Caray, Caray!

EPISODE #141 (mexico #146) - Sept. 9, 2009:
* Jacinto and Margarita are having a delicious enchilada dinner and talk. A cat meows outside - apparently it's from another farm because both Jacinto and Margarita know it from its purr. Jacinto walks over to the sofa and takes out a present. He gives it to Margie. She's stunned by the surprise - it isn't her birthday. He says it isn't for her - just open it. She does. It's a wooden baby rattle. He thinks it's time for the stork to visit them. She thinks so also. They are so happy. He doesn't care if it's a boy or a girl, only that it doesn't have the character of Margie's grandfather. They laugh and hug.

* Franco and Erika have dinner and discuss Fer and Miguel's friendship in Spain, her love for Eduardo, and that Erika knows that Fer's family will never permit her to marry Eduardo, a servant's son.

* Jacinto goes to check on the cat outside. Margie sits and plays with the rattle.

* Barb sits in the home office and mutters to herself about how to convince Aurora to trust her and go away with her - far away from Gonzo and Artemio. Tomasa enters the office and tells Barbie that the police commissioner is there to speak with Gonzo. Barbie will meet with him. Commissioner enters the office - he's reporting about the investigation into Macario (apparently they found his body).

* Fer is intently reading Ana Gregoria's diary in her bedroom. She's at the part where Ana Gregoria describes Gonzo's first communion party and that Soledad (i think) goes to tell Geronimo that Ana Gregoria is in the wood waiting to see him. He looks around and sneaks away. In the woods near the large tree, Geronimo is surprised to see her there and tells her to leave before his wife finds out. Ana Gregoria tells Geronimo that she's very sick and desperate in need of money; she needs him to take care of her baby. She shows him the birth certificate with Artemio's name and her's and that the father's name isn't mentioned. Geronimo isn't interested in the birth certificate or helping with the baby. He throws the paper to the ground; hands her some coins and tells her to vacate the premises immediately. She hysterically cries as she walks away. He looks around and goes back to the party. Fer closes the diary and thought bubbles to self.

* Commissioner shows Barbie the identification that they found out Macario's body. Barbie acts shaken and stirred and cries in empathy. She says that the Elizalde's will handle all the funeral arrangements for the long-time dear employee. The commissioner says that the police are still conducting the autopsy to determine cause of death for Macario. Barbie is stunned and hopes that it will be resolved very quickly (she doesn't want a long drawn out investigation).

* Tomasa goes to Priscilla's room and sees Priscilla hasn't touched the food or drink on the tray. Priscilla isn't hungry. Tomasa talks her into at least drinking some milk for the baby. Priscilla tells her to leave the tray. Tomasa leaves the room. Priscilla thought bubbles and mumbles about her husband vs. Vladimir (does she say something and side with Vladi or does she do nothing and be an accessory to murder).

* Commissioner leaves. Barbie calls Tomasa over and tells her to keep the commissioner's visit to the hacienda a secret from everyone. Tomasa obeys.

* At the house, Erika leads Franco into the sitting room. She pounces on top of him on the sofa - he's very uncomfortable. She offers to fix him a cognac or something. He refuses. He stands and walks to the other side of the room. Erika starts to try and seduce him. He's really uncomfortable. He's saved by the phone ring - it's Margie telling him that Jacinto has been in an accident and he should come to the hospital ASAP. Franco tells Erika that his friend is in the hospital and he has to leave. Erika is adamant and tries everything she can to convince him to stay with her tonight. Franco is frustrated and tells her that he needs to leave - Jacinto is his friend like Miguel is yours. He leaves. Erika grunts with disappointment.

* Fer talks with Santi on the phone about her visit with Aurora. She tells Santi that Barbie set the whole thing up with Aurora. This gets Santi really shaken and angry - so angry that he splashes and scrubs red paint on his art canvas. He mumbles, grumbles and grunts his disgust over Barbie to Fer. He hangs up. Fer mumbles to herself about the rest of the truth about Aurora and the baby and his brother Camilo, and also how to tell daddy without jeopardizing his health.

* At the hospital, Margie cries on Eduardo's shoulder about Jacinto giving her the baby rattle, and then Jacinto going outside, climbed the tree to rescue the cat and fell out. She's so worried about him - if he has a concussion - what would she do without Jacinto in her life. Eduardo consoles her. Dr. Carlos walks out to the hallway. Margie and Franco both ask him how Jacinto is?

* Martina and Steve are frustrated as they confront Venus about her plans for Camilo and the engagement party. Venus won't
reveal what deviousness she has planned.

* Dr. Carlos tells them there's no concussion but they are still cautious about Jacinto's injuries and takes them into Jacinto's room.

* Steve is really frustrated by Venus not telling him any of her plans. He mumbles about going to the office to send some emails back home to New York. He leaves. Venus and Martina argue about Venus' vagueness with Steve and her attitude. Venus loves Steve but won't tell him because she thinks he's not interested in dating or loving her at all.

* Steve taps out on his laptop an email that he will conclude his report when he arrives back home in New York.

* Dr. Carlos gives Franco and Margie the diagnosis and treatment for Jacinto - he has a few broken ribs and some contusions - they are relieved. Margie is still upset and Eduardo consoles and makes her laugh with the thought bubble about Jacinto's full recovery and going home and joking about Jacinto being the cat rescuer. Before Eduardo leaves, he tells Margie that he thinks of Jacinto as his brother.

* Jacomo and his associate Candido are in the car, waiting and spying on Vladimir's apartment building. Jacomo tells Candido they will plan to kidnap Vladimir that night.

* At the family dinner, Priscilla and Anibal inform Gonzo, Barbie and Fer that they will name their child Anibal after the baby's father. Barbie makes her excuse to leave - she has a massage appointment and has other things to do before Camilo's engagement party. Anibal comments that he wouldn't miss his brother's party for the world and smiles. Gonzo wants to go with her. Barbie tells him that's not necessary. She leaves. Fer thought bubbles to herself that Barbie is lying; she is really planning on visiting Aurora at the convent.

* Eduardo and Margie bring Jacinto back home. Jacinto grunts, grimaces and grumbles as they help him into the bed. Jacinto is upset that Margie called Eduardo. Eduardo explains he wouldn't want to be anywhere else but there to help his brother when he needs him the most.

* Fer waits by the stairs as Barbie leaves and the door closes. She runs upstairs.

* Margie excuses herself to go to the market. Jacinto complains. Eduardo sits on the bed and promises not to leave his side. Jacinto tells Margie don't be gone to long. Margie leaves.

* Fer calls the convent and advises Aurora about Barbie's visit today.

* Eduardo reads Don Quixote story in the paper. Jacinto falls fast asleep.

* Eduardo moves out to the dining table, sits and pours himself a glass of water. He starts to read the paper again as Gardenia enters. She gazes at him with a goofy grin on her face.

* Fer continues reading the diary. This time she at the end when Ana Gregoria is writing about her illness and her prayers for her baby boy. Flashback to Ana Gregoria laying on the street steps, sick and crying a prayer that God watch over her son. Fer closes the book and hugs it before setting it on her bedside table. Erika knocks and asks permission as she enters the room. Erika wants to invite Fer to coffee and to gossip with her about what's happening in their lives.

* Gardenia returns to Eduardo and says Jacinto is sleeping like a newborn baby. Eduardo says that's expected - he just got home from the hospital. Gardenia asks where's Margie? Eduardo says she had to go to the market. Gardenia then asks him a blunt question about his secretive meetings with Fer in her office. He's stunned.

* At the end of the jai lai game, Vladimir answers his cell phone. He's delighted that Priscilla is calling him. She wants to tell him something - he only wants to see her. She's worried about Anibal. He's not worried; he knows the plan is to get the DNA test and to announce to the world that he is really the father, not Anibal. Priscilla says that's why she's worried - she knows Anibal way too well and thinks he may try something. Vladimir is confident about their plan and his moving them to Monterrey to live. She wants him to leave town now. Vladimir tries to calm her. She's still worried.

* Eduardo and Gardenia argue about his wedding to Erika; and all his secret meetings with Fer. He has to explain that they had to meet secretly to figure out how to get Lili away from her kidnapper and not jeopardize Lili's life in the process. That's all. She then asked him if he was in love with Fer, to which he replied "no", leading her to believe maybe she still has a chance with him. He is flustered.

* Erika and Fer discuss her work with Franco. Erika dreams about her fiance and then tells Fer that she wants Fer to join them for a weekend bachelor/bachelorette party at her aunt and uncle's ranch - just the four of them (Fer, Erika, Franco and Miguel). (For those wondering, the actor playing Miguel is Rafael Novoa, who played Eduardo in the Columbian version of this telenovela, called Pura Sangre). Fer is intrigued.

* Eduardo has to explain again to Gardenia that he thinks of her as his little sister and that's all. Gardenia cries and tells Eduardo that her feelings for him are much more than that - she wants to love and care for him like Jacinto and Margie do for each other. Eduardo is really frustrated. Jacinto wakes up with all the shouting from Gardenia as she makes her argument to be with Eduardo. Eduardo tells her NO!! Gardenia wonders if he loves Erika? Eduardo says Yes, he does. Gardenia doesn't believe him.

* Barbie waits outside the convent.

* In the office, MS, Sister Fidelia and Aurora talk. Aurora agrees to meet with Barbie. MS tells Fidelia to take Barbie to Aurora's room. Alone in the office, MS tells Aurora that after talking with Fer, she suspects that Barbie is behind all the evilness done to Aurora at the hacienda. Aurora knows that Fer suspects Barbie for the same reasons. Aurora then tells MS that Barbie ordered the fake italian guy to take her from the convent and meet with Barbie in another location. MS reminds Aurora that she doesn't have to hide the truth from her - she's always on her side.

* Erika and Fer laugh about Fer's old friendship with Miguel. Fer thinks it was just a teenage friendship. Erika tries to play matchmaker and convince Fer to come to the ranch and meet Miguel again. Fer pauses and tries to come up with excuse to refuse to go. Erika is adamant about Fer accepting the invitation - she mentions Damian - Fer says that's officially over - Erika wonders if Fer now has a secret boyfriend.

ADVANCE: Exploding bombshells at Camilo and Lovely's engagement party!

Labels: manana

-Helen Rowland (lucky Erika, then, it's like she's already married to him)

Bienvenidos al recap of Colunga's Jaw es Para Siempre. Let's see how many more unpleasant surprises are in store for Fernanda this evening.

Franco begs Lili to reconsider taking this trip, and if she does go, he wants her not to leave without saying goodbye. They're both choked up. Franco says she's the most screwed-over person he knows and also the best person. Even Ciro's crying.

Barbie has to cover for her unhappiness over Artemio's plan. She says she wants whatever he wants. She does, however want to know what he's going to do with all the money. He says that's on a need to know basis, but he does plan to read Gonzalo the diary. Well, that's going to be a little difficult. Franco comes back into the office. Barbie says she's got to go, Artie invites Franco to have a seat. Artemio wants to know how Lili's doing. Franco says she seems calm. Artie finds it funny that Lili trusts him. Really, really funny.

Fer tells Aurora that she wants her out of there, especially because she's the best person to find out what Barbie wants with her. And also, she doesn't want Aurora to give Damian any information. Aurora trusts her and says she has since the day they met. The Mother Superior knocks on the door, interrupting the pajama party, and is introduced to Fernanda.

Franco and Barbie leave Artemio's office.

Erika cries over Fernanda's betrayal. I mean, screw Franco--Fer is her BFF. She screams at the picture that being separated from Damian doesn't give Fer the right to steal Erika's future husband. "No se vale" (that's just not done; you don't do that; that's not cricket). Erika weeps piteously.

Fer and the Madre (con) Superior(es facultades mentales que la mayoría de los personajes de este novela*) go back to MS's office. They talk about how/why they kept missing each other. MS says she's realized that Fer is the person Aurora trusts most. Fer is worried about all the different people threatening Aurora.

Venus is pissy with Esteve. She says "isn't this what you wanted?" and says they're going to get it, but HER way. She won't tell him what's going to happen at the party, so if he and Franco want to know, then they'll have to show up. Esteve says he won't insist, he just wants to ask her something on Franco's behalf, since he knows she wants nothing to do with him (Esteve) anymore. Esteve tells her to remember that innocent people are going to be harmed by what she's planning--people like Franco and Esteve, and even Venus herself. That's all he wants from her is to think about that. Venus looks upset and walks out.

Martina walks into Las Animas with the party invitations. Venus pulls one out of the envelope and reads it to Martina. "Lovely Norton y Camilo Elizalde Rivera tienen el honor de invitar a usted y a su apreciable familia a la recepción que se dará con motivo del anuncio de su compromiso matrimonial." A little wordy for my taste, but that's formal invitations for you. It reads: "Lovely Norton and Camilo Elizalde (whose mother's maiden name was Rivera) have the honor of inviting you and your dear family to the reception that will be given for the reason of announcing their wedding engagement." And, seriously, once you've sent invitations saying you're going to be announcing something, then why should people bother showing up? They already read it on the invitation. It's like a rerun. Well, a rerun with an open bar. Venus announces that this particular invitation is going to "la Natacha esa" (that Natacha). Venus is going to get someone (not sure who) to give her Natacha's address by pretending to be a secretary calling from Grupo Lactos. Martina really wants her to cool it, but Venus has had enough of being treated like a washer or a blender-- "something you just turn on and off." To her, that's how Esteve is treating her…he hired her, gave her lessons, she learned it all, then he wants to call the whole thing off. Martina says "donde manda el capitán no gobierno el marinero" which means "Donnie Amanda is the captain not the governor of marinara." No, wait, that's not it…"Where a captain leads, the sailor doesn't ." Or "What the boss says, goes." There's a similar saying on the sidebar (let's see who finds it!). Venus says "yo no me bajo de mi macho!" Meaning she's going to ride that macho man until…oh, no, wait. What is wrong with me tonight! This is a reference to a "macho" being a male animal that one would mount or ride…no, not like that…more like a "high horse"…so Venus is saying that she refuses to stop throwing her tantrum. Martina reminds her that people are going to get hurt, blah, blah, blah. Venus says that's tough because they were planning to tell everyone she was the town ho when it was all over, so what does she care about outing them.

Fer tells the Madre Superior she just found out the truth about what happened with Aurora (that Camilo drugged her and raped her…maybe, I'm still on the fence about whether he actually did the deed). Fer supposes Camilo had some help and she thinks that person not only helped him, but…this is the fault of a terrible woman, her stepmother. The Madre Superior covers her mouth, but come on, she was already thinking it days ago.

Franco fills Barbie in on Artemio's travel plans, but she doubts the reliability of his source, continuing to think that Lili is crazy.

Lili scarfs down her dinner salad and swears (kind of--since she didn't actually say "I swear," just waved her hand in his general direction) to Artemio that she didn't say anything to anyone. Because otherwise she won't get to see the pyramids. Artemio praises her for being intelligent. Sucka!

Barbie thinks its weird that Lili would give Franco this information, but he tells her that's what happens when he flexes his magical jaw muscles and lets glycerine tears of pure dolor roll down his cheeks. Mhm. Ladies Love Cool Franco. Barbie still thinks it's weird. Franco says maybe he reminds her of someone. Barbie still thinks maybe it's a fantasy of Lili's. Franco says if she disappears, their deal is off. He's not going to spare any expense to make sure the Elizaldes get back what's theirs and he'll make sure they know everything she's been responsible for (well, not the old guy down the hill, cause he doesn't know about that). Barbie looks uncomfortable. As she should. Here Artemio's made her bang the old guy for 15 years, bump people off, and wear way too much eye makeup. Now he wants her to hand over all the money and he says she can have Lili, but may actually be planning to take her away. So what's she left with? Well, nothing, as far as Artemio knows. I'm pretty sure nobody from Lactos is going to write her a reference.

Venus is telling someone that it's important to Camilo that this person be at "the meeting". It turns out to be Natacha. Esteve comes in after she gets off the phone. Venus shows him the invitations. He wants to ask her another questions. She reminds him that he and Franco have nothing to worry about. She's not going to "hacer una fregadera" (meaning she's not going to screw them over). Esteve says that's not the question, but thanks for the info. So what's the question. His question is "When this is all over, what are you thinking of doing?" Venus says she's leaving. Why? Esteve says the day after the reception, he's going back home. Would one of you two grow a pair of something already! I'm not asking for a wordy declaration of love in iambic pentameter, I'm just saying…look, you're in a room with a bed, just somebody jump somebody else's bones already!

Franco and Fer run into each other in front of the elevators. She asks to see him in her office after she's heard that he was meeting with Barbie. Fer tells Flor to hold her calls and Gardenia overhears and gets pissy. Has her hair gotten darker? Gardenia assumes they're heading to her office to do it on the desk. Well, sure, just because that's what she would do. Flor tells her to get her mind out of the gutter, people think about other things than romance. Gardenia wonders what else they could be doing in there. Flor tells her to keep her big mouth shut, because she knows what kind of problems it could cause if people find out who he is. Gardenia snits that maybe Fer's already recognized his breath. Flor has had ENOUGH, and in a move I had to go back and watch a couple of times, smacks Gardenia clear across the mouth. Now that was satisfying. Gardenia tells Flor that if she's kept her mouth shut it was out of the kindness of her heart, but she threatens, for about the millionth time, that if they piss her off, so help her, she's going to spill all the frijoles and tell everyone that Franco is really Eduardo.

Fer cries in her office and then apologizes for crying. She tells Franco she's found out something that tops the list of crappy things she's found out about her family. She tells him about Aurora and that Camilo, with Barbie's help, drugged her and raped her. And also that Aurora's pregnant and Barbie's trying to get Aurora to go away with her. And also that somehow Damian is involved in all this. She needs a big hug from him. She begs him not to betray her…"not you, not you!" She does that hyperventilating cry and Franco shakes his head. Not sure how he's going to get himself out of this one.

Erika has decided, in a very Stepford way, that she's not going to cry. Not all is lost. She's going to fight for Franco's love and count on the fact that he's given his word as a gentleman. She'll get her strength from that. And if Fer wants a fight, she'll have it. The extreme closeup was creepy.

Fer whines that she's going to completely lose it if she can't count on anyone. She promises once they've got Lili back, she'll quit bothering him with her problems. Franco's phone rings and he ignores the call from Erika. Fer pretends to be ok and tells him to answer his phone, but Franco says they've got to find a solution. Fer is surprised at the way Barbie is tearing the family to pieces. She's worried Daddy's going to croak when he finds out what Camilo did. And she needs to tell Santi that Aurora is pregnant. Franco thinks they should wait it out until they find out what Damian and Barbie are up to with Aurora. Fer thinks they're trying to get rid of her so that Camilo's crime will go unpunished. Yeah, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of destroying the whole family? Franco thinks she's right, though, but he also thinks Aurora's safe with the nuns. Fer wants to tell Damian she knows all, but Franco tells her not to. He doesn't want to upset Barbie. He tells her that Artemio is thinking of taking Lili out of the country. Franco tells her they're counting on Barbie to keep that from happening. Fer wonders why this is all happening. In reply, Franco pulls out Ana Gregoria's diary.

At the generic bar/restaurant, Damian and Vlad drink to having DNA results soon. Damian has the receipt for the results, which he won't hand over. He says Cousin Jacobo will take on the case and the DNA test and the video will be their proof. Vlad thinks he's the best friend ever and asks him, very sincerely, to be the baby's godfather. Damian says he doesn't deserve it, but he accepts. They drink to it and Vlad calls him "compadre" (literally, "co-parent" as the godparents are responsible for the child's spiritual upbringing; to the child, the godparents are "padrino" and "madrina"; to the godparents, the child is an "ahijado" or "ahijada"; and the parents and godparents are each other's "compadre" or "comadre"; when I was growing up, this was used by my parents and their friends as a way to indicate a close friendship, not necessarily that they were the godparents of each other's children, so it took me a while to figure out the literal meaning). Damian thought bubbles that the weak get devoured in the jungle and now it's Vlad's turn. Oh, that Damian, he's such a sentimental guy.

Erika sits at a restaurant with a pink drink in a martini glass and takes the photo out of the envelope for what I suspect is the hundredth time today at least. Franco shows up and she brushes off his late arrival. She supposes he was busy with the attaché of commerce (and I had to check to make sure, but it was in my last recap that he originally told this lie, so really things aren't moving any faster time-wise, we just have more of it crammed into each costume change). Tee hee. She shows him a travel brochure for a cruise, it sounds like, of some glaciers, Easter Island, and other assorted locations where she'll have to refrain from pushing him over the rail of the cruise ship on their HONEYMOON. Franco looks terrified and I hear the wheel creak as the hamster gets cranking. How is our un-galan-ly galan going to get out of this?

Fer reads all about Ana Gregoria and Abuelo Jeronimo getting it on. She's actually finding it a bit of a turn-on herself, it looks like.

Franco says the trip sounds "fine" and they can make the reservations whenever she wants. The lack of interest is palpable, but as Erika said earlier, she doesn't care. How long will that last before she gets tired of him having a headache every night of the cruise? Come to think of it, do we even suspect that Franco has had sex with anyone? Who? Erika wants to make another suggestion, she says it's silly, but she hopes he'll say "yes." Which, like a dumbass, he does without waiting to hear what it is. She wants a kinda-sorta-joint bachelor and bachelorette party at her family's "finca" (country house) in Tabasco and she wants to invite someone who's vacationed there before…Fer! Ugh.

Fer reads about Soledad being angry at Ana Gregoria because Ana Gregoria wasn't hanging out with her as much. Then she reads about how even Abuela Altagracia noticed that Ana Gregoria wasn't feeling so good and stopped chastising her for not doing such a good job of dusting.

Erika talks about all the fun times she and Fer used to have at the finca…learning to drive a tractor, smoking their first cigarettes, getting drunk for the first time, talking about what the men of their dreams would be like. Erika giggles that every year, her man was different, but Fer always dreamt of the same one. She doesn't remember what the guy was "like" but she knows who the guy was…the cook's son. Erika repeats the story of Fer and Eddie getting busted kissing on the day of Fer's first Communion and Eddie being sent away. Erika laughs that it didn't matter, since Fer wasn't going to marry a servant's son anyway, hahaha! Erika says that Fer sent letters, but Eddie never answered. They toast (Franco is drinking water). Erika offers to show him a picture of a boy they both met in college…Miguel…the only guy Fer would have wanted to be with besides Eddie. He went into economics and is out in Spain working for…I kid you not…Economists Without Borders. Erika suggests they invite Miguel to the finca with them. Franco asks if that's convenient, in the middle of all the problems Fer is having, but Erika says it will be just the thing to cheer Fer up. And, yes, Virginia, there really is an Economistas Sin Fronteras http://www.eurosif.org/member_affiliates/list_of_member_affiliates/esf.

Damian gives Jacobo all the information about Vlad and tells him he wants a clean job. Jake says his buddy is a pro at this, and not to worry. Damian shows him a bag full of money. Jacobo stalls, saying it's going to take some time to study the target, blah, blah, blah. He's using some medical analogy and now says it's going to be an express healing.

Erika goes on and on about how Miguel is just soooo hot and sooooo smart and yet mysteriously single. Miguel and Fer never hooked up, despite Miguel's repeated advances. But Erika's hoping that now the time is ripe, Miguel is coming to Mexico and she thinks he's the perfect guy for Fer. OK, let me get this straight…that photoshopped hottie was into Fer in college, then she came back to Mexico and gave Franco 1 year to come claim her. When he didn't, she instead went for Damian, who she'd just met, instead of looking up Miguel? What. Ever.

Erika is all excited about getting Miguel and Fer together. Franco says it sounds like she's thought it all out. He agrees to inviting Fer and Miguel to join them at the finca. He wonders if Fer will be interested in Miguel. Erika doesn't know, but she's looking forward to playing cupid.

Fer reads about Abuela Altagracia throwing Ana Gregoria and baby Artemio out in a rainstorm. And if this wasn't written down in Ana Gregoria's diary, it would be one of those stories that gets worse every time she tells it…"I was in labor with you for 36 hours and five minutes after I had you my patrona threw me out of the house in sleeting rain with a flash flood warning and lightning strikes every two seconds, and I had to shield you from falling tree branches with nothing by my skinny shoulders while walked barefoot, uphill, and cried my eyes out, so don't you sass me, young man!"

At Margie and Jacinto's house, they eat some tostadas and talk about how Gardenia is soooo stubborn. Margie thinks Gardenia takes after her Abuelo Pantaleon, who was not just stubborn, but also a loudmouth. Margie and Jacinto hear a cat meowing outside, but they ignore it. Jacinto pulls a wrapped present out from the middle of the couch cushions. Margie says it's not her birthday, but Jacinto says it's not really for her. It's a rattle. This is his way of saying he'd like to procreate now. Margie's down with the plan. Jacinto says he just hopes the baby doesn't come out like her Abuelo Pantaleon. They hug. I nominate Jacinto and Margie for Prom King and Queen.

Franco asks what would have happened if Eddie had come back. Erika doesn't think anything would have happened, it was just a childhood crush. And the Elizaldes never would have permitted it. Erika says Fer would have realized eventually the futility of her romance with a hired hand. "Imagine!" says Erika, "It would have been like marrying a country boy like Jacinto!" Lady, you could do worse on this show. A lot worse. And you will. That's where we end it for tonight.

Tomorrow: Erika works on getting rid of Fernanda and Gardenia wants to know what's going on between Franco and Fer.

*Mother with Superior mental faculties than most of the characters in this novela

Labels: manana

Oooops - first off, I forgot yesterday was even a Monday. I asked my wife if she wanted to watch an episode of Monk we recorded and hadn't watched yet, she said "what, the novela wasn't on today?" So I thought oh duh, it's Monday. So we watched the show. Then, this morning in the shower, I thought "oh crap I think it was my turn to recap this week!" So basically I have failed. Here's a rundown of what happened last night, the best I can remember -

Damian convinces Bladimir that he is his friend and really wants to help him. Bladimir records a video spilling his guts about everything that has happened for them to use as blackmail.

We don't see Anibal, Priscilla, Camilo, Venus, Esteve, or Martina at all this episode.

Fernanda and Madre Superiora both travel to see each other, so of course neither one is where they are supposed to be for the other to find them. Finally, for the first time in novela history, someone uses a cell phone in a situation that so clearly calls for a cell phone. Flor calls Fernanda to tell her that MS is there for her, Fer tells her to wait and she'll be right back. Oh and hide her so Barbara doesn't see her. Flor the dutiful soldier does all as ordered.

Aurora wants to go catch Fernanda before she leaves but one of the nuns won't let her out, it's against the rules. Eventually Aurora talks her way out and catches Fernanda. She invites her in, also against the rules, Fernanda calls Flor back and says she'll wait at the nunnery for MS to come back. A second good use of cell phone. During the conversation, Fernanda is able to straighten out a bunch of misconceptions Aurora has - 1) Barbara is the devil, don't trust her. 2) Santiago knows nothing about anything, he has no idea that Barbara is visiting Aurora, etc. He's in Italy and in the dark.
Aurora then tells Fernanda that she is pregnant and that it's Santiago's, with no more proof than "I just know it's his, I was with him first." They didn't teach sex ed at her school I guess. Then, finally, she tells how Camilo drugged her and took advantage of her. My wife still believes that Camilo didn't actually rape her, but just got in the bed. I guess we'll see if that's what Camilo claims in the end, but why should we believe him?
Meanwhile Flor has to wrap up MS like a statue, covered in paper, to sneak her out of the office. Gardenia tries her best to screw it all up like usual but Flor wins this battle.

Erika has frappucinos with her friend who isn't really a friend. She really enjoys asking her are you SURE Franco is so perfect 50 times before showing her the picture and breaking her heart. She revels in it and then says she is just being a good friend by telling her because she loves her like a sister. Yeah right bitch.

Fr/Ed goes to visit Lily with Barbara, Lily isn't supposed to tell that she and Artemio are leaving but Fr/Ed gets it out of her. He talks and they cry about how he and her family don't want her to leave, he basically uses her emotional state to get her to give him the diary as something to remember her by.

I hope I covered all the major points - please chime in with anything I have forgotten. My apologies for the late recap. We are in for a good week of shows, or week and a half, whatever is left, now that things are finally happening. I can't wait until Camilo gets what is coming to him.

Labels: manana

As we return to the day-to-day of the effete elite of Villa Madero, Estev and Errorika continue their ruse with Padre Arcadio in order to secure a fake “replacement” baptism record for Franco by circumventing Padre Bosco and using Estev as the “witness” for Franco Santoro’s baptism; Aurora gets ready to tell the mother superior how things went this time with La Sra. Barbara; La Sra., aka Bad-ass Barbie, is on her way back to Grupo and in seventh heaven over her reconciliation with Aurora. At Grupo, Fernanda looks on as Fr/Eduardo comes up with an excuse to convince Camilo that Barbara’s getting control of Grupo Lactos from Gonzalo will benefit them all financially.

The convoluted explanation Fr/Eddie gives is that Barbara Greco is the only executive in management at Grupo that the supposed “executive board” of Powhere Meelk knows and trusts should anything major happen to Gonzo. (Said another way, the big shots from PM figure Gonzo is pretty much past his sell by date.) Unfortunately, Cad is not in the mood to be convinced and refuses to go along with Step-Mommie Dearest taking full ownership of the family enterprise. He’s pissed at Fer for bowing at the feet of PM who he thinks is taking advantage of the Elizalde’s rotten financial situation. Fr/Ed tells him the contract says Gonzo’s children will get all the profits [utilidades] from the business for the next ten years and that would essentially be worth twice what Barbara stands to make off this deal. Cad remains adamantly opposed to the whole proposition. “Only over my dead body will that woman get my father’s business!” They’ve been warned. He slams the door on his way out.

After Cad storms out of Fer’s office, Fer worries that the strategy won’t work. Fr/Ed says it will because Barbara and Cad are thick as the thieves they are, and he is certain she will make sure Cad doesn’t screw with her plans. Fer remembers then that she learned another secret regarding Barbara. She asks Fr/Ed if he knows Aurora.

Rory, meanwhile, tells the mother superior how changed La Sra. Barbara was this visit and how La Sra. seemed so sorry for the way she’d treated her. The nun wants to know why the woman’s attitude has changed. Aurora says La Sra. has forgiven her as apparently Cad admitted drugging Aurora in order to rape her. Once Rory brings up the business then with the bloody cross and words scrawled on the bathroom mirror, the nun gets a bit suspicious. (I would too, especially since there was no hint of indignation on the part of La Sra. regarding the vile act of rape by one of her step-sons. I mean, doesn’t everybody’s kid do it?) The nun says she wants a detailed rundown of absolutely everything that happened to Rory while she was living with the Elizalde’s, starting from the first moment she met Sra. Elizalde. (Query: ever notice it’s the nuns in these things that get justicia for their flock in the end? Ten points, Team Mother Superior!)

Fer tells Fr/Ed about Flo seeing Babs entering the convent and fills him in on how Barbara had thrown out Rory after so conveniently catching her in bed with another man even though Rory really loves Santiago. Nobody knows who the man was and Barb wouldn’t say. (¡Qué suspicaz!) Wheels start to turn in Fr/Ed’s head.

Cad goes into Barb’s office to call her. He screams at her on the phone about his father giving her the ownership of Grupo and threatens her over it. Barb says she’ll discuss it with him once she gets back there. It won’t change his mind, he says, and he threatens her again.

Meanwhile, Fer tells Fr/Ed she believes there’s some link between Aurora and Barb and she plans to find out just exactly what it could be. Fr/Ed warns her to be careful and then gets ready to go before Barb returns and finds him there with her. They thank each other for the support they’ve been giving each other throughout. (Yawn.) He holds his hand out to shake hers as he leaves. (Excuse me? What a lame move.) Fer kisses him on the cheek instead (another lame move). Fr/Ed touches his cheek and then his lips. (It’s enough for Fer, but definitely not for Viewerville, who is starved for something more than pre-teen daydreams of kissy-faced romance on sandy beaches.) He smiles at her like a little boy with a big secret and leaves. (Yeah, pocket that dude. You will need it soon enough when Nanda finds out just exactly what that big secret is.) Fer sighs and smiles herself. (Viewerville marks its disappointment with a communal harrumph.)

At Bravo’s manse in the big city, Lili comes in for a little chat with her Uncle Artie. (The place must be agreeing with her. She’s finally wearing something besides those gawd awful sweats for a change.) Lili asks if she ever told him he is very much like her father. This angers him but she says they are brothers and both are the sons of her Abuelo Jeronimo. Artie tries convincing her that was only an accident of birth and says he and she are not like the rest of the Elizalde’s. They only have each other, now. Lili should realize, he says, after 15 years that none of the others stopped going on about their daily lives for an instant to worry about her after they learned she’d left the clinic. (I’m sure she remembers that Fer did.) He then changes the subject and suggests they go off together to travel the world and see all the unique places of interest. Lili gets excited at the idea of seeing Egypt and the Pyramids and perhaps, various museums. Bravo says they’ll go off together, take care of one another, and be companions for the rest of their lives. (Like that’s a cheery scenario for a young woman of twenty-something.) Lili’s eyebrows go up and we can only assume she’s considering what that might entail. (Travel is grand, but I’d rather imagine it with my Mr. Wonderful –and an old goat like Bravo ain’t exactly what I’d say passes for anybody’s Mr. Wonderful.)

Back at Grupo a bit later, Fer tells Flor that she’s going to visit the convent herself the next day to speak with the mother superior about what she might know about the connection between Aurora and Barbara. Barb comes out of the elevator just as they’re finishing their discussion. She makes a show of saying hello to Fer who makes a point of saying nothing back. After Barb struts off, Fer wonders if Barb heard their conversation, but Flor is certain that she didn’t. Fer then has Flor sketch [un croquis = a sketch] a map of how to get to the convent.

Cad is waiting for Barb in her office and angrily warns her again that he won’t go along with the transfer of the company to her, but she convinces him he’s got too much on her for her not to continue their partnership. All he has to do is marry Lovely Norton as planned and she’ll take care of the rest, assuring him she’ll make him a millionaire to the end of his days. Cad takes the peso pacifier and reverts to type, figuring it’s easier to let Barb do the heavy lifting and let the easy money roll in.

That evening, Estev and Err are still chatting it up with Padre Arcadio. Estev really gets into it and makes up all sorts of nifty little details about his life spent with his childhood friend, Franco, including being at Franco’s first communion and reception.

Barb now calls Fr/Ed to tell him she’s surprised but appreciative of what he did in demonstrating his loyalty towards her by getting Fer to persuade Gonzo. He says it’ll cost her. He wants to see Lili again. “That’s it?” she asks. He says yes. She says fine, whenever he wants. Fr/Ed says he wants to visit Lili the next day at noon. Barb agrees to it. After she hangs up the batty b!tch smiles to herself about her nearing day of liberation and how having her daughter has begun to give her life meaning. [cobrar sentido]

Anibal now pays a visit to Damian. He is anxious to know how trustworthy the people Dam has in mind are regarding the job he wants done with Vladimir. Dam wonders what’s up and AnyBalls explains he can’t trust Vlad to keep his mouth shut about the baby.

At the same time, Pris is remembering Vlad’s plea not to let her husband separate him from his child. Pris says to herself that she realizes now how much Vladimir loves her child and for his own good he should leave and get far away from all of them.

Cowardly Anyballs, proving once again he wishes he actually had some, tells Dam he’ll pay him half the money the next morning and the rest after the job is finished. Dam wonders when he wants it done. AB says the sooner the better. Dam tells him he’s dealing with major leaguers here. (Oh that’s rich, considering it’s Jacobo and Company.) Dam asks if he should just try persuasion, but AB says that only opens the door for the guy to threaten him with exposing him anytime he gets the urge, and that would mean he and Pris and the baby would lose the inheritance. Dam is pesos-in-his-pupils impactado with this revelation and he gets ready to push the advantage. AB hints he needs something more permanent. Dam says greedily that that will cost AB double.

Errika calls Fer to invite her to join her for a couple of hours the next day at the MUNAL, El Museo National de Arte, with Franco and Estev. Fer agrees to go and says she will take Margarita for the cultural excursion, but Fer needs Errika to take Marge back home afterwards since Fer needs to make a trip to the convent to speak with the mother superior afterwards. Err makes some stupid joke about Fer deciding to become a nun now which Fer does not appreciate. (I got to admit that I don’t much appreciate much of what Dolly’s ditzy daughter does or says these days, myself.)

Across the way at Las Animas, meanwhile, Estev has just told Eddie what he was doing at Padre Arcadio’s with Errika. Eddie puts up such a fuss that Estev thinks Ed’s wanted to avoid the baptism record altogether as a way to get out of his engagement to Errika. “Tell me. Do you want to cancel your wedding with Errika?” Ed struggles cuz it’s obvious he’d love to but…..

At the same time, Fer has gotten hold of Santi and told him how badly Cad took Gonzo’s decision to give Barbara the family business. Moping mop-top Santi says it’s all the same to him; he won’t lose any sleep over it. Santi then changes the subject to Lili. Fer explains that eventually Gonzo will want to bring in the police, and then Barb will tell Bravo and their chances for getting her back will disappear. Santi thinks it’s time Gonzo is told the truth, but Fer tells him that Gonzo has heart problems and his doctor says any sudden shock would be fatal for him. So, the lie must continue.

Back at Las Animas, Ed says he gave his word and he’s sticking by it. This makes Estev snicker. (Me too. This line is gettin’ stale.) Ed explains to Estev how Padre Bosco refused to allow the wedding or to accept any baptismal record from “Franco Santoro.” He gets an even bigger guffaw from his buddy when Franco says he doesn’t want the wedding to proceed if it’s based on a lie. (No duh. This begs the question: which lie of the many are we talking about here, considering Err doesn’t know the biggest one of all yet, that she’d really be marrying Eduardo Juarez, the son of the Elizalde’s housekeeper.) Estev asks Ed again if he really is going to go through with marrying Err. Ed says yes and he’ll make the effort to make her happy. (How thoughtful. How generous.) “What about your love for Fernanda?” Estev poignantly poses the question. Ed says he’ll carry that in his heart till the day he dies. (Eddie-boy is making it very difficult for me not to want to wash my hands of him at this point. Kudo’s to Estev for soldiering on in hopes of eventually making his BFF see reason.)

Santi tells Fer he thinks he jumped the gun by running off to Italy, but she says no, things with Lili could be resolved at any time. She changes the subject to her going to see the mother superior at the convent to find out what she can about Aurora. She tells him she found out that Barb has been going to visit Rory there and it seems a little fishy to her. [darle mala espina= to feel uneasy] Santi is still angry about Rory cheating on him and says nothing will change the facts, even if he knew the name of the man Barb found her with. Fer sympathizes and says to wait till after she’s talked with the woman and they’ll have the answers they need. That should clear up whatever doubts they might still have about Aurora. He says go ahead because he simply cannot continue living through the Hell he’s had to.

Meanwhile, Aurora sleeps the sleep of the innocent and dreams of a forgiving Santi coming back for her and the baby.

The next morning Fernanda and Marge meet up with Estev and Errika in front of the MUNAL. Fast Eddie rides up on a motorcycle lookin’ hot in leather and denim. (He loses points with hubby, though, for the nerdy helmet.)

Dam gives Vlad an early morning call during breakfast. Vlad’s in no mood to speak to his ex-pal. Dam accuses him of eating scorpions (instead of Cheerios) for breakfast. He only wants to help his friend out after all. Vlad says Dam doesn’t know the meaning of the word and remains suspicious. “Don’t waste my time. I’ve got to get to work.” Dam says he’s got a plan that should interest him since it has to do with Pris and the baby. Vlad is all ears.

The tour of the MUNAL and our Mexican art history lesson (PSA #1199) begins. The only thing notable for many (me included) is the way Errorika drapes herself all over Fr/Eddie and the furtive glances he and Fer alternately share. (For those who care and are artistically inclined, hubby says Orozco is vastly overrated and the only one worthwhile of the artists mentioned was Diego Rivera but, the pre-Columbian sculpture was worth the price of admission. I say, “Ehh! To each his own, and” --you should pardon the pun—“different strokes for different folks…..” The only Mexican work of art worth looking at in my opinion was Fernando Colunga. Yowza!! Love the way he fills out those gringo blue jeans!) FF>>

Back at Grupo, Denia has a hard time deciding with cousin Flor what kind of “career” she wants to study for. She’s no good at numbers and it would seem, not so great at learning English either….. bada-boom. Forget computers, bookkeeping or being a bilingual sexratary.

The mother superior prays to the virgencita for guidance.

Vlad agrees to see Dam who tells him nobody has the right to separate him from either his child or the woman he loves. He says that’s why it surprises him that Vlad agreed to accept Anibal’s offer. Vlad immediately wonders how he found out. Dam says that doesn’t matter. What’s important is that he has a very good source that tells him Anyballs is ready to comply with what he promised. Vlad figures out it was AB that sent him and yells at Dam that he can go back and tell Anyballs he doesn’t believe a word of it. Dam says Vlad doesn’t have any choice and is being stupid if he doesn’t believe him. Vlad suffers another moment of indecision. (Will he or won’t he fall for the ruse?)

The mother superior (now that the phones are apparently working again) calls Grupo looking for Fernanda, but she hangs up without leaving her name when she finds out from Flor that Fer isn’t there.

Dam manages to calm down Vlad and tells him he’s got it wrong. He’s not there on behalf of anybody, much less a tyrant like Anibal. Vlad, he says, runs off at the mouth and needs to learn to keep his mouth shut from time to time. Vlad agrees and says his problem is that he’s become confused with everything that’s been going on. Good pal Dam says that’s precisely why he decided to come see him, to offer his help and support by seeing that Anibal doesn’t end up with his kid. Vlad says thanks, but it’s all been handled now. Dam doesn’t understand. Vlad says he couldn’t be expected to sit around with his arms crossed and do nothing while the guy tries to take his child and wife from him. Dam asks if he’s saying he’s seen Pris again.

Vlad says he had to see Pris again and that now she understands and says he’s right about everything. Dam tells him he’s an idiot; that he should realize Pris is really on Anibal’s side. Vlad refuses to believe that of his “angel”. Dam tells him to shut up and listen. “You can’t really think that she would risk losing the Elizalde fortune her kid will inherit, do you? Settle down. Get used to it! [aterrizar] You are so naïve! All the rich are the same. They’re all trash!! Among the rich it’s all understood.” (Could it be that Dam is out to double-cross the double-crossing Elizalde’s?) Vladi is as confused as ever. (So am I. What’s he suddenly doing with a 5:00 shadow at 8 AM?)

Bravo is examining Lili’s birth certificate when he gets a call from the security guard that Fr/Ed and Barbara are out front. He carefully puts the document into an envelope and throws the envelope into his desk drawer. Barb and Fr/Ed walk in. Barb tells Bravo that as part of their agreement, Franco has come to see Lili again. She thinks it’s the least they can do considering the impeccable behavior he’s demonstrated towards them the last day or two. Bravo says he’s happy to hear things are progressing positively for them, but he cannot comply with Santoro’s request. Barb becomes visibly upset and asks why. Bravo says it’s because Lili isn’t there. Fr/Ed frowns and is obviously upset with this disturbing turn of events.

Labels: manana

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 3:01 PM 106 comments

Readers: I will not be able to do the recap next week. Will someone out there sub for me? Thanks.

Flor heads to Purification in a taxi and tells Fer that she’ll be there in about half an hour. She’ll get there and as soon as she does Fer wants her to call. The cab driver is flattered when Flor calls him “joven.” With that encouragement, he steps on the gas.

Steve talks with Camilo and Venus. Venus tells him that Barbara is making all the arrangements for the party. They are going to invite everyone Camilo knows in his personal and business life to the party announcing their engagement. Camilo takes his leave and says goodbye to “tio” Steve. Venus gives Cam a hot kiss and asks him to call her. Steve has a fit with Venus. He tells her Camilo is not only a parasite, but irresponsible and abusive to women and those who cannot fight back like Jacinto. She says she’ll keep that in mind. Editor: What is Venus plotting? Maybe she’ll do a strip dance at the big shindig and invite her friends from the cantina. Wouldn’t that be cute.

Barb gives little Rocio at the country house instructions to leave with the maid when the work is done. Barb flashes back to the day that she pushed Rosendo down the hill. The maid is finished and Barb gives her a tip.

Aurora is knitting at the convent. She talks to the nun who went on that little adventure with her. They are very remorseful for having told Mother Superior so many lies. The nun wants to know what she talked to the man about. Aurora tells her Barbara Elizalde. Aurora doesn’t understand why she was released. She now knows that Barbara is very interested in her and it worries her.

Damian gives an envelope to Barb with half the money in it. Barbara calls him an imbecile and he tells her that the only way to get Aurora is by force. He curses the nuns. If she wants, he’ll go back to get Aurora. Barb says no. Damian says let’s not let this trip be in vain. We’ll succeed. Editor: So, he is his old dastardly self working Barb like she’s worked him.

Aurora tells the nun about her relationship with Barb. They wonder what will happen if Aurora doesn’t go. The nun wants to pray. Aurora tells the nun that if he wanted to do her damage it would have happened. It’s all up to Barbara to get me out of here.

Barb threatens Damian some more and decides that she’ll go talk to Aurora herself. Damian smiles his sweet Cheshire cat smile.

Editor: OK, readers, do you think Damian has turned over a new leaf? Nah, this grifter sees that there is money to be made here, and he’s getting in line for his share.

Meanwhile Flor’s taxi has a flat tire and she is stranded on the highway. I did not see this coming

Vlad is following Pris in the garage. She tells him to get in the car. They roll the windows down so we can hear better. She tells him he doesn’t listen and is complicating the situation. He says he’s afraid for her and for the child. He’s afraid that Ani will not comply with his word. Once again he states his paternal rights. She says we can’t talk like this. Vlad is visibly disturbed. She tries to calm him down because it’s not good for the baby. Pris is disgusted with him. He says the only reason she came to him was to get pregnant. But, he’ll forgive her and not be bitter, but what he needs and loves most in this life is that his child is not taken from him. He wants her to swear. Pris cries.

Erika shows the invitations to Steve and Franco. Franco leaves the room. Erika asks a big favor of Steve and says her wedding with Franco depends upon it.

Steve asks Erika what she’s talking about. She tells Steve about Father Bosco’s failure to give them a copy of Franco’s Baptismal Certificate. She says that what she has in mind is simple.

Gardenia is manning the front counter again. Fer asks her about papa – gone; Anibal – gone; Barbara – gone. Fer shows Gardenia a sample of possible career paths. Gardenia of course doesn’t know how to answer. Fer tells her that she will acquire security and that she has to give reality to her dreams.

Pris assures Vlad that he has nothing to worry about. Ani will respect his paternity and that his pride and desire to punish her and humiliate her by making her infidelity public drives him onward. It doesn’t matter to her, but to Vlad it does. They are both crying. Vlad has the solution to make Anibal tow the line and humiliate her no more.

Speaking of the devil, Anibal drives up and sees Pris and Vlad talking in the car. Vlad is investigating and is going to try to prove that he’s the father of the child and that they can beat Anibal. Anibal looks like the devil himself because he knows these two are up to no good. Anibal drives away.

Pris says that Vlad is right but tests to prove paternity can be very dangerous. He wants to make sure that nothing happens to the baby and he wants Anibal to know that the two of them are ready to fight for the child. Editor: I’m getting sucked in by the tears welling up in the eyes of this pair. I wonder if is Pris being more sympathetic towards Vlad or is it my imagination.

Back at the taxi, Flor is on the road again. They finally arrive near the convent. None other than Barb is getting out of her gas guzzling SUV. Flor tells the driver to put on the breaks. She doesn’t want Barb to see her. The taxi backs up down the street.

Barb knocks and a nun answers. Barb says she wants to see Aurora. The nun runs to Aurora and tells her that the stepmother is there to visit her. Aurora tells her that they are going to see Mother Superior.

Flor has to offer the cab driver a good tip to continue.

Aurora asks Mother Superior for permission to see Barb. Mother Superior agrees and Aurora asks to see Barb in her room. Mother agrees.

Fer says she has to see somebody in person and will wait in her office.

Flor calls and tells Fer that she couldn’t do the job because Barbara arrived at the convent at the same time. Flor says don’t worry, Barb didn’t see me, but Flor is terrified. Fer tells Flor to return so that Barb won’t see her. Why does Barb go to see Aurora? Fer muses.

Barb goes into Aurora’s room. With catlike maternal pride, she says “Aurora, daughter, how pretty you are.”

Erika and her co conspirator, Steve, plan to visit a museum tomorrow. Conveniently, Franco’s cell rings. It’s Fer. He says you aren’t interrupting anything. She would like to see him in her office and she knows exactly where Barb is. Franco takes his leave and says he has to go to Lactos. Dear Erika tells him not to get too distracted. Franco looks at the two of them quizzically. Steve and Erika are going to Villa Madera apparently to get the papers needed for the wedding.

Aurora flatters Barb and tells her how happy she is to see her. Barb eats it up and asks about the baby. Good, says Aurora. It’s not moving yet. Barb lies and says she’s never touched the belly of a pregnant woman. She reaches out to touch Aurora and a tear trickles down her cheek. She offers her help. Aurora asks why did you order my removal from here.

Pris says hello to Gardenia. Anibal is in and Pris goes to his office. Pris tells Anibal that they have to talk right away.

Editor: At this point Pris could tell Anibal the truth, or she could make up a lie. In either case, Anibal is holding the trump card.

Aurora wants to know why Barb sent those people. Barb says she was afraid that Aurora wouldn’t talk to her because she might think that all the Elizaldes were all the same. She asks if Aurora hates her. Aurora says no. Barb says that what she did was very bad. She didn’t give Aurora time to explain. Camilo told her what happened and that she knows that Aurora is innocent. Aurora wants to know what Camilo said.

Barb tells her about the drug, but says now there is an opportunity to repair all the damage. Aurora wants to know about Santiago. Barb says that Santiago will never forgive his brother and Aurora says that’s what she thought, too. Barb wants Aurora to know something else. Gonzo is very sick and Camilo is his favorite child (consentido). Barb wants her to give birth to the baby in secret with just Santiago and her. Barb wants her to go with her on a trip so that she can take care of her and the baby. What’s your answer? Break.

Pris tells Anibal that Vlad suspects that they will not comply with their word and that Vlad wants a paternity test. Anibal is not going to let that imbecile interfere with his plans and that he will do whatever it takes to stop Vlad.

Aurora tells Barb that she wants to wait a while. Barb tells her to take however much time she needs. Aurora says she’s a little confused. Barb understands perfectly and caresses Aurora. She says that she hopes that one day Aurora will forgive her. There is no hurry, you can give me a reply when you want. Barb wants to visit her daily but she understands she can’t. One last favor. says Barb, I beg you that when I come to look for you please receive me. Don’t refuse me. Aurora nods, yes. Barb thanks her.

Camilo is having a fit over the news Fer is giving him about the division of his father’s wealth. He says he’ll never change his mind. Fer says that this transfer will be convenient to them.

After all the drama between Barb and Aurora, we’re back at Lactos. Flor arrives and Gardenia starts to fill her in on the gossip. Before they can get going, Franco enters and tells Gardenia that he has an appointment with Fernando. Flor and Gardenia fight over who will give Fer the message. So, they both try to call. Flor tells Fer that she’s back and that Franco is there to see her. Camilo says so what about the rest of this conversation? Sorry, I have to talk to Franco. With Franco present, Fer repeats the story of Gonzo’s division of property. Franco says that it was he who suggested that his father make this division of wealth. Another break.

At Villa Madero, Erika talks to Chelsea and sets up a coffee date for tomorrow. Padre Arcadio enters and asks what he can do for them. Erika introduces Steve as her fiancées best friend. She tells the priest that Franco lost his Baptismal Certificate. She retells her conversation with Padre Bosco. Steve is willing to swear that his friend has been baptized. He calls the secretary and tells her to take the information (datos) to issue the copy. Erika begins giving her the information.

Aurora goes to see Mother Superior.

Barb drives onward with a big smile on her face.

Yes, says Franco, it sounds absurd that such a transfer will be beneficial to them. Gonzo is an old man, his company fears that if he dies his interests will pass to all the children, people that Power Milk doesn’t know. So, says, Camilo, give Lactos as a gift to make your guys happy. No says, Franco – it will establish stability. Power Milk will amend it’s contract with a stipulation that 100% will ultimately go to the heirs of Gonzola Elizalde – they’ll end up with double. Fer hopes he understands completely her father’s decision. Editor: It’s kind of hard to do the math here, and I don’t think Camilo is any better at multiplication than I am.

Avances: Aurora is a great point of interest. Steve tells Franco that he has to cancel his wedding with Erika.

Labels: manana

EPISODE #136 (#142 in Mexico):

* Don Silvestre and Martina are having a happy father-daughter moment talking about her future wedding to Dr. Carlos; he's overjoyed and will happily bless the day when he gives her away to Dr. Carlos.

* Jacomo, in his really bad italian accent, convinces Aurora and Sister to walk down the street with him to his car -- to retrieve the letter from Santi. Sister is suspicious but agrees to go. Jacomo slaps his forehead over Sister accompanying them.

* Fer grumbles to self about evil Barbinator. A knock on the office door. Fer shouts for Flor to enter. Barbie enters, much to Fer's displeasure. Barb wants to talk to her about convincing Daddy Gonzo to sign the will that gives her everything. Fer spouts off against Barbie. Barb wonders where the nice, respectful little girl went. Fer yells that little girl disappeared the day she learn how evil and hurtful Barbara Greco really is - to lead her father on as the dutiful wife all the while having an affair with her own stepdaughter's husband (Damian). Barb is stunned but not shaken. They have a civilized face-off. Barb congratulates Fer on her bravado. Fer tells Barb to leave her office now.

* The sister and Aurora follow Jacomo down the boulevard to the street corner. They round the corner to the alley where Jacomo's car is parked. Assistant crawls on ground along the opposite side of the car. Ladies climb into the backseat. Jacomo gets in the front and pretends to look for the letter. Man jumps into back and holds the ladies at gunpoint. Ladies are stunned and shaken. Jacomo tells them not to worry. He drives away.

* Barbie and Franco talk on the phone. She solidifies their pact.

* Fer and Flor meet in the office. Fer asks Flor to find the phone number for the convent where Aurora is staying. Fer tells her not to tell Barbie anything about this at all. Flor leaves. Fer works on her computer and makes a telephone call to her father's doctor. The doctor tells Fer something shocking about her dad's real health problem (one-side phone conversation - don't know what the doctor said, only Fer's reaction to it).

* Barb is desperate and calls Damian for an update. Damian briefly and bluntly tells her the plan is proceeding right now. Barb repeats that he is to take Aurora to the summer house. Damian knows that and hangs up. He hides in the trees as he spots Jacomo's car approach.

* Damian gets out and walks to Jacomo. He asks why the sister is there? Jacomo explains and says Aurora is in the car. Damian calls Barbie and tells her that a small situation has occurred and he will call her back. Barbie wants details but only gets a 'click' from Damian hanging up on her.

* Jacomo tells Damian that the plan was successful except for the sister tagging along. Damian orders his cousin to bring Aurora to him.

* Jacomo returns to his car and tries to get Aurora to go with him. Aurora, now really curious, asks why? Jacomo has to do his best song-and-dance routine to convince her to go with him. The sister blesses Aurora. Jacomo walks Aurora to Damian's car. Aurora is surprised to see Damian.

* Mother Superior returns to her office - it's empty. She wonders where is Aurora?

* Damian wants Aurora to come with him. She's upset and full of questions. Damian calmly asks her to get in the car. Aurora agrees. Damian tells Jacomo to wait with the sister while they are talking. In the car, Damian explains that he is there on behalf of someone who loves her. She thinks it's Santi. Damian is vague about who it really is.

* Flor returns to the office to tell Fer the phone number. Fer tells Flor about the family problems with Dad and his will, Barbie, and Camilo. Fer says right now she can only trust Franco. Fer asks Flor to do her a huge personal favor. Flor eagerly accepts.

* Silvestre is having a thorough battery of tests and exams on his eyes.

* Martina waits with Dr. Carlos in the doctor's office. She is worried about Lili, and Franco's plan to rescue her. He says he's right there for her. She's so happy and thankful to have him in her life. He feels the same way about her. They kiss. (AW!)

* Franco is working at his laptop in his office. Erika sneaks in and surprises him. She wants him to go with her to meet with Padre Bosco now.

* Damian continues to talk with Aurora in his car about why he did this scheme to get her out of the convent. Damian wonders why she's at the convent? what happened at the ranch? She says it's because she was found in bed with Camilo - that's why she thinks she's lost her one true love forever. Damian wonders if Camilo was the one who ran her off the ranch. She says no. He wonders about Santi? Does he know the truth? She shakes her head. He guesses, then it was Barbie.

* Barbie is desperate and mumbles in her office. She calls on the cell phone, "Damian, answer! answer!"

* As Aurora and Damian are talking, the cell phone rings. Damian thought bubbles when he sees who is calling, "Suffer, evil one! Suffer!" and doesn't answer the call.

* Barbie leaves a nasty threatening message on Damian's voice mail.

* Damian tells Aurora that this was all Barbie's plan - for him to get her from the convent and take her to the summer house at the ranch. Santi doesn't know anything about it. Aurora is confused and stunned. Damian is intrigued when Aurora starts to feel sick. Aurora demands to return to the convent immediately; Mother S is probably worried about her and the sister by now. She then blurts out to Damian that she's pregnant and her baby's what is most important to her right now.

* Erika walks with Franco from the car towards San Rafael parish church. Franco stops and convinces Erika to wait in the car - he wants to talk with Padre Bosco alone (the excuse is that he will be confessing his sins in private to the priest).

* Flor and Fer discuss Fer's plan for Flor to go by taxi to the convent school. Flor leaves to contact the taxi company. Fer sits at her desk and writes a letter to Aurora. She starts and stops; she doesn't want it to sound too much like Barbie.

* Aurora sits in the car. Damian is outside the car and talks on the cell phone with Barbie. Barbie is desperate for Damian to fulfill his part in the plan. Damian pauses and assures her he will complete his part. He hangs up and grumbles.

* Franco and Padre Bosco have their unwelcome reunion in the parish office. Franco has to explain why he returned against Padre's wishes. Padre asks about Soledad's vault and Eduardo. Franco assures him that Eduardo Juarez Cruz is dead forever. He wants to start a new life as Franco Santoro and is marrying Erika. Padre is totally opposed to the marriage - because he knows that Franco/Eduardo will always be in love with Fernanda Elizalde.

* Erika is sitting in the car, talking on her cell phone to her friend Chelsea. She explains that she and Franco are at San Rafael parish right now. Chelsea invites her over for coffee to plan for her wedding and gossip. Erika is really excited by the invitation and accepts. They hang up. Chelsea receives her iPhone photo of Fer and Franco from the photo store clerk and smiles about what she plans to do with it.

* Franco explains to Padre Bosco that he can't be with Fer now or ever; he wants to marry Erika. Padre still has his doubts. Erika knocks and enters. She interrupts and asks Padre if he approves of her handsome fiance. She then asks him about how to obtain Franco's baptism certificate. Padre explains the process is difficult and requires two witnesses. Erika is disappointed. Padre gives them some advice. He blesses them before they leave.

* Damian and Aurora get out of the car. Damian makes a proposal - he will take her and sister back to the convent if she does something for him. Aurora looks at him.

* At the car, Franco and Erika talk about the certificate. Franco wants to handle it himself. Erika asks that they go back to Las Animas - she wants to go over some more details for the wedding with him.

* At the restaurant, Camilo and Lovely discuss their engagement party. Lovely is so excited and wants to have a really long guest list - making him present her as his future wife to a really full house. Camilo is shaken and frustrated (he's definitely deep in quick sand and sinking fast.)

* At the convent, Mother Superior tries to use her phone and realizes the line is dead. She paces. Aurora and Sister enter. Mother S asks where have they been?

* Damian and Jacomo finish up their business outside at the cars.

* Aurora and Sister come up with a very good cover story to tell Mother S where they went, and about the letter from Santi. Mother S. accepts the story and tells them, from now on, they are to inform her before they leave the convent.

* Flor is in the taxi. She talks with Fer on the cell phone - she's en route right now to the convent. Flor hangs up and pressures the driver to drive faster.

* Camilo and Lovely are in Franco's office with Steve. Camilo says that Barbie has taken care of all the arrangements for the engagement party. They discuss how long the guest list will be. Camilo salutes Uncle Steve, kisses Lovely and leaves. Steve explodes and yells at Venus to remind her about what a horrible, awful monster Camilo Elizalde actually is!

ADVANCE: Aurora and Sister have a pow-wow about Barbie. Erika asks Steve to go with her to the parish to Franco's baptism certificate. Could Franco's real identity be in jeopardy of being discovered?

Labels: manana

Well, that's news to me.

We have a brief review of Jacobo and Damian hatching their nefarious plans and Fer and Franco drinking coffee and chatting about the Barbinator and her nefarious plans.

Fer thinks it's completely ridiculous to convince Daddy to hand everything over to Evil Barbie. Franco breaks it to her that her options are to keep the money away from Barbie and lose Lili or give Barbie everything and get Lili back. Franco thinks Evil Barbie has some unknown motives and he's going to try to figure them out. He wants to know what her Achilles heel is. "No hay otro salida"--literally, there is no other exit; i.e., we have no other options.

A blonde, a brunette, and a redhead walk into the restaurant…ba dum, pum.

Franco wants to know what to do--carry on or quit? "No hay otro solución"-there is no other solution.

The redhead notices Fernanda sitting with Franco. The brunette remembers he's marrying their "friend" Erika. The redhead thinks the worst, but the blonde thinks she's being mean. "A mí se me hace que aquí hay un romance oculto."--I say we've got a hidden romance here. "Chelsie" the redhead, takes out her cell phone, to the brunette's delight. Mr. 5ft can tell the redhead's being bitchy even without knowing what she's talking about.

Erika asks Ruthie for her opinion on some flowers that Erika is looking at online. "Yo lo veo medio simplosito"--I think it looks kinda simple (halfway a little simple). And we can't have that for our spoiled little rich girl, now can we? Erika corrects her that it's "simploncito". Her phone rings and it's Chelsie. Erika semi-complains about how tough it is to organize a wedding. Chelsie wants Erika to ask Franco if he'll talk to her about buying a vacation plan, but Erika doesn't know where he is. Chelsie suggests Erika call him and find out. What are we, in 7th grade? Next thing she'll suggest is that they get Franco on 3-way so Chelsie can ask him how he really feels about Erika without telling him Erika's on the line. So, now it's dinner theater as the trio wait to see where Franco tells Erika he is.

As Franco and Fer talk about whether Fer needs to go back to Lactos, Franco's phone rings. Erika goes along with Chelsie's plan, unwittingly, and Franco says he can't talk to Chelsie right now because he's "in a meeting." "With Fer, at Lactos?" Erika asks. Numbnuts tells her he's just arriving at "la embajada de estados unidos" to talk to the "agregado comercial"--the US Embassy to talk to the attaché of commerce. Erika says they'll leave it for another time, then. She sends him more magical kisses. He hangs up and Fer knows exactly who he was talking to.

Chelsie jokingly tells her phone "maquinita de la verdad, revélanos el chisme"--little machine of truth, reveal the gossip. Now the blonde's into it. Erika (who Chelsie refers to as Princess) reports Franco's BS location. Chelsie puts her on speaker so the other harpies can listen in.

Fer wonders what Franco loses if everything tanks. He says he'd lose her friendship, but Fer doesn't believe they're friends. He thinks they will be when they get Lili back. And why is he so interested in friendship? Because it's all he can ever have with her. Fer says she'll talk to Daddy and get him to go ahead with the transfer, but "lo demás queda en tus manos"-- the rest is in Franco's big sexy manly hands. Which she's holding as Chelsie takes a picture. I dunno, I think it's kind of far away and fuzzy. She doesn't have zoom on that iPhone? Fer and Franco unknowingly continue to stare intently at each other.

Evil Barbie reminds Camilo that she's doing everything for his own good. She called him to the office to tell him the party's all ready. Camiiiiiii looks like he's going to be sick.

Venus still won't tell Martina what she's planning so that Martina won't go running to Esteve. Martina's convinced it's nothing good. Venus promises her "nos vamos a divertir pues un montón"--we're going to have, like, a ton of fun! And Esteve will be left with his mouth open. Martina whines and tries to convince Venus not to screw with that sweet, sweet, gringo. Venus tries to distract her by saying they've got to pick out a hot little number for Martina to wear, too. I admit that if someone insisted on buying me a pretty frock it would definitely distract me from wondering what havoc they were planning.

The ladies who lunch giggle over the face they expect Erika to make when she sees the picture. The brunette goes to the loo, but she wants updates when she gets back. Chelsie confirms that she's absolutely planning to show that picture to Erika…"A ver, si entre nosotras no somos solidarias y nos cuidamos las espaldas, entonces para que somos las amigas?"--Let's see, if between ourselves we aren't supportive and we don't watch each other's backs, then what are we friends for? Bee. Yatch.

Franco gives Fer her grandpa Jeronimo's pen. Fer muses that it must be the most expensive gift Ana Gregoria ever received. She wants that diary so she can air all the family's dirty laundry. She says it's the only way that the Elizaldes can quit being so unfair and such liars and cheaters. She says she's indebted to someone--Soledad Cruz. She thinks she owes it to Soledad to reveal all the secrets, especially so they can see how unfair they were to her. She knows it won't be much of a comfort to her, but she wants the family to realize how ungrateful they were toward Soledad. Franco is moved and has to run off to the bathroom and fix his eye makeup. What? That's what chicks do. He goes over to a window near the bathroom and cries. The brunette notices on her way out, but walks back to her table. Franco struggles to get it together.

Evil Barbie tells Camilo they need to start prepping for his divorce now, before he's married. She tells him he'd better not get Lovely pregnant. Camilo laughs, "Estas frente a un profesional en la materia"--you're facing an expert on the subject. Way to remind her you raped her daughter, dumbass. Or is your secret that you never actually sleep with women, therefore there's no way to get any of them pregnant? Or perhaps you've already done your homework and found out Santi's the only male of your generation not shooting blanks? Cami says if he hadn't been careful with all his hos Barbie and Gonzo would have grandbabies coming out of their ears. Barbie casually asks if he was also "careful" with Aurora and he says he was "extra careful". He wonders where she and Santi are, that neither of them are around anymore. Barbie says Aurora ran away and Santi went to Florence. Camilo wants Santi back for the party to show him that he's the only one who knows how to get a woman. Yes, please do bring him back to witness Cami's humiliation at the hands of Venus!

Martina is trying on a hot pink and black tie-dyed maxi dress with a smocked bodice all in black. It looks good, but I'm thinking too casual for the big party. Venus loves it, though. Martina declares she won't go to the party if Venus doesn't tell her what she's planning and escapes back into the dressing room. Venus says she'll tell Martina if she swears not to tell. She whispers the plan in Martina's ear, but Martina seems horrified. Venus says that jerk "Me la paga porque me la paga"--He'll pay [me] because he'll pay; i.e., I'll have my revenge, he'll pay for what he's done just because I say so, etc. Venus says she'll disappear afterward, even from Esteve because she really wants to forget him, even if it hurts down to her "cachas" (core, marrow, or very slangily--sex organ…depending on who you ask). Esteve is just an illusion, like a TV galán, that's all.

The brunette reports that Franco was crying. Chelsie also notices that Fer doesn't look too happy. But those three are ecstatic, anticipating how upset Erika will be when she sees the picture. What a bunch of, how you say, harpies? Arpías!

Dam, Jacobo, and unnamed Accomplice drive down a dusty lane in Pueblo Purificación. They're just around the corner from the convent. Jacobo wants the rundown on security, but it's essentially nil. Damian reminds him to be really, really careful with the girl.

Out in the parking lot, Fer says she'll get to work right away. Franco wonders what her plans are when all this is over and Lili's back. She was originally thinking of running off with Lili, but she doesn't want to run from her responsibilities. She thinks she'll stick around, get Lili proper treatment, and make sure Evil Barbie pays for all her crimes. And she wants to get the oft-mentioned community center up and running to honor the memories of Eduardo and Soledad.

Nameless Nun tells Aurora that "Bruno Manfredi" with an Italian accent is there to speak to her on Santiago's behalf, with a letter from Santiago, but he has to give it to her personally. Jacobo tries to hurry the process up, but the Mother Superior is not a woman to be rushed. Jacobo is saying that Santi is a student of his and is currently working on some restoration work back in Italia.

Fer goes to Gonzo's office and begs forgiveness. He can't shove her into a chair fast enough. He kind of laughs that she was a little impulsive, but says he's not angry at her, just worried about her and worried that the trust they used to have has deteriorated lately. Fer says she doesn't want to be a worry for him and does everything thinking of his well being. Gonzo feels guilty for not giving her all the support she needs because he's so busy with his own worries. Fer says she wants to talk about his worries with regard to Barbie. She tells him he's right, she agrees he has every right to protect his wife in any way he sees fit. Gonzo is surprised, but too stupid to question it. So far, though, she's only saying she approves of giving Barbie the 60%. Fer says not to thank her, she's just doing what's best for the family. Gonzo is so proud of her. As we go to commercials, they show a clip of Gonzo as I imagine he'll look when he finally realizes what an idiot he's been for the last fifteen years.

Damian waits in his car for Jacobo, stressing out. "Por que el repentino interés de Barbara por Aurora si antes no la tragaba?"--Why is Barbie suddenly interested in Aurora when before she couldn't stand her (couldn't swallow, couldn't stomach). Vlad calls him, but Damian's not in the mood and ignores it. Damian says soon Vlad will cease to be a bother.

Anibal takes a call from Vlad. Vlad stresses that Damian's not answering his calls. Anibal says to forget Damian, he's not interested anymore. Unlike Gonzo, Vlad puzzles over this sudden change of attitude. He opens a folder and says "no puede ser!"--It can't be.

Aurora comes into the Mother Superior's office.

Gonzo gives Fer a glass of water. Fer says that Gonzo shouldn't wait to give Barbie all the goods, just do it now and get it over with. Fer says it's not fair to make Barbie wait until Anibal's kid is born. He looks slightly confused, now.

Jacobo talks in some bad, fake Spitalian. He says Santi sent him to talk to Aurora about some, er, kind of private things. The Mother Superior and the other nun leave so Aurora and Jacobo can talk privately. Jacobo says Santi talks about nothing but Aurora and is crazy in love with her, but he didn't say when he's coming back to Mexico. He did give a letter for her, though, which is mysteriously missing from every pocket in his jacket.

Fer says it seems humiliating to make Barbie wait for the birth of the grandchild before she gets what she deserves. Barbie comes in and tries to leave, but Gonzo makes her stay. He happily announces that Fer is back and has a brand new attitude. Gonzo wants Barbie to hear it from Fer's own lips.

Jacobo says he remembers that he left the letter in the car. He asks her to come with him to get it. You just know she's going to fall for it. Sucker.

After some prodding from Gonzo, Fer says she agrees with Gonzo wanting to put 60% in Barbie's name, but she asked him not to wait for the baby to be born. Barbie squeezes out a fake tear. Fer says it seems only fair to her. Barbie asks Fer how she can repay such generosity, but hugs Gonzo instead. I think it bought her time to have a reaction without looking Fer in the eye. And poor Fer. Talk about taking one for the team. Barbie cries and thanks them both, but says she's worried now about Camilo because he doesn't know what's going on and he might feel offended, now that he's getting married. Gonzo says all his kids have a home and college degrees, so they've got nothing to complain about. He calls his lawyer. Fer tries not to look hatefully at Barbie while Barbie tries not to look at Fer pityingly.

Jacobo is having a little trouble convincing Aurora and now throws in an embellishment about some photos as well. Now she's convinced, but luckily, the other nun whose name I can never remember was just about to knock on the door and ask if they wanted drinks. Aurora says not now, but would the Sister come with her to this nice man's car to collect the letter and photos? I sense a nunnapping on the way. Is that good for a go straight to hell card? Jacobo curses as he follows them out.

Silvestre, in the doctor's office, grouses about not wanting an operation. He thinks it's a waste and he's used to his glasses anyway. Come one, man, get the operation, lose the glasses, get a makeover and find yourself a nice viejita to spend the rest of your days with. They do a PSA about the procedure, which I don't listen to because "operation" and "eyes" in the same sentence kind of freaks me out. Speaking of "eyes," Martina and the Doc make some at each other as he leaves the office to get something I wasn't paying attention to. Martina talks to Silvestre about heading for the beach after the operation. Silvestre is so happy to have such a great daughter (and this without even seeing her kick ass at mud wrestling) "Nomas me pida vida para verte bien casada"--All I ask is enough life left to see you well married. Ditto to that. Martina say it's going to be cool walking into the church together with Carlos waiting at the altar. Silvestre promises her dead mommy will also be there sharing in their happiness on that day.

Jacobo, Aurora, and the nun walk out of the convent. Now Jacobo claims his car broke down, but it's just around the corner, just a few steps away. Aurora again asks the nun to go with her and the nun agrees. Jacobo takes Aurora's arm and starts leading her to the car.

Fer walks into her office and states a bunch of obvious things to herself about Barbie, the money, etc. Barbie comes in, but Fer isn't so nice to her now. Barbie wants Fer to explain the situation to Camilo. Both ladies have the gloves off now. Barbie doesn't care if Fer likes it or not, agrees with it or not, just is she going to do it or not. Fer snits that when they have Lili back, she expects Barbie to go far, far away, where they never hear anything from her again. Barbie notes the claws are out now and wonders where sweet little Fernandita has gone to. "Desapareció en el momento que descubrió a la verdadera Barbara Greco, una mujer perversa que ha abusado del amor ciego que le profesa un anciano mientras que ella le ha sido infiel con el marido de su hijastra!"--She disappeared in the moment that she discovered the true Barbara Greco, a perverse woman who has taken advantage of the blind love professed to her by an old man while she cheats on him with her stepdaughter's husband! Well, sure, when you put it that way….

Tomorrow: The incriminating photo gets blown up, including the date/time stamp, and presumably we get fallout from Fer calling Barbie on her shit.

Labels: manana

I have to say again, young Fer and young Eduardo were the cutest thing ever. I wish there'd been more of them, and I hope to see them in future shows...

• Previouslies: Barb is planning to get Aurora, hide her away, and then finish off Artemio.
  
  Daffy Duddy grabs Fer and shakes her shouting, "Barbara gave everything, her youth, she gave her all for our family, she took care of you! You're just proving I'm doing right by protecting her interests!"
  
  Fer almost has an infarct from holding back all the secrets she knows. Duddy has a little heart problem but doesn't die. I sure hope he lives to see who Barb really is.
  
  Fer quits her job at Lactos.
  
  Esteve gets Fr/Ed a fake birth certificate. Fr/Ed rehashes his conversation with Barb: to prove he's her ally, he must convince Fer to convince Duddy to sign over all that money to Barb immediatemente. And it's torture to be around Fer, to smell her aroma, yadda yadda.
  
  
• Fer tells gloomy Gus, formerly known as Santi, via telephone, how great Fr/Ed is and she'd marry him in a heartbeat if he'd quit this plan to marry Errika, and how she trusts him as if she'd known him forever, yadda yadda. Santi is supportive, then hesitantly asks if she's heard anything about Aurora? No, but she's at the nunnery, maybe she wants to be a nun? "Maybe."
  
  
• Now while Esteve and Fr/Ed are chatting, Errika bursts in, uninvited and without knocking, in a very hyper state of giggling and spouting off about thousands of flowers in the church for the wedding, and she's being interviewed as a vunder-bride by Glamour Magazine, etc...
  
  ... and she doesn't notice Fr/Ed has a long face like somebody just ran over his favorite pet turtle. She gets more manic, blabbing about mariachis dressed in white and gold, and some tenor singing Ave Maria. "Tenor?" Fr/Ed repeats weakly, I guess to prove he's listening.
  
  "Err, I was thinking of something small and intimate..." "Hah, that's a laugh, the guest list is 1,200, and speaking of which, where's your list?" "I dunno: Esteve, Margarita, Jacinto, maybe ten." "Family? Friends from the U.S.?" "Uh, no, they can't come." She asks for the birth certificate, she snatches it with a huge grin. Don't you love the way they shoot her with big, big vases in the foreground?
  
  Then she asks for one more paper: a baptismal certificate. "Surely you didn't forget?" "Uh, when my parents died everything was lost." She sez no matter, she knows a great priest, he'll help: it's father Bosco!
  
  Fr/Ed remembers Bosco begging him: "Let this be the last time we ever see each other." Oh well, no sacred promise to a priest can stand before Errika's inexorable demands. Fr/Ed says ok. "Then we'll go see Father Bosco tomorrow."
  
  Esteve goes out to get more coffee. Err gets close to Fr/Ed and says, "I swear you'll fall in love with me - and I'll be the most passionate wife ever. Do you like me?" "Yeah, I guess so." She kisses his reluctant closed lips. He thinks of England. She leaves. Esteve: "Just get married, my friend, move far away with Err, and try to forget this nightmare."
  
  Fr/Ed sez he can't - he has to take care of Fer and Lili. "Do you really think you can free Lili?"
  
  Fr/Ed says Barb has been different lately, tense. It's odd that she's in such a tearing hurry for the money when she's been patient so many years. He thinks she has a new plan, a new agenda, not about the money, not related to Artemio...
  
  
• Damian hasn't buttoned his shirt for weeks. I guess since he's unemployed he can dress like a gigolo if he wants. He meets Anibal in a parking lot, they trade insults, Anibal takes him off to some wall somewhere saying: "In future if you have to contact me, we'll meet here."
  
  To get straight to it, Anibal wants Damian to find a "specialist" to knock off Vladimir, who endangers Anibal's future cash - after all, mini-Vlad will inherit a big wad of Duddy's cash but only if he's an Elizalde.
  
  Damian, think! After Vlad is gone, who would be next, I wonder?
  
  Oh well, Dam accepts the future wad of cash (for eliminating Vlad) as surely as my donkey grabs a banana peel I dangle in front of his nose. Anibal: "Take care of this matter. I know nothing about it."
  
  
• Duddy tells Barb about his unpleasant meeting with Fer. As usual he says: "I didn't want to destroy the family this way, but I didn't want you out on the street."
  
  
• Ripoff! That whole by-the-ocean preview, it was just a dream! Fer dreams of being in Fr/Ed's arms by the water. For about fifteen minutes - then cut to commercial.
  
  It was odd seeing them trying to look happy and carefree when they've been so tense and irritable through the whole run of the novela so far.
  
  
• Fr/Ed tells Martina she should have her Doctor Boyfriend look at her dad - Fr/Ed thinks Silvestre needs a heart operation and is happy to pay for it, "I owe him so much." Oops, update: It was lazy of me not to go back and watch this part again when I couldn't read my scribbled notes. Novelera corrected me: it was an opthalmologist and cataract operation Silvestre needs. Thanks, Novelera.
  
  Martina and Loafly are about to go shopping for the big engagement party.
  
  
• Barb meets Damian at his hotel. He doesn't think it's a very nice hotel. She waves money at him and gives him his marching orders: snatch Aurora from the nunnery, don't touch a hair on her head or say one wrong word, take her to the Elizalde country place.
  
  "Then?" "Then, promise I'll never see you again," she says, "I used you, but I don't need you now. For the first time, I have a reason to live."
  
  
• Priscila cancels her escape to Toronto and throws her torn-up ticket in the trash, so of course we know Anibal will come along and find it and he does. They have a cold little exchange whereupon it's clear to each of them that the only prudent, wealth-increasing course is to stay together. Pris asks, "but what about Vladimir?" "Don't ask me about that again! Convince yourself he never existed ..."
  
  
• Dam meets with his cousin Jacobo; they review the Aurora-snatching plan. Then Damian asks if Jacobo knows any "specialists" - that would be, I wager, cement overcoat specialists.
  
  
• Fer calls Fr/Ed and asks him if they can meet at an obscure restaurant - she needs to talk about having quit her job at Lactos.
  
  They meet. He tells her he thinks Barb has some new scheme of her own and that for some reason he, Fr/Ed, is indispensable in its execution. He reveals: "There's no limit to her evil - now, my job is to convince you to get Duddy to give over all the loot right this minute!"

Tomorrow: in that out-of-the-way little restaurant where Fer and Fr/Ed are having their cozy tete-a-tete, three gossipy friends of Errikas see them - and take cellphone pictures. Oh frabjous day!

Labels: manana

Capítulo 138

First a little redux: In her office at the Elizalde Den of Iniquities [antro de perdición], aka, Grupo, Barbara threatens Fr/Eduardo that if he does not keep Bravo’s existence to himself the two Elizalde sisters will meet a horrific end. Flor informs Fernanda, meanwhile, that Fr/Ed came looking for her but La Sra. Barbara snatched him up and dragged him into her office before Flor had a chance to let Fer know he was there.

At the same time, the Giggle Girls, both Sr. and Jr., --yep, Dolly and Errika-- are picking the church they want for the botch job of the century: the wedding with Mr. Wonderful, Franco Sexy Santoro, Mexican Man of Mystery, the Phenom of Pheremones. They are told that Err will need to get Franco’s baptismal records if the two plan to get married in that church. Err mistakenly (we could say cognomenally) thinks that will be a snap.

Once again at D.O.I. Central, Fer interrupts Fr/Ed and Babs. Fer lies that her papi urgently needs to see Babs. Fr/Ed lies also and says he was there to speak with Fer since she’d…er…supposedly asked him to meet her there. Fer catches his drift and exits. Before Bitch Barbie heads off for her doddering doofus of dote’s office, she warns Fr/Ed again to stay mum.

When Babs enters Gonzo’s office, she immediately realizes that Fer lied to her about her hubby’s needing to see her. Gonzo takes advantage of the supposed miscommunication and tells La Barbie [Argentine slang for trophy wife --ed.] that he’s made some changes to his will.

Fer explains that she lied to Barbara about Daddy because she had the feeling that she needed to get Fr/Ed out of La Hiena’s office. Fr/Ed said he’s glad that she did. He explains that he also fibbed about Fer asking to see him and says now Barbara thinks Fer is “interested” in him. Fer is like, “Ok? --And?” So the reason was that he needed to tell her that he saw Lili again and managed to finish all but a few pages of Ana Gregoria’s diary. He says he understands more now about where Artemio Bravo’s hatred for the Elizalde’s originated.

Adoring Babs is insistent that she never asked Gonzalo to include her in his will, nor does she want a single peso. Babs is upset and offended that he might think she’s only interested in his money. (Gonzo, say it ain’t so! Somebody buy this guy a vowel.) Now his children will throw it back in her face that they were disinherited all because of her. No, no. She doesn’t want a single peso. Gonzo once again appears confused at Babs’ unexpected response (–and nobody does confused better than Gonzo).

In another part of D. of I., Anibal tells Priscila that he just found out his dopey Daddy has decided to give 60% of his fortune to La Barbie and the remaining 40% to his supposed grandson once he is born. The only thing they and the others will get is the hacienda, thank you very much (not). Essentially he’s pretty much disinherited his children and made her bastard child a millionario. The worst of it, he says, is that if they end up divorcing, the whole thing goes to Barbara.

Before Babs leaves Gonzo’s office she gets a call from Damian telling her that he’s got the perfect plan to get Aurora out of the convent and everything is set to go as planned. Dam warns her that if she wants it done right that she’s going to have to pay the people doing the job whatever they demand. She smiles and says that’s just fine with her. Gonzo sees the big smile on her face and wonders who she was talking to. BB lies and says it was the dress designer. Gonzo is duped a-gain.

Meanwhile, Fr/Ed finishes telling Fer how her grandmother, Altagracia, took advantage of her grandfather, Don Jeronimo’s, being away on a trip to throw Ana Gregoria out of the hacienda once her bastard baby was born. Fer starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together and concludes Soledad and Eduardo were eventually separated to keep Sole from revealing Bravo’s secret. “So then, that was the reason Bravo sent Barbara to the hacienda, to keep my nana far away from the hacienda.” Fr/Ed nods. She asks him if he might be able to get the diary out of there but Fr/Ed reminds her that something like the diary disappearing could cost Lili her life. She wonders then if her father knows about Bravo. Fr/Ed says no; that Bravo’s power is based solely on the fact that her father has been totally unaware that from childhood he’s had a mortal enemy who's been stalking him his entire life.

Fer wonders how Barb came to be Bravo’s “instrument of vengeance”, but Fr/Ed says he doesn’t know. It will take time for them to find out. Fer agrees, especially now that Barb doesn’t trust him since she lied to Barbara to get him alone long enough so they could talk. Fr/Ed admits that it bothers him because Barbara controls so much of what happens with Lili and if Barb suspects he betrayed her to Fer, Lili will be lost to them forever. Fernanda says they’ll have to do something that will be sure to make her continue to trust him.

Back in AnyBalls’ office, Pris is scandalized by her hubby’s “diabolical” plans. AB says he refuses to be disinherited on account of Barbara or to let the family fortune or the company go to the woman. Pris asks if he really is willing to still stay married to her knowing that her baby isn’t his. AB says with what the kid stands to inherit, it more than makes up for the boredom and annoyance they both feel over it. Pris wonders what he’s going to do then about Vladimir. AB says the guy’s a hindrance that they’ll have to get out of the way. [hacerse a otro lado]

Fer has a solution to the problem with Barbara but Fr/Ed objects. He doesn’t want to put Fernanda’s reputation in doubt. [en entredicho] Fer says it doesn’t matter to her what they think of her as long as Barbara believes he’s still her unconditional ally. (Antennae now go up across the whole of Viewerville in anticipation the two of them finally throwing caution to the wind –and it’s about damn time, too!) Flor calls at that point to let Fer know La Sra. BOW is on her way over to Fer’s office. Fer cracks the door ajar and immediately hops onto Fr/Eddie’s lap, then lays a major liplock on the dude just as BB walks in sans the appropriate knock. Fer pretends to be embarrassed at being “discovered” in flagrante delicto. BB is appropriately scandalized by what she sees. Fr/Eddie seems distressed that Fernanda has finally allowed herself to be dishonored this way. (Viewerville, however, is on the edge of its seat demanding more.) Uni teases with video advances of the romantic possibilities as we head into and return from the crass commercial break…..

Back in Reception, Flor warns Denia to stay at the desk with her until she tells her otherwise --or else!

Barb appears to be definitely flustered and excuses herself. She tells Fer she was supposedly looking for Florecita and quickly shuts the door to give Fer and Fr/Ed their “privacy”, but not before throwing a nasty look at Fr/Eddie. Outside in the hallway BB thinks to herself that all right, it might be cheap of Fer, but it’s not such a bad idea having Franco get all hot and bothered over Ms. Goodie Two-Shoes that way.

Back inside Fer’s office, Fer and Fr/Ed try to pretend that what just happened was all in the line of duty. After all, the idea was to make sure Barbara doesn’t doubt his loyalty and believes he’s manipulating Fer by taking advantage of her affections, right? Those were BB’s intentions, he says. Of course, now she’ll be asking him loads of questions. Fer tells him to just tell Barbara that she simply took the bait [mordir el anzuelo = bit the hook], that being so distraught with her breakup with Damian, she just naturally threw herself at him looking for a bit of consolation in his arms. Fr/Eddie reluctantly agrees, even though, he says, it bothers him that it’s costing Fer her reputation.

Fer repeats that it doesn’t matter what her family thinks of her now, least of all what Barbara thinks of her--provided that whatever happens between them is done to free Lili. (Who are we kidding here?) Fr/Ed promises dutifully that he will free Lili if it’s the last thing he ever does. Both though, are obviously dying to admit to one another that this bogus beso in hopes of convincing Barb of his loyalty till Lili’s freedom is a done deal was really not a shameful sham at all.

Across the hall in his office, AnyBalls is now telling Pris that the only thing keeping Vlad from causing a scandal is that Vlad is convinced he is in control of the situation. She wants to know how he can be so sure of that, and what sort of agreement the two of them made. AB says what’s important is that they maintain her son’s inheritance. Pris insists on knowing what the agreement was first. He finally gives in and tells her he agreed to “hand over the bastard” to him. He would divorce her and then leave the way open for Vlad to try to win her over. Pris is spit-in-his-face impactada with this crude and most rude explanation.

Barb returns to her office and starts screaming through the speaker at Flor to get to her office immediately. (Hmmm. Maybe Barbie, with doofus Damian out of the way, was hoping for a little of this Franco action herself.) Flor races off and leaves her post at Reception.

Fernanda now tells Fr/Ed that she’s fine with continuing the farce, but she wants to know what’s to keep him from trying to manipulate her emotionally. She’s embarrassed to admit that she does feel something special for him, but….. Fr/Eddie considers his response. “Time, Fernanda. In time I’ll show you that I’m a man of my word.” “--Your word? You’re cheating on my best friend and harassing Gardenia, and now I’m forced by circumstances to pretend that we’re having an affair solely to save the life of my sister. So tell me. If you were in my place would you feel cool and collected? Would you feel assured?” Fr/Ed looks her in the eye and measures his words carefully. (Viewerville shares a collective swoon.) “—No, Fernanda.” “—Well then? What do you suggest I do?” “—I would like to give you sufficient reason to make you believe in me…..” Fer says that she can’t because she hasn’t any reason to trust him; however, for some unaccountable reason there’s something that tells her she should.

Fr/Eduardo thinks to himself, “Perhaps it might be because your heart senses that I’m Eduardo Juarez, the man who will love you till he dies.” He takes Fer’s hand gently in his and looks soulfully into her eyes. “I love you, Fernanda. That’s the honest truth.” (Viewerville lets out a collective sigh.) She wants to know if he will really marry Errika. He says he will. She pulls her hand away. How can he marry Errika if he doesn’t love her??? He straightens his back. He gave his word, he says. She gets angry and yells back in frustration. “All the same, you’re deceiving her!!” No, he tells her, he is not. Errika knows he’s in love with another woman; what she doesn’t know, he explains, is that Fernanda is that woman. They look into each other’s eyes with longing and share a bittersweet moment of self-denial. (Viewerville sniffles and tearfully searches for a hanky while…) Fer tries to deal.

We beam back to AnyBalls’ office. Pris is trying to get her head around why her hubby would possibly recognize her son as his. He obviously needs her son to get what he wants, she says. “I see you understand.” “—And what if I refuse?” “—You can’t refuse your son’s being born a millionaire. It only remains for us to finalize the details. You will need to put a price on it.” (Ya gotta admit the guy’s a born businessman for all his failed attempts so far.) “--There’s no doubt about that, Anibal! First, both of us will decide what happens with Vladimir Piñeiro.” He asks if what happens to the guy is that important to her. She says her contempt for Piñeiro is only surpassed by the contempt she holds for him. She only wants to know where Piñeiro is because she never ever wants to cross paths with the man again. Fine. AB wants to know if there’s anything else.

Pris says yes, there is. Her child is to be hers alone and AB’s role is to play the doting father because it’s in his best interest to do so, or otherwise…. “—or otherwise what???” “--Or otherwise I swear on my son’s soul that I myself will shout for the whole world to know [gritar a los cuatro vientos] that Vladimir Piñeiro is his real father, even if it means that Don Gonzalo or my own father disinherits him! --But you, I will leave you destitute. So now, what will it be, Anibal?” AB’s mental calculator starts assessing the diminishing returns of that losing proposition.

Across the hall, BOW starts giving Flor the third degree about why she couldn’t be found at her desk and where Santoro was now. Flor tells her he’s still with Fer. The bad-ass bitch barks to Flor to send him to her office the minute he leaves Fernanda’s.

Pris and AB come to some sort of agreement. Pris wants to know what he plans to do to erase Vladimir from their lives. He’ll have to think that one over carefully. She says fine, but to do it quick and BTW, the kid is NOT going to be called Vladimir. (10 points, Team Priscila!) It’ll be Anibal, just like his father is!! (Scratch that ten. They’re both rotten choices.)

Fer now is trying to understand Fr/Eduardo’s strange idea that love and marriage don’t necessarily go together. “--Oh really? So what happens with happiness? Or do you believe a couple can live happily together without love?” He says it just seems to him that love doesn’t ensure happiness for people who get married. (He knows this because? Both Viewerville and Fer try to get their heads around that one.) Love is just something the two can only hope for, he says. (Dude, you are in definite need of a deflowering yourself and fast! Is there a Mexican Dr. Laura to verbally shock some sense into this lost little lamb?) Fer says they’ll have to agree to disagree about that and she’s darned lucky he’s with Errika if she’s really okay with this arrangement, cuz no way Fer would ever consider accepting a man under those circumstances. (Dude, take a freekin’ hint. You’re acting like such a major loser here.) After all, she’d actually hoped to be happy and in love with Dam, she admits. It was a big mistake, of course, but then, who is she to judge, she says.

Fr/Ed bends over towards Fer and starts to say something else just as Denia enters with the coffee that neither of them asked for. The two of them pull away, guiltily, as Denia shoots daggers at Fr/Eddie and he scowls back at her. Fer looks a bit awkward as she remembers the whopper Denia told her about Fr/Ed’s supposed unwarranted approaches.

Alone in his office now, AnyBalls is mentally churning through the last couple of untied ends concerning Dam and Vlad. “One will take me to the other: the discretion of that cretin, Gallardo; and Vladmir’s silence.” At the same time, it seems Pris is taking care of Vlad her own way. She’s on the phone with him. Vlad’s telling her not to worry about her husband because he promised he wouldn’t harm her. She acts glad to hear it. He says he’s thrilled to think that soon the two of them will be together along with their baby. Pris rolls her eyes at the dummy’s mushy chatter. (Anybody else figure this poor shlub took the short bus when he was in short pants?) She asks him to be patient about things since it’s been so-o-o difficult for Anibal to accept their situation. He promises he will and, of course, if she needs anything, all she has to do is call him and he’ll be there (♪♪). He sends his love and millions of kisses, which he noisily demonstrates on the phone “swak, swak, swak, swak, swak.” (Viewerville admits to sharing an irrepressibly nauseating moment here in solidarity with the prickly Pris. Blech! Double blech!)

Denia comes back to the reception desk and gives her cousin, Flor, Hell for trying to be too cute by half. Flor is in a rush getting the guest list ready for BOW. Denia accuses her of pimping for Eduardo. [alcahuete = intermediator/procurer for lovers] Flor has no clue what she’s talking about. Denia accuses her of covering up for Ed and Fernanda so that they could be alone together to do …whatever comes naturally. Flor loses her patience and asks what does it matter what the two of them do together. After all, Flor has warned her off Eduardo. Denia says of course it matters to her and a lot. She’s really fed up and if she finds out the two of them are having an affair together, who knows what she’s capable of? Denia then storms off mumbling to herself to deliver her coffee orders. Flor is impactadissima that her fatally attracted and fickle cousin might be ready to spill the holy frijoles and put everyone involved in danger.

Fernanda has one last request, now that it’s uncertain how things are going to shake out. [desencadenar] Fr/Ed says ask away. Whatever she wants. What she wants is to meet Artemio Bravo. She knows it will be difficult but she wants to look into the eyes of the man who has done so much harm to her and to her family. Fr/Eddie-Boy takes a deep breath. “One more thing. I want to read Ana Gregoria’s diary.” (The gal doesn’t ask much, does she?) He says he’ll do whatever he can to make it so. She thanks him. He says he thanks her. The two share another soulful stare into each other’s eyes. He caresses her cheek and then leaves. Fer turns away from the door. “¡Ay! Franco, Franco, my love. My secret love…my forbidden love.” Violins play sorrowfully in the background. She sighs. We sigh…...

Flor catches Fr/Eduardo on the way out and sends him back to La Sra. Barbara’s office. She thinks to herself that it’s got to be a real burden on his shoulders. To make matters worse, Denia hasn’t helped by lying to Fernanda about him, either.

Back in BB’s, Fr/Ed is forced to give in detail a rundown of what she just saw happen between him and Fernanda.

Flor takes the opportunity to pay a visit to Fer and give her the dirt on Denia. “There’s something you need to know about my cousin, Gardenia. It’s a secret of hers, but when that secret is a lie that causes pain and embitters, you need to probably say so.” Fernanda is all ears. “Don Franco didn’t kiss Gardenia. She was the stalker.” [la lanzada = workplace slang for being loose with or hitting on your boss or co-worker.] Fer is now eyes-opened-wide impactada. “Truthfully?” “—Yes.” “—Why? Why would she do that?” “--Well, since there were no witnesses, when she found out you saw her she thought it was easier just to put the blame on Don Franco.” Fernanda is floored. Flor explains in a rush that she shouldn’t think Flor is one to gossip like this, but she doesn’t think that a man who’s a perfect gentleman should be wronged, either. “Especially because he is never, never going to be interested in [echarle la cabeza] my cousin, ever.”

Meanwhile, Fr/Ed tries to get Barbara to take the bait. He laughs at the way Fernanda’s distress over her failed marriage has made her emotionally vulnerable and easy prey for them. Barb isn’t buying it. This isn’t the step-daughter she knows. Besides, she’s wondering where his reluctance to get involved with her suddenly went. “Barbara, they say in these parts that spite and disillusioned love don’t make the best counselors, although in our case they are working to our advantage, don’t you agree?” She thinks he looks a little too self-satisfied. He asks how could he not be, since Fernanda is in such need of consolation; and that is exactly what she wanted –to keep her under her control—while the two of them allow all the pieces of their plan to fall into place like they agreed.

BB says she’s not convinced and she thinks his loyalty towards her is questionable. “Frankly, I’ve lost confidence in you, Sr. Santoro.” He asks what he has to do to regain it. She tells him that if he really has Fernanda wrapped around his little finger, then he must get her to convince her father to change his will giving 100% of his fortune to Barbara without waiting for his grandson’s birth. (No big deal, right?)

At the same time, Anibal tells Fer that their father has decided to divide his will up while he’s still alive. Everything will go to either Babs or his grandson and there’s no changing his mind. She can understand wanting to provide for his grandson, but what is totally absurd is that he thinks he needs to give the rest of it to Barbara because of some worry that she’ll be left unprotected. “And what about Camilo, you, me or Liliana--the most helpless of us all-- being abandoned? No, I’ll have to talk to him about this.” AB says he already tried and failed. Nanda says, well, through Powhere Meelk, she’s got a career to carry her through, and she has no complaints about what his son receives, but what sticks in her craw is his leaving every bit of the rest in Barbara’s name. “It’s totally absurd!” No argument there. She leaves to see Papi. AB smiles to himself in anticipation, knowing that Fernanda has the magic touch where Daddy Gonzo is concerned.

La Barbie tells Fr/Ed that he has got to convince Fernanda as soon as possible. She wants the money and Powhere Meelk wants control of Grupo. It’s in both their interest for him to get this transfer done immediately. He asks if there’s some underlying reason for this urgency she’s possibly not told him? Barb says only time. She wants to distance herself from this place yesterday. He says he feels the same way. “Well, then, you know now what you have to do.”

Fer sits down with Gonzo and tells him that Anibal has explained what he plans to do with his will. She can’t understand why he’s decided to do it this way. He gets defensive and says he’s got the right to make sure the two weakest people in his life are protected once he’s dead and gone. He is not going to risk Barbara falling on hard times. Fer is incredulous. “You think Barbara is weak and defenseless? What about the rest of us? What about poor Lili? You think she isn’t weak and defenseless?” Hackles go up on Gonzo’s hoary backside. “Naturally Barbara is going to watch over her!” Fer snarks back. “—Barbara?!!”

“—Why are you surprised since she hasn’t done a single thing other than to care for you all since she arrived at our home?” Gonzo points an accusatory finger at her. Fer asks if Barbara really promised him that she was going to take care of Lili. Gonzo stands up and says discussion over. There’s no reason to say anything more since he trusts his wife fully to look after Lili for the rest of her life. (Well if it’s the rest of Lili’s life we’re talking about here, she isn’t long for this world, ¿no crees?) Fer asks if this means he doesn’t trust his children now or what. He looks defiantly back at her and says nothing, and of course, that says it all. “I’m sorry to have lost you all, but trust is like crystal and when it breaks nothing can repair it.” Fer cannot believe what she’s hearing. “—So you don’t trust me?”

Daddy Dearest looks down his nose at Fer and says he’s sorry, because he knows this has got to be very painful (not as painful as it’s going to get for you, but hey….) but he’s not changing his mind and that’s that! Fer stands up to challenge him. “Not even if I were to tell you, Dad, that Barbara is a shrewish hellcat?” Blood starts gorging Gonzo’s brain. His eyes go wide as his blood pressure rises from the anger he feels at Fer getting in the last word on his beloved Barbie (and boy, did she ever!)

Said bitch is now searching real estate sites on the net to find a house to hide Aurora. It’s got to be sufficiently discrete to make sure that neither the Elizaldes nor Artemio Bravo can ever find her. She says to herself, she’ll sign the papers as soon as she’s settled the score [ajustar cuentas] with the devil who ruined her life.

Fernanda tries to get her father to see the light. “Open your eyes, Dad. The woman is robbing you of your self-will.” Gonzo yells back that he can’t believe she would talk this way about his wife. He reaches over and grabs her arm and shoves her down in her seat like a sassy child. “--the woman who pledged her life, her youth, her strength to you in supporting this home and holding this family together! You’re words confirm my decision is the right one. You’ve just given me a demonstration of how you’re going to confront Barbara when I’m no longer here!!” Fernanda can only stare in disbelief as he rants on. “—And you know what hurts my heart so deeply is that it is you precisely who will destroy a person that you owe so much to!! Ever since your mother died she worried herself with you, brought you up, and thought to send you out of the country to protect you from the pain of continuing to live in the house where your mother died!”

Fer tries to say something but before she can, Gonzo nearly suffers The Big One. She gets him water and he takes his nitro-g tabs. She asks him to forgive her because she didn’t mean for him to get this way. He stands up and screams at her again that he knows this is very difficult and painful for her, but she is going to have to understand that he is not going to change his mind!! Fer tries to get him to calm down. She measures her words. “I understand, but also you must comprehend the position you are leaving me in, Dad. The fact is I cannot remain at Lactos. As of this moment I resign. I’m sorry.” Gonzo stares angrily at this final betrayal from Fernanda.

Labels: manana