchanging some polite insults, "Sandro" tells Juan he's barking up the wrong tree. And "Sandro" tells Juan, sometimes you just have to keep a low profile about your plans.

Juan tells Fern how he struck out, "Sandro" wouldn't tell him what the meeting last night with Paula was about. Well, says Fern, why don't you go over to Paula's office and find out for yourself?

As it turns out, Paula has gone. In fact, she's just left, so Juan hurries downstairs after her. Down in the garage, Paula's car won't start: No puede ser!! It's the battery. Juan arrives and offers to give her a ride. She doesn't want to be rude, but she'd rather not accept a ride from him. He insists and she gets in the car.

Upstairs, Marely steps into the lobby and asks after Juan. Ivonne tells her Juan just left. Marely hurries out. Yvonne smiles, nervous at what's in store.

Downstairs, a staffer tells Marely that Juan just left. With Paula. Paula???

In the car, there is silence. Juan starts to ask Paula about the dinner with "Sandro." She doesn't want to talk about it. Juan tells her he can't stand it anymore, he feels like he's drowning. Juan tells her the truth -- that he loves her now and he's always loved her from the start. She confronts him, why now, so late?

Paula asks, what about the other women? Juan says that he was just trying to forget Paula. He wants to know how she feels. Paula is angry and crying. But what about Marely? I can't love a man who would hurt Marely like that. She's my sister and my friend! Paula gets out of the car. Juan grabs her and tries to embrace her. They almost kiss, but she pulls away.

Back at the office, Juan comes into Marely's office. He heard she was looking for him. Yes. She asks him what he's been up to. Nothing. She heard he took off with Paula. Paula? No, no. But Marley saw them leave the garage together. Well, as it turns out, he did give Paula a ride to the taxi stand... her car broke down. Juan, is there anything else you want to tell me? Juan says no. He changes the subject and invites her out to eat.

Paula bursts in the door to her mom's place, crying. Paula tells her mom that Juan told her just now that he loves her. And that he and has always loved her. Her mom brightens. Did Paula tell Juan that she loved him, too? No, of course not! She couldn't. It's too late, he's with Marely. Ana tries to tell Paula that it's not too late. Juan doesn't love Marely, he loves Paula. And Paula should be honest with Juan and with herself!

At lunch, Marely is telling Juan about a report the she's going to write with a proposal of how to cut expenses. Juan is staring off into space, looking devastated. Marely asks him what the problem is. Nothing, nothing. He tells her he wants to talk about something other than work. She wants to know what else there is... He looks so down and he's been so quiet.

Marely says, why does she get the feeling that he's lying to her? Juan gives her an earnest look, he says he doesn't know why she feels that way. And she tells him that it's really, really important to her that he doesn't lie to her.

Back at Casa Cachon, Yadi is trying to feed Nidia Michaela. The baby won't eat and Yadi feels her face. The baby has a high fever! Yadi and her mom scramble to call the doctor. Yadi is hysterical and tries to reach Kike at his new business. Julia tells Yadi that Kike's out and he doesn't have his cell with him. Yadi tells her Kike needs to call, it's urgent.

At the hosptial, the doctor tells Nidia and Yadi that they're having a hard time bringing the baby's fever down. They are devastated.

Kike returns back to his office, after a successful meeting with a client. The phone rings and Yadi tells him that the baby is in the hosptial. They haven't been able to get the fever down. Kike asks, why didn't you tell me sooner? Yadi tells him she called before she left for the hospital -- and told Julia it was urget. Julia had told Yadi that Kike didn't have his cell. Kike scowls at Julia, why did you tell her I left my phone, my daughter is in the hospital!!! He storms off. Julia looks like she is not living her best life.

At the hosptial, Kike and Yadi hug each other. He asks Yadi what's going on. She doesn't know and can't tell him. He goes to scream at a nurse.

In the meantime, the doctor has come in to talk to Nida and Yadi. The doctor tells them that it may be a bacterial infection, they would need to use a strong antibiotic. He's not sure that the baby can tolerate that medication. Kike starts to threaten the doctor: he doesn't want anything bad happening to his little girl. The doctor calmly says, I can understand that you're upset... You just need to sign a release to do the treatment.

At Farrell, Ivonne bursts into Paula's office. Ivonne wants to know what Paula's crying about. Paula denies that she's crying. Then, Paula tells her that Juan told her yesterday that he has always loved her. Yvonne thinks that's good news. So Yvonne and Ana agree! But Paula says that Juan's with Marely. Yvonne reminds her that they're not married. If their engagement broke off, it would be sad, but not the end of the world.

Paula tells Yvonne that she doesn't want to get in Marely's way and hurt her like she's done so many times. And she doesn't want to repeat her past mistakes. After all, she broke up Monica's marriage to CL. Yvonne reminds Paula that CL and Monica's marriage was dead before Paula arrived on the scene. And Yvonne was with CL then. Paula doesn't want to hurt Marely -- and she has work to do. She shoos Yvonne out.

Kike and Yadi and Nidia wait at the hosptial. Nidia, the voice of reason, tells them to stay calm. The doctor comes out to give them an update and Kike tells him to speak Spanish. The doctor has come out to tell them that that baby is better. Kike hugs him and jumps for joy.

Juanito is putting on his PJ's while Juan stares off into space, sad. Juanito wants to know why Juan's so quiet. Juan starts to say "Pa-" then stops. He starts to talk about how he didn't have a "papa" the way Juanito does. Juanito's not buying it. He asks his dad if he is really in love with Paula? Juan looks shocked and denies it. Juan goes through the "logic" of the situation: Marely is is girlfriend, Paula is not. Juanito wants to know why Juan doesn't hug Marely like he loves her. Juan says that Marely is a very special person. Juanito chides him, tell the truth...

At the hosptial, Yadi and Kike are standing over baby Nidia's crib. Each of them is holding her hand. Yadi says she's thankful that the baby is better and that Kike is her father. Yadi tells Kike can see the baby any time. She says Kike is a good person, she took him for granted. Yadi wants the baby to learn from Kike's example and not to suffer for Yadi's mistakes. Kike looks at her, surprised.

At Casa Julia, she is calling all the hospitals to try to find out where the baby is (no HIPAA rules in Mexico?). She tells a person on the phone the baby's name: no it's not a joke. Finally she calls the right place.

Yadi and Kike each try to tell each other to go home for the night to sleep. But they both want to stay with the baby and scowl at each other resolutely.

Paula is in her bed, hugging her bear and crying. She hears her mom's words, that she should tell Juan how she feels. She starts to tell herself that's what she'll do, but then she worries about Marely.

Juan is pensive, sad, staring up at the ceiling from his bed. He hears Paula's words, that she wouldn't want to be with someone who was capable of hurting Marely, her sister and her friend.

Marely is taking off her makeup in her bedroom, looking very, very sad. She hears Juan's words, struggling to explain to her that nothing happened with Paula.

At the hospital, Julia comes to the baby's room and opens the door. It's dark and she sees that Yadi and Kike are asleep in the room, leaning on each other. She turns away.

In the morning, Julia is sitting on her couch, like a parent waiting up for a delinquent teenager. Kike comes through the door and says a formal good morning to her. He tells her that the baby is better. She says that she is glad. He is sorry he was cross with her. She tells him that it's no problem. He mentions that she looks like there is a problem. No, no.

Julia flashes back to the discovery of Kike and Yadi in the hospital room, asleep together. She tells Kike that she needs to him to move out... uh, she and her ex reconciled and he would be jealous of Kike living there. Sure, sure. Kike goes to get his things. She offers to help him pack. He says he can do it himself and be out of there in five minutes.

Marely confronts Paula in the Farrell lobby. She has some questions for Paula, who looks stunned. They step into Paula's office.

Why is it so hard to answer the question, Paula? Were you with Juan or not? Paula says no. Marely tells her that she saw Paula and Juan leaving the garage together. Oh, that! He gave me a ride to my mom's. Any Marely asks, what did you talk about? Nothing. And I decided along the way there that I wanted to take a taxi and I got out.

Marley tells her Juan told a different story, about taking her only to the corner taxi stand. Paula says, I didn't want to create an appearance of impropriety when there was nothing there. I didn't want you to have doubts. Marley shouts, I didn't have any doubts until you gave me reason to! She storms out of the office.

Marely runs into Laura in the hall. Laura wants to know, why the long face? Marely rushes into her office, in tears. She slams her hand on the desk, they're both liars!

* Note: Any similarity to real events is purely coincidental. *

Labels: Juan

Thanks for checking in. This is my last Monday night carrying the torch for our Juan Q one last round. I'll be around for the Grand Finale Sunday night as part of the swell tag team we have set up. Hope to see you here on these pages for that too. The best information we have is that it will be a three hour extravaganza Sunday the 22 of June.

We return to the amiable breakfast scene in the hospital cafeteria with NIdia and Pastor assuring each other of their family-like feelings but Pastor presents the news that she should really see him as the uncle of her daughter Yadira. Then drops the bomb of the positive results of the DNA test that proves that Angarita and Yadira are father and daughter. Nidia has an instant hot flash while we switch to Angarita back in his sick bed with Yadira practicing saying daughter and papa to each other.

In the garage things aren't so cozy. Alirio has to learn that for certain crooks like Gutierrez, apparently there is honor among thieves. Even though Alirio has replaced the money to the accounts, Gutierrez gives him the boot from the scheme. Alirio can't quite believe that he is being fired from being a worthless crook but see for yourselves. Guttierrez can't lower himself to continue with such a dishonest man. He hopes to never see Alirio again. Alirio protests (always a good word for his outburst) that he couldn't risk losing the one woman in his life. Gutierrez hopes he has learned his lessons (escarmientos) and looks for a woman that loves him. Another unheeded reality check for our verbose one. Alirio is determined (decidido) to fight for his woman.

Julia has baby Nidia Micaela in the lizard lounge of Farell where Ivonne listens to Julia talk on about what a perfect pair she and Kike would make. Ivonne dryly asks if he has made any declarations of his love? No, but.. Well come down from the clouds then.

Juan is thinking they are all dropping jaw bones (quijadas) and indeed we see Juan, Marely, and Kike are facing Pastor and Yadira with gapping jaws while they deliver the DNA test news which is decisive (contundente) that Anga is Yadi's papa. We get a classic astounded Kike reaction: soup of bald parakeets! (¡sopas de perico calvo!). We're in a movie. Juan goes on to explain to Ivonne and Paula who have just piled into the hospital lounge that the news is that the defunct Samuel Cachon is not Yadira's father but none other than Angarita is. Marely comes forward to ask Yadira if she is feeling like her half sister and assured by the less than logical Yadi that she is a sister and a half, Paula sneers on the side.

LIFE GOES ON:

Marely fondly caresses her new desk and swivels in her new chair in her office.

Angarita in spritely form and sporty workout clothes kisses Nidia in the hallway

Paula looks askance as Juan and Marely go all kissy face in the lizard lounge. Sandro2 looks doubly askance at Paula's pouty looks and the kissers. Switch to Paula pouting in her bed.

Yadira takes over and becomes more bossy at the market as the crown princess of veggie world.

Juan looks thoughtful in the semi-dark room of the sleeping Juanito

Kike and Julia assemble their business office with a fine new sign.

Ivonne emerges from cancer treatment to be hugged by Fernando

Juanito is getting his fantasy family meal as Juan and Marely fondly touch hands almost landing in his plate.

Nidia helps Angarita pack up as they pledge to stay together but she insists on her house not his. They won't separate until death.

Yadira advises little (half) sister Marely that she should be more aggressive and fashionable to appeal to Juan and needs to change her look. Yadira is going to have her matriculate into the University of Seduction making her bare her shoulders. She needs to work on her lower passions, the ingenue Marely begins to do NIdia chomichomi's nad wiggle about the room.

Only Ivonne has to hear Paula continue to whine about losing Juan to Marely. Paula insists she isn't going to interfere with the big engagement (noviazgo). But she can't avoid being sad and hurt. Now she struts out the door declaring that she is going to what she should have weeks ago. Eek, what's that says Ivonne.

Laura who can whine with the best of them is in a rage about having to see Juan and Marely together in an office. However, she doesn't realize she is raging at a mask which is delighted behind it. Sandro2 points out that THEY are engaged. He pictures an exasperated Paula beginning to chew her nails. An irritated Paula has made it across the hall and demands that Laura leave them alone. Sandro2 observes that she seems sad does she need to talk? Yes, she does but about business. She offers him the sale of her shares in Farell. He is left squinting while we all count how many times he has been offered his company back...

Nidia tells Anga she will go up to prepare his little bed. While she wiggles up the stairs, Pastor observes that he won't insist that Anga go home with him as he can see how happy he is at Nidia's. How considerate on you part, quips a pleased Angarita. Just then the office door opens and oops, Alirio is still in the house, he demands how can Angarita put his dirty feet in HIS house.

Paula assures Sandro2 that she will sell her shares for whatever Juan's offer was that Sandro2 was disposed to accept just a few episodes ago. The important thing to her is to get far away as soon as possible. She wants to get away from the executives of Farell even though Sandro2 says it would be a shame for her to leave. He pokes the sore point, isn't this about the engagement of Juan and Marely? Yes, she admits yes but wonders why he keeps bringing it up. He insists that her presence in the company is strategic. She starts to slam out the door saying if he isn't interested she will find someone else to buy her out. No, no, he just needs to study the paper work a bit so he can move forward. She asks him to be quietly discreet and he sites Ivonne as a known leak. No, no one else knows about this offer so just keep it quiet. BREAK

Alirio argues with Angarita and Pastor about his house when NIdia gets into it and cheers on Anga and then Pastor takes the lead as words get stronger to chase Alirio around the staircase while Alirio calls him a homosexual (invertido) but said invertido gives him the bum's rush and they slide right out of the house. Outside Nidia announces her intention of getting a divorce this very day. Pastor and Nidia laugh at him and return to the house arm in arm, saying a dog that barks doesn't bite.

Paula repeats her demand for discretion and speed on this transaction to a grinning Sandro2 who assures her she can count on him. Juan comes out of his office as Sandro2 leaves Paula's office still sporting his grin. Juan demands to know why Sandro2 is always in Paula's office and a widening grin assures him that it is principally for work but there is more between them and Juan must know that it is difficult to keep just to business between such people. He give the famous Juan chin flipping gesture to the master himself. Juan is momentarily trumped and barks at Marely but quickly recovers and promises her a night out on the town as she wishes.

Alirio is in a store without money. Paula is interrupted again by Sandro2 who wants to meet for dinner to review the papers and get answers to some doubts he has.

It is Juan's turn to whine about how much attention Sandro2 is paying to Paula, he can only tell Kike at the new trucking office about how it irks him. Kike's advice is that a dead dog isn't ferocious anymore. Juan decides he will go back to his deal to sell his shares to Sandro2. It isn't fair to Marely for him to hang out in an atmosphere of old loves. (Gee, lots of places he can't work, huh?)

Speaking of the rose garden, she has been tarted up astoundingly by sister Yadira in buckets of makeup which balances the very low cut dress she is squeezed into. This Yadira means business at the University of Seduction! BREAK

Marely feels like a another person. (she sure isn't any Marely that we know) Yadi assures her she is more Cachon than ever and so precious.

Kike and Juan discuss Juan's options of other work, getting away from bad love and selling the shares.

Alirio reveals that what he was after at the second hand store seems to be a large ugly tent. NIdia protests his trashing the yard but he has a sign, "afuera Calvo, adentro Perafan" which he waves at her as they argue about whether he will leave the yard or not. NIdia threatens that the garbage truck will come at 7 AM and it wont' be her fault if they mistake the tent for garbage and haul him away for her.

Kike enthuses about all the pieces put into place for their business, then smells something delicious which we are told is a special family recipe of paella (wish we had the directions) He is ready to tell her something more he wants to say about them but is interrupted by the smell of burning paella.

Ivonne on the arm of Fernando tells Ana and Paula thanks and goodbye as she prepares to go back to her own life.

Juanito and Juan do telescope eye gestures at the bonbon Marely in her sexy "let's go to Paradise tonight, Juan" costuming from U.Seduct. central wardrobe. BREAK

Ana and Paula argue about the dinner with Sandro2 which Paula insists is only for business and doesn't mean anything else. Ana knows better but Paula tells her about wanting to sell her shares and get away from the company and especially Juan.

Angarita tells Nidia he has doubts about the engagement (M and J's ) He knows that he and Juan are a lot alike in that when they find the one woman they really love in life, they are hooked for life no matter what time and distance and different roads. Like I love you, he loves Paula Davila. Nidia insists that Marely can erase this foolishness (desatinos) with Paula. Anga says I hope so but doesn't look like he believes it. Because there are going to be three unhappy people not just two.

Ana and Willy plan a fun trip to Italy for months (I'm packing) while Ana continues to worry about Paula's silly decisions and mistakes she is making. The indulgent Willy says let's take Paula with us to Italy. Ana likes this to give Paula a new direction in her life. AND they can marry in Venice. (I'm packing, I tell you)

Paula and Sandro2 are meeting at the restaurant with a lawyer he has brought to ask questions. She agrees to hire him to take care of certain paperwork that is all wrong but Paula hasnt' had tie to change names and file papers after Cesar Luis' death. This lawyer is only too glad to help her with all that. As he leaves in comes the ENGAGED COUPLE. Everyone acts surprised and annoyed at this encounter. BREAK

Paula and Sandro2 get up to leave while Marely asks to toast as she acts rightly jealous at the rubber necking Juan does to keep looking over at what Paula is doing. Sandro2 doesn't look so happy either.

Ivonne and Fernando continue examining the evidence of coincidence of Sandro2 and CesarLuis both keeping everyone else thinking there is just Sandro left. They get distracted from the sleuthing to kiss and decide to spend the night together.

Marely is finally whiny about wanting Juan to look with deep love and lust at her just like he always has with Paula. He must be bored with her. She wants to spend the night with him.

Ana invites Paula to Italy with them. When she agrees to come for the wedding but will sell her interests in Farell first, Ana tells her to wait until she comes back but she doesn't intend to come back, ever.

Marely begins to channel NIdia and suggest Juan should make passionate love to her and not stand back and respect her like he insists he must. She really takes off on a quest but is soon collapsing drunk in Juan's arms. We see them come into Marely's bedroom in a silly drunk scene that inlcudes Juan's indecision about putting her into her scanty pajamas. She wants kisses and passion but the room is whirling so. He ends by covering her with his jacket. He thinks he is not ready to wake up in this bed so escapes as she protests weakly between wanting to hurl or be passionate.

Sandro and CL discuss the success CL can just taste. Both Paula and Juan are about to fall. He is the victor. Sandro tries to point out that Juan isn't going to fall over Paula, he is engaged to Marely. But CL is sure he is about to deliver the coup de grace with Paula's help. She has offered him her shares of Farell. He beams as we end dreaming of money and power and a vanquished Paula and Juan. Hmmmm...


VOCABULARY:
Escarmientos = lessons, punishments

Decidido = determined, committed, decided

Quijadas = jaws, jawbones

Contundente = decisive proof

Sopas de perico calvo = soup of bald parakeets! Wow! This is too precious, and probably on this list before but don't try to make it like some other phrase.

Noviazgo = engagement

Invertido = homosexual, upside down

Desatinos = foolishness, blunders

Labels: Juan

Okay, gentle readers, this episode aired on Friday the 13th and that’s always a lucky day for me (reverse superstition, I guess). Lots of good things in my life have been attached to Friday the 13th. So, as I begin to watch Juan, I am hopeful at least ONE good thing will happen tonight. Of course, the one good thing could just boil down to the lovely glass of red zinfandel I have while I recap.

Our Thursday review: Delirio and Marely have stayed in the master bedroom, one of the major scenes in this novela from Day 1, after Nidia has rolled her suitcase over him and left for Angarita. Delirio has gotten himself up off the floor and his pity party is in full swing. He hopes Marely’s Mami will have mercy on him. Marely points out she never felt that way about him, why should she now? She tries to convince him it’s O.V.E. R. and he just moans and grumbles. She furthermore points out how he’s always been in some cheating scheme or trick. Delirio whines that Nidia and he are birds of a feather, flying in the same direction. Marely gives him a final blow—you’d best get your stuff and get out of here. She stalks out while he mourns his fate. [Hm. This could be the First Good Thing for my Friday the 13th.]

Papi Paris is still strangling the stuffing out of Juan, who really could be tossing him off with no effort, IMO. Maybe he doesn’t want it to look too easy. Hillary and the ineffective majordomo are yelling for Papi to stop and yells for Macario (the majordomo) to get his escopete (shotgun). Finally, Papi lets Juan breathe. Juan wants to know if they’ll let him explain. Seeing there’s not going to be help to get up, he scrambles up on his own. Juan shouts that he knows he’s got plenty of explaining to do. Plutarco lunges at him again and Hillary holds him back. They fuss about whether he’s going to get his chance to explain and Macario says he’ll go for the rifle—but Hillary stops him. Juan asks Plutarco to just calm down. Plutarco isn’t calming down when he sees a Don Nobody rejecting his daughter. Juan is a Dead Man. Juan protests that he isn’t rejecting anyone. Least of all does he want to hurt Hillary! He tells them that he began something lovely with a [insert list of great qualities: beautiful, good, pure in heart, generous, etc.] wonderful woman. She’s a woman like few I’ve seen in my life! Juan has the attention of the crowd. Juan continues ---believe me, Don Plutarco….and makes a faux pas with the wrong gesture and tone of voice. Plutarco lunges again. Juan pleads with him to understand—how could he possibly be putting down a woman who is so perfect? Plutarco barks back that it’s too late. Juan stammers that he’s realized that he found himself in a situation that….Hillary chimes in, a situation that we basically forced a little. Plutarco barks at his lovely daughter. Whose side are YOU on? She’s on her own. She lets go of Papi, whom she’s been restraining, and moves to Juan. She retorts gently to Papi that he only wants the relationship for appearance’s sake. Hillary turns to Juan and asks if it’s another woman? Paula? He acknowledges it’s a woman, but it’s Marely. Plutarco screams it’s not one woman, but TWO! Hillary confronts him. She wants to talk to Juan. Alone. Plutarco and Macario fume away while a worried Juan faces Hillary.

Juanito and the step-mama of his dreams are engaged in a heart-to-heart. He’s hoping Papi will come up to scratch and ask her to marry him fast. Marely chuckles about the idea. Juanito earnestly tells her that he and Papi are both lacking something in their lives. Juanito feels the need for a Mami. Marely smiles, impactada for Juanito’s benefit, in pleasure. Well, if that’s what she wants….he shyly adds. Of course! She tells him that before they get married, they have a few things to work through. [Like Paula.] Plus, she needs to get back to work. Juanito wants to know why she can’t work in Farell and Marely sidesteps—she prefers to work someplace else. She smiles, with the net effect of distracting Juanito.

Juan explains to Hillary that Marely has always cared for him and he has for her. He asked her to try him out as boyfriend, but she decided to go to Spain instead. At that moment, he was pretty ….”vulnerable,” Hillary supplies. Yeah, vulnerable. She asks if that was when he decided to accept a commitment to her. Yes, he sadly tells her. Hillary stands up and walks in the garden with Juan following, as he continues that she came onto the scene, with her lovely smile, her great heart, and was so good with him, and he was knocked flat (fell finished- caí redondito). He stayed quiet with the bankers around. He accepted because an angel like her had taken notice of him. Then Marely, who had always said no, decided not to go and take him at his word. No? Hillary nods her understanding, and finally turns to face him, sad. Juan continues that Marely changed her plans for him and turned back her scholarship. Juan didn’t want to hurt Hillary, but at the same time he can’t give her false hopes. He asks her forgiveness. Hillary is sad and a little impactada—she thought Paula would be the danger. She never thought he could exchange her for someone he didn’t love. Juan struggles to assure her he does care about Marely. Hillary tells him not to fool himself. She can eventually accept this, though it hurts. At the end of the story, their relationship was barely beginning and she appreciates that he’s been honest with her. They stroke each other’s cheeks and say their goodbyes gently to each other. She tells him not to say more; what happened between them was so lovely and she’ll always have it in her heart. He tells her it’s the same for him and they give each other a gently kiss of farewell. Juan thought bubbles that at that moment, really he said goodbye to Hillary, and took a piece out of that big heart, but he also was finally forced to be sincere with himself—a very big task. Hillary goes to sit in her garden and reflect on the vagaries of life while Juan is left to reflect on the same thing.

Sandro wonders if CL is going to spend the rest of the afternoon drinking himself into a stupor. CL retorts that, and the evening, too, and plops into a chair with his bottle and glass. Sandro scolds him gently for destroying himself. What are you---er, we---going to do? Conquer her! CL is defiant with a full bottle of booze in his hand. [Ed. Note: Why did he bother with the glass? He doesn’t need it to drink out of the bottle.] CL complains that he’s given her another chance and if she’d accepted he would have forgiven all. All those offenses, humiliations, betrayals. [Ed. Note: Sheesh.] But no, the miserable harpy! [Ed. Note: Has he been reading our recaps?] Sandro points out he’s drunk and with or without Juan around, she just doesn’t love him. CL stares at him and tells Sandro that he’s going to destroy her so she feels as bad as he does. While there’s anything left of César Luis Farell, those two won’t end up together. Is there a plan? Not yet, but before long he’ll give Paula Dávila some of her own poison. He’s still defiant and whew, are his eyes bloodshot.

In the lovely Paris castle Juan strides out purposefully and Plutarco is waiting to yell at him—you’ll pay for my daughter’s tears with blood, Juan Dominguez! Juan does a u-turn and faces off with Plutarco but wisely leaves a few more feet between him and the old despot. Juan yells that they can resolve this right now—where’s the rifle? He heads for Macario who has it in hand and looks terrified as Juan grabs it. But, Juan hands it to Plutarco and tells him to take his best shot (agárrela-hold this!). Okay, here I am—or do you want to shoot me in the back? Plutarco is completely bemused. Look, I was totally sincere with Hillary, asked for her forgiveness, and now I’m asking yours, but go ahead and do the Daddy thing and just kill me already. Plutarco, thoroughly at a loss, hands the gun back to Macario without even looking behind him. He stares at Juan, who urges him to let his daughter live her own life. Let her learn from her own mistakes. It wont’ take long before she finds a good man, a sincere man who’ll respect and love her, with all his heart! This is a woman for whom the ONLY ugly thing she has is a father like you! Macario motions for Juan to shut the heck up and someone—could it be Plutarco ?? -- bellows. With your permission, Juan gingerly turns and gets the heck out of dodge before anyone realizes they could be shooting him in the back. He thought bubbles that with those Sunday words (palabras domingueras—Sunday words—high-falutin’ words) he’s left Plutarco more paralyzed than a cat in a high tree. He watches over his shoulder, musing that at any moment now they could decide to end his wretched life with a bullet. He gets around the fountain and spins so he can rip and tear out the front entrance while the two bemused dragons who guard Hillary are left to wonder what the world has come to. Macario salutes Plutarco and goose-steps off while Plutarco is still in a state of shock—get while the gettin’s good.

CL continues his drunken self-pity orgy. Maybe he and Delirio could hitch up and moan in harmony. CL is hopeful in an ugly sort of way that Paula will suffer every minute of every day until she can’t handle any more. Sandro wisely tells his twin that if he thinks Sandro’s going to loan himself to this scheme, he’s totally nutso. Sandro thinks he’s behaving like an infant and Sandro won’t see folks treated like this. CL says Sandro doesn’t have to be the champion of justice (paladín de justicia). Actually, Sandro can be the test pilot for CL’s schemes (aprobar mi idea – approve of my idea). Sandro, predictably, looks worried.

Papi Plutarco finds Hillary in the lovely garden. Macario has shouldered the rifle, but he stands at the ready to protect and serve. Hillary tells her Papi if he has something to say, make it quick. What does he expect? He can rub it in her face that she chose the wrong man. Papi unexpectedly tells her that HE was the only wrong person here. Okay, he was a jerk [not literal at all, but the general concept], but I have to concede he had guts (tuvo pantaloncitos—he was wearing pants). He told me a thing or two that took me down a peg (lowered me a bit - me calaron). I have to tell you something, my daughter, from today on, I’ll never meddle in your relationships. Plutarco takes Hillary’s hand and looks her in the eye. Really? Hillary is very hopeful. Yes, I give you my word. They hug. He adds that regardless of who she wants to talk with, if something’s not going well, he’ll always be there for her. If she lets him, he’ll begin today! Hillary smiles at her beloved Papi through her tears, nods, and hugs the old Poop again.

It’s night at Santa Rita hospital and Yadi isn’t feeling so dizzy from the bloodletting, so she tells Pastor she’s going to go now, and thanks him for the sandwich. The second shift of Cachónes is arriving as Nidia trots up. She wants to know what’s happening with Angarita. Yadi tells Nidia Anga is in his room. They’ll operate early tomorrow. Pastor remarks there’s not much to be done now and Nidia retorts that there’s something to be done—she’s staying with the sick guy. Yadi and her presumed Uncle exchange fond looks. Yadi sticks in a comment about Nidia’s….uh….hubby. Nidia doesn’t want to hear any mention of him. This farce of a marriage is OVER. Since very recently, she’s officially in the process of divorcing the Licenciado Delirio Perafán Roaches etc. ;-) Pastor snaps his fingers in Just the Right Place with her and grins slyly. Nidia mumbles nonsense about Pancho Villa and both Yadi and Pastor stare, bemused. Nidia proceeds to give Pastor directives about paying the taxi driver, getting her suitcase, etc. She has no thought to be far away from her man for even one more second. Where’s the room? They both point down the hall and off she scoots.

The nurse makes Angarita more comfortable as Nidia sails in. The nurse asks Nidia to please speak softly (bajito). And if you really care about him, don’t go near the equipment. [Ed. Note: Apparently the Word has gotten out.] Nidia is ashamed and assures the nurse she won’t touch it as the nurse leaves. Nidia draws a stool over to sit by Anga, who is sleeping, oxygen on and all his cords intact for the moment. He rouses and sees Nidia. Anga wants to know what she’s doing here, and Nidia tells him she’s gone through the darkest afternoon of her life thinking he had died and taken all her fantasies of a life with him. He smiles and tells her “see, I’m still alive.” He’s not sure why, though, he teases her (a little). She retorts it’s so he can spend the rest of it at her side. What about your husband? You didn’t want to leave that nobody (pelagato, from earlier lists). She tells Anga to listen up, even if it gives him fits…..she’s just abandoned the Licenciado Perafán. Anga is muy, pero muy, impactado and muy, pero muy, contento (pleased).

Our lead-in after the break is a very healthy and happy looking Angarita polishing the apples at the market stall he owns. This is a Very Good Sign of Things to Come. Pastor jumped to Nidia’s orders and got the suitcase and the taxi taken care of. Yadi and he stand by the nurses’ station chatting. Pastor wonders if he can drop her at home. She gladly accepts the lift (aventón, earlier vocab list from months ago) because she feels like a lump (estoy en calidad de bulto—I have the quality of a lump). Not so fast, folks. Here come Ivonne, Paula and Fern. They greet the newcomers. At their question—how are you, Pastor responds that they’re worn out and expecting a tough day tomorrow. They ask how his brother is and Pastor responds that he’s stable, but the surgery doesn’t save everyone. Fern tries to reassure him. Ivonne wonders if they’ve left him alone and Yadi tells her that her Mami is with Anga. The look around at each other awkwardly as Yadi adds that it looks like her mother has given the boot (le dio cuello - given the collar, my best guess) to that useless Don Delirio. She exchanges a glance with Pastor who makes a modified Delirio Perafán de Roaches, etc. hand gesture and Ivonne and Paula exchange something that looks like a meaningful glance.

Nidia is lecturing. She’s actually lecturing herself and explaining to Anga how she ended up with Delirio. Pure ambition. But the sin brings the penitence—all those lies, inertias. Anga smiles indulgently. Nidia tells him she wants to leave that all behind, if Anga will still accept her. Nidia comes close and sits on the side of his bed. She wants to be at his side every minute to the end of their lives. They can marry or shack up (arrejuntarse). She doesn’t care. Whatever he wants. The hold onto each other’s hands—his with wires coming out. He mumbles an endearment and asks why she had to wait all these years to get around to this—but he’s smiling fondly. She asks forgiveness and tells him to kiss her because time’s flying. And Die Eltern* kiss, much to Paula’s, Ivonne’s and Fern’s fond amusement. Angarita’s monitor show a nice steady resting heart rate of 62. [Ed. Note: The machine was made in the US of A since it says “hr/bpm” on it. I’m just sayin’.]

*German for the Oldies--which is New Zealand for the Oldsters--which is US. Is that sufficiently vague? ;-)

Kike and Delirio are holding down the fort, if you can call it that, in the Casa Cachón living room. Delirio continues his pity party and Kike is the scolder of the hour. He’s shameless, Kike tells him, and Nidia’s never going to pardon him. He shouldn’t have done it! [Ed. Note: I missed something. When did Kike hear about Delirio’s perfidy?] Delirio cries that he doesn’t want to lose her. [Ed. Note: Not to put too fine a point on it, but can one lose what one never had?] Kike scolds that he should have thought of that before he did those dumb things. The bell momentarily saves Delirio, Kike and us. Kike answers the phone—after a struggle for it. It’s his new “wife,” Julia, wondering where he is and why the heck he’s not answering his cell phone. He explains that he’s with his daughter since Yadi’s at the hospital. Delirio sinks back into his “poor-me” stupor. Julia asks how it’s going and Kike updates her—it’s better, but he’s not going to make dinner with her. She guilt’s him by making sure he knows she’s fixed some healthful (dietéticas) enchiladas. Kike swears to her he’ll hurry and get home to eat. He hangs up and Delirio tris to engage him again but Kike isn’t having any part of it.

Paula’s made it home to sit ramrod straight on the bed and chat with Ana, who is painting her nails. If we look closely, Ana’s LEGS are showing! Wow, Ana asks Paula if Nidia’s decided to leave Perafán? Yep, and never leave Angarita’s side. Well, it’s about time. With that news, Ana is sure, Anga will get well in no time (en un dos por tres). She looks over her shoulder in the mirror at Paula, whose dress still leaves me cold where work attire is concerned even if it did impress our male commenters. Ana notices Paula’s quiet—what’s wrong? Paula can’t stop thinking about “Sandro.” Ana approves that she made things very clear for “Sandro.” Paula says Ana should have seen what Paula saw in his eyes—a profound sadness. Ana thinks she’s exaggerating. Paula thinks that he took the rejection so sharply that it affected him so much. Ana applauds her for thinking about it and acting with maturity—there’s a first—and Paula agrees that she’s satisfied. They exchange loving looks.

Ivonne lets Fern know the latest, that Paula gave Sandro the brush-off, or CL, whoever it is. She’s serving coffee as they finish dinner in a quiet at-home evening. She warns that this could have its consequences because that guy won’t stand by quietly for it. Fern comments that he’ll have to be more cautious (pendiente) in his movements or he’ll give himself away. Ivonne changes the subject—she’s been looking for lifesavers at various stores that sell sporting goods (deportivos-sports). She’s not sure—something that would explain how he survived. Well? Nothing so far. Fern thinks they need to shift their focus—they need to hire someone to watch over CL’s apartment. With what money, Ivonne wants to know. Fern has a friend he thinks won’t charge a lot. [Ed. Note: with onlythismuchtimeleft, we’re going to get a new character???]. Ivonne is worried about how much he’ll have to tell his friend about why they’re spying. He tells her not to worry.

One of the twins has come to see Marely. It appears to be Sandro, but who knows? Kike looks at him in shock as Sandro asks for Marely, who is coming down the stairs. He apologizes for dropping by without any warning but he has to see her. Kike is looking muy impactado. He’s so glad she didn’t go to Spain….Marely interrupts—why the heck is he here? He’s come to ask her to return to Farell. He wants her to work directly with him. Marely is not pleased.

She challenges Sandro—she thought his personal assistant was Laura Berrocal. Yes, but Marely is much more qualified than Laura is. Kike watches this all from behind Sandro very warily. Sandro tries to convince Marely that she and he could make a great team. Marely is wary. She doesn’t understand why he would offer this. He wants her to grow professionally, have a great salary—Kike is gesturing wildly behind Sandro to get Marely to refuse. But, Juan comes home to save her. What the heck is going on here? He rushes in, greets Kike, ignores Sandro, and kisses Marely. Juan muses to himself about how been p.o.’d at what he found here (mosquearme la sopa – be offended at the soup? Juan must be mixing some metaphors here?). He kisses Marely and she welcomes him, still looking warily down the stairs at Sandro. Kike grins—his hero has shown up to save the day yet again. [Ed. Note: Juan protecting Marely from the big, bad wolf really gives the sense of how good they might be together.] Marely tells him he can’t imagine….yep, Juan assures her, he heard. He faces off with Sandro—how interesting, Sandro beat him to it, as he himself had been thinking about doing this very thing. Sandro points out that Juan hadn’t said anything to him, and he’s in charge of the Administrative VP things….so he thought…..Juan interrupts—he’s in charge of all the hiring, ultimately, so what part of that doesn’t he understand? Marely tries to interrupt and break up the P***ing Match the boys are having, while Kike grins in glee over the match. Marely thanks Sandro for coming, but as he heard, Juan’s taking care of it. Wait a minute, Juan, Sandro counters—perhaps you can consider having Marely work in my area. Sandro needs a person like her working with him. Juan thought bubbles—do you want me to gift wrap her, Papá?) Juan retorts that he’s the only one, the exclusive one, dealing with his girlfriend/sweetheart/fiancée. Sandro argues that they need to be practical—he has very few personnel in his area. Juan spits back that by some coincidence, his presidential area needs well-qualified folks, too. Marely rubs her brow –what a headache! The two break into full-scale yelling and Marely yells to quiet them. She thanks Sandro again and hustles him to the door. Sandro leans in to her and whispers that he’ll expect to see her in the morning, with Juan giving him an A+ stink eye from the stairs. Sandro goes with a glance back and Juan brushes under his chin in derision. Kike gives him the cutthroat sign and quietly slinks off upstairs while Juan gives him a pensive look. Marely returns—Juan, had you really considered having me back at Farell, or did you just say that because Sandro offered me work? He assures her he’d been thinking about it, but what with Angarita’s emergency he hadn’t had time to address it. Marely wonders if it would really be correct for the two of them to work in the same place. Juan tells her it would, of course. She’s worried it will cause problems with their relationship in the workplace. What problems? With such a lovely, intelligent woman there could never be a problem. He gallantly kisses her hand, then hugs her, as she looks worried. [For a girl who frowns in worry all the time, she doesn’t have the wrinkles she should. Life is SO unfair!]

Delirio is back in Gutis’ rat hole, carrying on his pity party. Gutis just wants to know if he’s put the money back. Delirio can’t think about such mundane things when the holder of his heart has dumped him. And, it’s all Gutis fault, by the way. Gutis doesn’t give a rip about Delirio’s problems. Why hasn’t he done it? Delirio hasn’t had time, and how could he, when his heart’s been ripped in half—in fourths—in eighths? All he can think about is his terrible grief!!! Hablablablabla…llorababababa. Gutis puts a stranglehold on Delirio to help him focus on the real issues in life. The clients will kill them if they don’t get their money back. They know where he lives and they’re dead men. [Ed. Note: Not to put too fine a point on it, but Delirio doesn’t live there any more. He got evicted.]

Yadira sadly tells Kike the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth as they sit in her bedroom with the baby. Kike is predictably muy impactado. Kike can’t imagine where Anga got the idea that Yadi was his daughter, but now it’s clearer and Kike owes the Don a major apology. Yadi reminds him it’s not visiting hours now. He’ll go the next day, and thanks her for telling him. She gently thanks him for taking care of her “gorda” [Ed. Note: I had a chat with our pastor from Mexico recently about how calling someone “Tubby,” “little fat one,” “Chubs” or other nickname that talks about fat might be seen as insulting in the US and he was impactado. It’s obviously a cultural thing!]. He tells her no thanks are necessary because he could spend lots of time with his daughter. They both glance at the crib fondly. Yadi thinks it’s late and he could stay and sleep over. Kike tells her nope, he doesn’t live here now and anyway, Julia has a nice healthful supper ready. He comments on his figure and she makes a fond little joke “your figure? Go figure.” Though Yadi doesn’t explode with jealousy this time, she’s profoundly sad as he says his farewell and goes off to the new life she pushed him to.

Juan and Marely eat their late dinner and chat about Nidia going to stay at the hospital with Anga all night. Really? Whew, he can only imagine the Licenciado Delirio’s expression at that. Juan, what you can’t imagine is what happened! She tells him about the newest revelation that Delirio never really went to jail in order to keep Nidia out of it like he led her to believe! Marely describes the theatrics that ensued and how Nidia threw Delirio out of the house. Wow, your Mamá even got rid of this albatross around her neck (carga de encima—burden hanging over her). Marely remarks that the need to get some rest so they can get up early. Juan thanks her for the coffee and they fondly say their good nights. She loves him so much and wants to make him very happy. Juan tells her she does make him very happy. A gentle kiss and lovely hug seal it.

Sandro reports on his field trip to his drunk twin, whose glass is still in hand, and who is barely sitting up in the chair. Marely will return to Farell and that’s what matters, right? What difference did it make that Sandro himself wasn’t the one who did it? CL agrees that it’s important for Marely to return so Paula will suffer more. Sandro reminds CL that he’d promised that Marely wouldn’t be hurt. CL scoffs a little. Sandro warns him that if Marely is hurt, CL can’t count on Sandro any more. He’d better not go back on his word. CL looks up from his stupor. That got his attention.

Nidia and Anga have a lovely mini-reunion with the machine cords well out of her reach. Anga chuckles that it seems like a dream to have her there, without the need for rushing out or worrying. Nidia gives him a lovely big smile. That’s over. Anga tells her that no matter what happens the next day, he’s a peace with his life and at the end of the story, she’s by his side, and in spite of everything, she chose him. They both sniffle. Nidia tells him he’s wrong and he looks up, startled. She works to convince him they’ll be together a long time—it’s not the end of the story, it’s the beginning. They’ll grow old together! (envejecer) Will you look at that? It doesn’t even make me afraid to say it! I know you’re going to be here with me, looking at me like you did when we were kids. Anga tells Nidia he loves her so much. She tells Anga she loves him, too, and kisses him. Without disconnecting anything. He tries to talk about tomorrow, what if not…..Nidia puts on a brave smile and tells him through her tears that tomorrow when he’s come through the operation successfully, they’ll have a couple of little shots of tequila to celebrate like crazy folks because everything is going to come out well. He nods with a hopeful smile on his face and misty eyes.

Morning has arrived and the hospital hall outside Angarita’s room is filled with loved ones he never had before this last year—Pastor, Nidia, Yadira, Juan, and Marely. Juan leans on Marely’s shoulder and wants to know how the sick guy (patient) was when he woke this morning. He’s good, Nidia tells Juan. They’re prepping him for the O.R. (quirófano, from our list months ago when CL was going in for his little procedure). Juan wants to go in, but Kike and Remolacho are in there.

The monitor beeps, the nurse moves around, and Angarita groans. Kike moves in humbly to ask Anga’s pardon for thinking the worst. He acknowledges he was plenty ugly with Don Angarita. Anga scoffs gently; Kike had his reasons, Anga tells him. Kike says he shouldn’t have judged him so harshly, Anga didn’t deserve that. Anga asks him to return to the central market—he doesn’t want to run the shop without Kike. Kike is shyly proud as he tells Anga he’s starting his own transport business and hopes Anga will be one of his first customers. Anga’s wit is intact—he asks for a big discount on Kike’s services. Remo exults that Angarita is about to go under the knife and he’s still making jokes. Kike gives Remo the stink eye for being such a tonto. But, they all smile. The nurse asks their pardon—it’s time. The guys with the gurney come in and she tells Anga they’re going to transfer him to the gurney (camilla, stretcher).

Out in the hall, the crowd continues to gather and chat. Paula has come and Fern and Ivonne hover down the hall a bit, waiting, also. ATTENTION, GENTLE READERS!!!! For the first time in history, Paula is wearing a TOTALLY appropriate business pantsuit, in a lovely ivory color, with a red cami that gives her FULL coverage!!!!! Someone sound a trumpet! [Ed. Note: This is the Second Good Thing on Friday the 13th.] I’d hire this professional! She greets them and glances briefly at Juan, whose arm is completely around Marely from behind her. She, too, asks to see Anga and Pastor tells her they’re about to take him to the O. R. On cue, the nurse opens the door and out comes Anga on the gurney. Pastor pats Anga and tells him “it’s going to be okay, brother.” Yadi jumps in next, and then Marely and all the rest, giving him words of encouragement and comfort. Kike and Remo follow the gurney out and throw their words in. Nidia adds her thoughts for Anga, and Juan takes his turn, then Paula. Anga simply glows at all the positive energy coming his way. This, from the old cynic! He tells Paula thanks for coming, too. As he’s wheeled down the hall, Ivonne tells Anga they’ll be waiting right there for him, and Fern adds his words. The crowd draws in together, united in the cause of supporting Angarita. Yadira notices Kike and wonders qué the heck he’s done with the baby if he’s there and so is everyone else. Well, he’s left the baby with Julia and Yadi has a mini-meltdown. She doesn’t like it one little bit. So much for her sad and mellow mood. She calls him an idiot and inconsiderate. He yells back that she shouldn’t be talking to him in that tone. Nidia pulls the boxers apart and sends them back to their corners. She tells them to knock it off, there are sick folks here. Kike says the sick one is this one (Yadi). The fight begins again….this time, it takes Nidia and Remo both to get them separated. [Ed. Note: Even Yadira has a Totally Tasteful and Unrevealing top on today. Imagine this! Both of them at the same time! Now that I’m thinking about it, Ivonne is pretty restrained as well.] Nidia scolds Yadi—is she a blockhead or what? This is no way to try to get her hubby back. Yadi fumes and ignores Mami’s wise words. Nidia tries to get her to breathe in, breathe out.

Yadi stalks off while the other half-sisters come to the fore. Guess who came to see me, Marely asks Paula. I don’t know, who? Sandro. He offered me a position in the VP Administrative area, with him. How nice for you, Paula remarks. What does Juan think? Well, he wants me to work in the President’s office, and you’re a partner, so you have to agree, right? Marely watches Paula’s face hopefully for her reaction. Paula hedges…no, I’ve told you you’re welcome, wherever you choose to work, it’s fine with me. Marely comments that it might not be healthy to work with the boyfriend. Paula tells her that it depends on how you manage the situation. Juan watches Paula’s face from behind Marely and Paula makes eye contact nervously with him. She thinks it won’t be a problem for Marely. Juan thought bubbles about his Palomita and his little rose garden are talking like the two friends they are, sisters, even. He edges toward Kike and Remo, both leaning on the nurses’ station. Juan continues thought bubbling—there they are—my future and my past. Paula keeps a wary eye on Juan while Marely is oblivious to the unspoken interaction.

Kike notices Juan and sends Remolacho off for a drink of water—whether he wants it or not. Kike whispers to Juan. What happened with Hallary? Hillary, Juan patiently responds. Well, did you resolve it? Yeah, they almost strangled me and beat me to death, but it’s resolved. Wow, it was that ugly? No, it wasn’t the princess, it was her Pop. She’s mannerly and knows how to conclude a relationship. The father, though, wanted me dead. Juan makes the cut-throat gesture. Kike is impactado. Paula comes over; she wants a piece of Juan. ;-) He tells her if it’s what he’s thinking, it got resolved the night before with Hillary. Paula confronts him—you sure? Or is this another of your lies? Juan is incensed. He hands her the cell phone and tells her to feel free to call Hillary. Paula retorts that it’s not necessary –for now-as Marely hovers behind, looking wary and concerned.

Nidia sees Marely’s expression and grabs her by the elbow to zoom her away from the interaction. “Despabílate, mamita.” Buck up! Marely doesn’t look too bucked up. Nidia reminds her she’s the girlfriend, and has the rights and privileges. Marely frowns yet again. My counsels tell me that when it feels so bad, it isn’t love. What do YOU think, gentle readers?

The doctora, dressed in Very Blue operating clothes, strides into the nurses’ station area where they’re all waiting. They all wait while she spits it out—the operation was a total success. [Ed. Note: This is the Third Good Thing on Friday the 13th.] He’s stable though fragile. He’ll be transferred to his room soon. Nidia hugs the doc, then Pastor. He needs rest; once he’s transferred we’ll let you all know when he can have visitors. Pastor follows the doctora as she goes to the nurses station. No one except Yadi notices since they’re all busy rejoicing. Yadi scoots up to them. Pastor asks about the DNA test. The doc tells him that they need to see her in her office in a few minutes and goes off. Pastor tells Yadi they need to invent something so as to not raise suspicions. So, they do implement their grand escape plan—Yadi loudly announces she’s off to the bathroom and rushes away-- and Pastor chimes in that he’ll go with her and trots off on her heels. Looks are exchanged all around.

The envelope, please. Yadira and Pastor mentally debate who will take it out of the doc’s hand and open it. Yadi decides it’s her and joyfully grabs it. Pastor agrees it should be hers. Yadi opens and reads it. Pastor sits, frozen in his seat and unable to look up. It says….positive. ?? The doc explains this means beyond the shadow of a doubt that she is the daughter of Mr. Angarita Calvo. Yadi is commercial impactada. [Ed. Note: This is the Fourth Good Thing on Friday the 13th, depending on your perspective.]

Delirio strides through the Farell lobby for the first time in ages. He notes that Rosi is hard at work reading a magazine. He hates to interrupt….Rosi gives him the stink eye but slaps the magazine shut. [Ed. Note: Now that Rosi has a real desk, the lobby lizards don’t hang so much. They just walk back and forth through the lobby.] Delirio wants to see Juan, who is surely right there in his office. Nope, he’s not there. What? Delirio will wait right here in the lobby. Well, he’ll be a while because he’s at the hospital for the operation of Don Angarita Calvo. Delirio mutters that Angarita Calvo should eat s*** and die. [Ed. Note: Okay, I took liberties with that translation.] Rosi is impactada at the venom.

Yadi, whose earrings should be dragging her lobes to the ground, stands at the nurses’ station with Pastor, in awe that she’s actually a Calvo. What did he tell her, he responds. Despite looking like a Cachón. Like her Papa, Yadi remarks—well, the one she thought was her father. Really, she has nothing of him. Yadi babbles on about this new info—she’s more like her mother, but Marely is more like her father. Now, Yadi understand so many things. She bites her finger, deep in thought. Pastor looks like the indulgent and proud uncle he now is, and chimes in that he doesn’t understand anything now.

The rest of Don Anga’s supporters are still in the waiting area. Paula is the first one to decide she needs to go and tells Nidia goodbye. She asks for them to tell Pastor goodbye for her. Nidia tells her goodbye; Nidia is staying with the young lovebirds while Anga gets out of the recovery room. She smiles widely at Paula. Juan and Marely watch, standing close enough that Juan’s arm is around Marely -- again. Paula almost makes it out when S2 shows up a day late and dollar short. He wanted to come personally to see how it went for Pastor’s brother. Paula tells him it went well and Anga’s in recovery. S2 is so pleased to hear it. Juan thought bubbles—chinches bravas! He mutters to himself about S2 showing up late and his Palomita’s reaction. [Ed. Note: Jealously doesn’t become you, Juan, when we’re talking about the one who is NOT your fiancée.] Juan turns to Marely and tells her they need to be going to the office to see where she’s going to work, and gives her a little kiss on her head. Marely smiles shyly. Paula uncomfortably occupies herself with “Sandro.” Marely, Nidia and Juan say their farewells. Juan wants Nidia to let them know if there’s anything that comes up. He hustles Marely off, leaving Paula with S2. Paula makes a gesture to S2 and charges off after them, leaving him with Nidia, Kike, Ivonne and Fern. Kike says his farewells, looking at his watch. He’s going after the baby and gives Nidia a message for Yadi that he’ll be at the house with the baby later. They exchange kisses and he goes. S2 comes to say goodbye to Nidia, who suddenly gets a sense that something’s not right and gets a strange look. Ivonne and Fern look uncomfortable about S2 as well.

Juanito comes out of the school to find Flor. Flor wants to know what they called for him. Juanito tells her that they called him because his father wanted him have the message that Don Angarita’s operation went well. Flor thinks that’s great (suave, from my Mexican slang dictionary). She knows that Jito was way worried about it. Jito tells her that he liked Anga when Anga came to Achichipico, and he wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to Anga. Flor tells Juanito that when he told her, she let her mother know so she could light a candle for Anga to get better. Juanito thanks her and kisses her on the cheek, pleasing Flor.

Marely, S2 , Paula and Juan hold a pow-wow in Juan’s office to seal Marely’s fate at work. Paula’s got Juan’s chair, which leaves Juan standing. S2 thinks they should put Marely into his area; he thinks her skills would be put to the best use there. Paula politely disagrees—a manager’s post in the office of accountability would be much more appropriate. Juan chimes in, and the bottom line for him is that Marely’s happy with the assignment. They all sound good to her, and she likes working with numbers. Juan’s got the best idea of all—why not make her the Vice President for Finance? How does that sound? S2 rolls his eyes. Marely protests mildly. Great, hearing no opposing votes, Juan’s appointing her the VP for finance. Marely is muy pleased-impactada. Even Paula smiles in the most sincere possible way. [Ed. Note: Is this the Fifth Good Thing on Friday the 13th?]

Yadi has come to share the good news with Anga. You said you would have liked it if I were your daughter, right? She starts hesitantly. He gets misty. More than anything in the world. But you were right in lots of those things you said to me. I had such fantasies that I invented the story and fell for it myself. He looks hopeful that she won’t reject him again. Yadi looks a little sheepish and sad. Well, it’s about that she’s come to talk. He assures her that even if she isn’t his daughter, he’ll always look on her as that—the daughter he would have loved to have, but never had. Yes, you had her, Yadi tells him. What are you saying? Yadi explains that she donated the blood he needed, and oh, by the way, I had a DNA test performed. I’m your daughter. Anga is delighted-excited impactado. [Ed. Note: This is the Final Good Thing for this Friday the 13th.]

Pastor shares breakfast with Nidia. He needs to tell her something. What? Don’t tell me you’re not going to eat with me? No, it’s not that. I want to thank you for what you’ve done for my brother. Really, I didn’t expect it and now we feel like family. He beams at her and Nidia is equally pleased. How tender! You’re like my….brother-in-law! Well, he tells her, it would be even better if you see me as the uncle of your daughter Yadira. Nidia puts her fork down and stares at him, impactidíssima. And why that? Pastor spits the news right out. The doc did a DNA test to see if his brother is indeed Yadira’s father. Guess what? He is this girl’s real father! Nidia is beyond impactidíssima. And, we knew this, but they remind us that any similarity to reality is purely coincidental.

Vocabulary:

Escopete - shotgun
Champion of justice - paladín de justicia
He had guts - tuvo pantaloncitos—he was wearing pants, and the “-cito” is a contradiction in terms, because it literally means little or short pants but is used to suggest very big pants
Me calaron - Lowered me a bit, brought me down a peg
Bajito - softly
Le dio cuello – given the boot (given the collar, my best guess)
Arrejuntarse - shack up
En un dos por tres - in no time
Mosquearme la sopa/mosquearme – get ticked off, p.o.’d at something (and sometimes way stronger translations)
Carga de encima—Albatross around the neck, burden hanging over her
Envejecer – grow old
Camilla – gurney, stretcher
Despabílate – buck up, wake up, and several other definitions

Jeanne

Labels: Juan

Yadi concludes her fight with Nidia by telling Nidia to watch her granddaughter, she (Yadi) is going to say goodbye to dead Angarita, it's the least he deserves!

Kike sadly tells Delirio the bad news, Anga had a heart attack and is caput! Delirio claps his hands and says he feels like buying flowers. I think according to telenovela morality he has just reserved himself a jail cell.

Paula tells S2 that Anga died. S2 says (in front of Paula) that he wants to call Poor Pastor to console him. He is irritated to learn that Juan is already with Pastor. Bested once again by the chauffeur.

S2 bugs Paula AGAIN about their 'relationship'. Can't they just leave the door open? No, she insists, the door is permanently closed and so is this subject! "You're not leaving me," he mutters...after she leaves.

Juan tells Anga that Nidia accidentally unplugged his monitor with her purse and poor Gaytan nearly had his own heart attack. Anga is depressed, he says he should have died, what good is life when you don't have anyone to share it with? Juan tries to cheer Anga up but his weird antics annoy Anga. Juan thought bubbles that he'll not throw in the towel, no señor, Juan Dominguez doesn't abandon his friends. Anga looks pained.

La Doctora tells Pastor that Anga is OK but his condition is delicate. (No kidding sister, you broke his rib and almost killed him!) She says they should operate but unfortunately he has Very Rare Blood, B negative. Poor Pastor is sad because he doesn't have that blood type. He'll help find a donor because time is of the essence. (Oh my, I wonder where in the world he might find somebody with that Very Rare Blood type?)

S2 calls Pastor to offer his condolences and is impactado to hear that Anga is alive. S2 tells Paula and tries to brown nose her by saying he offered moral support to Pastor on behalf of the company.

Delirio visits Nidia in her room and pretends to console her. She calls him a hypocrite because he's skipping on one foot (jumping for joy). He tries to argue, saying she's crying for her LOVER, but she insists Anga was only her friend. She demands that he leave her alone with her pain. He tries the "we still have each other" ploy which only succeeds in making her look really irritated and fed up.

Marely comforts Nidia. The dramatic music begins and Nidia says Marely should know that Anga believed Yadi is his daughter.

At the hospital, Yadi runs to Pastor and sobs her eyes out, but not her makeup off. She must use industrial strength eyeliner. Pastor tells her they are the only ones who can keep Anga from deteriorating. "Que?!? Aren't there professionals for that?" she asks, "forensics or morticians or something? Why us?" Pastor figures out what's up with her and asks didn't Juan tell her? Anga is alive! She skips on one foot.

Uh oh, Hillary shows up at Farell looking for Juan. Rosi announces her to Paula who sarcastically says she'll see Señorita Paaahreees. Hillary greets Paula graciously as usual. Paula might have gone to college but she sure never went to charm school.

Anga is thrilled to see Yadi. She kisses his hand and says nothing would make her happier than to be his daughter, she should never have thought badly of him. He tells her she's eased his conscience and she cries until the nurse kicks her out.

Hillary wastes her breath by complimenting Paula. Paula smugly announces that Juan is out. Hillary reveals that she'll see Juan that night at the dinner to celebrate their engagement. Paula is muy, pero muy impactada.

Hillary fills Paula in on her relationship with Juan, he's so great, not a money grubber, simple, genuine, not plastic like so many others, at his side she feels like the most fortunate woman in the world. Pauls smugly agrees, of course! Hillary, always the lady (though a little tiresome in her accolades of Juan), leaves after thanking Paula warmly. Paula spits fire, "She thinks she's his girlfriend...he's an imbecile!!"

Back at the hospital Pastor and La Doctora walk down the hall discussing Anga's Rare Blood Type. Gosh, who should run into them but Yadi. Guess what? She's blood type B negative! Pastor thanks God and gives her a funny look, doesn't she think this is too much of a coincidence? She tells him she's given blood many times and so far the recipient has not been a parent, so no.

CL goes home enraged and pours himself a drink. He yells to Sandro that he doesn't want to spend another second in the same office where all his plans were destroyed due to the stupidity of a woman in love with that boor!

Paula tells Ivonne that Juan hasn't changed, he's betraying Marely with "that woman". Ivonne says that men are all cut from the same cloth. Paula bitches some more and Ivonne points out that Paula seems to be eaten up by jealousy and anger herself.

Rosi calls Paula's office and tells Ivonne that Juan just arrived. Ivonne and Paula are beside themselves, and I gotta say there is a veritable plethora of bosoms heaving in anger in this office. Ivonne makes horn signs and says on behalf of all women she should say something. No no no, insists Paula, Juan must be put in his place and she wants to do it!

Juan finally calls Marely and shares the good news that Anga is alive.

Ivonne reports to Juan and tells him there is a message from Hillary Paris. He is supposed to go to her place for dinner tonight. He pauses for half a second then gives her a work assignment, make a list of all the employees and find out their blood type. It's for Don Angarita and hurry up!

Nidia is STILL crying in her room. Marely runs in with great news, Anga is alive! Nidia asks if Marely is telling her this because she (Nidia) lies in suicide's arms? She saw him die, what happened? Marely tells her and we get another flashback of Nidia's offending purse. Nidia becomes happily hysterical and spins in circles.

Juan summons Fer to help out with finding a donor. Fer thinks his blood type is A. Juan tells him it's close to the bullet, but no. (Cerca de la bala, maybe means "close but no cigar"?)

Paula arrives and wants to talk to Juan. He looks at her stupidly and happily, she heard the good news, eh? Paula gets to the point, Hillary Paris stopped by and they had a good long chat. Juan gulps and thought bubbles that he wishes the earth would swallow him up. Paula's claws come out and she attacks...Heeeelary told her that SHE is Juan's official girlfriend! Paula calls him a cynic, how could he go with Hillary and Marely at the same time?

Pastor calls Nidia to tell her about Anga's operation. She excitedly says she's on her way down to give blood. Pastor reveals that Anga has a Very Rare Blood type and it turns out Yadi has the same. Nidia is muy impactada.

Juan tries to explain his predicament to Paula, that Hillary assumed they were novios and he couldn't tell her the truth in the middle of the meal and in front of everyone, and anyway he thought Marely was in Spain. He promises he will clear things up with Hillary that very night. Paula tells him he'd better because when he chose one novia he lost his chance with all the others, got it? Juan thought bubbles, "Check out how this one on sandals comes to click her heels at me!" (Meaning she's accusing me of the same thing she did to me. This is from our vocab list, hoorah!) He brushes under his chin and exclaims "Gorgeous!"

Gutis busts his way in to Casa Cachón and demands to speak with Delirio. He yells that his clients deposited much more money into the accounts than Delirio said! Delirio sheperds Gutis into the den under Nidia's spying eye. Delirio swears it must have been a bank error. He and Gutis argue over honor among thieves while Nidia's ear is glued to the door. Delirio finally admits he took a little but it was only for his commission. Gutis demands that it all get returned immediately or Delirio will never survive the wrath of Paula Davila when she finds out that Gutis and Delirio falsified Samuel Cachon's will. Nidia shakes her head and clenches her fist.

Pastor asks La Doctora to run a DNA test to see if Anga and Yadi are related.

Gutis loudly threatens Delirio that Nidia will find out Delirio never sacrificed anything for her, that he never spent time in jail for her. Delirio had better deposit the money back into the bank or else! Nidia scurries around the corner as Gutis blasts through the door. She faces Delirio and accuses, "You never went to jail for me?!?"

Ivonne asks Paula, is she making Juan toe the line on behalf of Marely or for herself?

Nidia calls Delirio all sorts of nasty names. He begs to talk but she interrupts with a whole new barrage of insults. He wheedles, she rolls up a paper and starts whacking him like he's a naughty dog, which of course he is. She insists she'll not spend another moment next to him. She tells him "This little flower bud (insert chomi chomi wiggle) just bloomed and is off to check her mail!" The despondent violins play in Delirio's head.

Marely finds Nidia packing and says she thought Nidia went to the hospital. Nidia tells her she's packing to go be with the man she loves. Marely reminds mama she's married. This sets Nidia off, Delirio never did anything for her except ruin her life! "This marriage is over!!"

Juan goes to Frankenstein's Castle where Hillary greets him with hugs and kisses, she's missed him so much. He tells her he has something important to say. He thought bubbles a quick prayer and tells her how horrible he is, all sorts of bad adjectives, plus he's a liar. "Are you breaking up with me?" she asks. "Sí."

Delirio goes to Nidia's room and has the nerve to ask where she's going. She answers that she's going...to her LOVER!! Marely's jaw drops (she's laying on the bed watching). Nidia shouts "My lover!" to the rooftops. Delirio gets on his knees then grabs her ankles, please stay! She steps on him, rolls her suitcase over his body, and exits.

Juan tries to break up with Hillary but suddenly Papa Plutarco Paris looms up, hears what's going on, and begins to breathe fire.

Delirio admits to Marely that all his sacrifices were a lie to retain Nidia. Marely tells him he's fooling himself, Nidia never loved him. She tells him to stop being pathetic and have some dignity.

Oh dear, back at the castle Papa Paris has Juan pinned on the ground and is strangling him. Papa is redder than a beet and looks like he's about to have his own heart attack. The butler pokes Papa ineffectually while Hillary begs him to stop, he's killing Juan. That's what he wants, he yells! Juan, getting blue in the face, gasps that he...can't...breathe...and any similarity to reality is purely coincidental.



Brincar en una pata = Jump for joy (Lit. skip on one foot)
Cerca de la bala pero no = Close but no cigar (Lit. close to the bullet but no)
Chulada! = Gorgeous!
Gañán = Boor, lout
Trágame tierra! = I wish the earth would swallow me up! (Lit. Swallow me, earth.)

Labels: Juan