Caray, Caray!

Yes, there were mood swings galore tonight. But it's like that every night on Gancho. My lead should really be the great question: ¿Eres o te haces? (Loosely translated," Are you naturally idiotic or do you work at it?")

That is just a gem. Nieves lets go with this one when she confronts Beto about his silly suspicions of her. So keep that question in the back of your mind while we gallop through the events of tonight's episode. Sure, it applied to Beto, the longest breast-feeding hijo in the universe. But it could also apply to Ximena, Paula, Mauricio, Monita, Nieves herself, Oscar, Jeronimo. "¿Eres o te haces?" Heck, it could even apply to most of us.

Leaving those philosophical musings aside, let's backtrack. First, there's a little beso interruptus between Luisa and Ivan. Aldo storms up and says Don't touch my siser, imbecil. While back at home, Mauricio actually seems to prefer the thought of Ivan being with Aldo, Katja and Luisa at the movies because he can "protect" them. Teresa is flummoxed but wisely holds her ground and her tongue.

And included in the rehash is poor Rolu who can't hold his tongue or do much of anything with it. Condemned to just sitting there in a full-body cast, he's holding a sign asking Ximena to marry him (thanks to Jeronimo). Ximena's only momentarily entranced. She quickly launches into Three Things: she's not going to fall for that cheap joke, she knows he can't write in that cast, and something else I didn't get but who cares? The picture really gets murky when Ximensa can't remember if one blink means "yes" or "no". And our desperate Rolu launches into multiple frantic blinks which can only mean one thing: He's dying to marry her!

And frantic is the word for Beto and Monita who have discovered that Nieves is missing. No time to take those generic drugs sonny boy picked up, she headed out on a bus to find Isabel. Beto and Valentina storm down to the police station to report her missing. Christian informs them a woman answering Nieves' description has been exposing herself in public. Beto wonders if Mom's been taking hussy pills (pastillas de coscolinas) and is so relieved when the woman turns out to be someone else, he plants a solid kiss on the unknown hussy's lips. But wait! there's more. If that's not the one, the police have found one malodorous shoe (Beto sniffs it and identifies the stench as his madre) and Monita confirms the size. No problem. Now they're looking for the rest of the body. For some reason, this does not reassure our worried pair. But at least now we know the provenance of Beto's overwhelming aroma--it's in the genes.

Now that this burning question has been answered, we can focus on the continuing saga of Monita's elusive mother. Nieves contacts Mauricio for help on deciding whether or not to tell Monita about her mother. She thinks of Mauricio as "culto, viajado e intelligente" (educated, well-traveled, intelligent...that last is a stretch) and wants his advice. Of course she's also there to make sure Mauricio is not just using Valentina for a pastime and he seems to convince her. Now what to do about that "mala entraña" (heartless, callous) mother. Even though Isabel's dying, she doesn't want to face up to her daughter. What should Nieves do?

Back at the barrio, Val and Beto (and Estrella not so much) are still fretting about Nieves when lo! she appears. "Mala hierba nunca muere" quips our Star. Beto's overjoyed because he's hungry and missed the aroma of her stews and" milaneses con papas". Paula somehow thinks this is an opportunity to gossip about Gabriela but no one wants to hear. So then let's dish about Monita's hunky boyfriend. Nope, she's not on board with that either. They're feuding again. Paula makes another stab at discussing infidelity and Gaby and relationships and what have you but no dice. Eres o te haces?

And the group still hasn't established where Nieves was all this time. Well, er, she was at a funeral? All this time? NO WAY. Well, then be happy she's "vivito and coleando" (alive and kicking). Yeah, kicking it up with whom, snarls Beto. Well, no matter, he'll forive her if she'll make those yummy enchiladas for him. Poor woman, barely out of the hospital, exhausted from a five hour going and coming bus trip, emotional confrontation with both Isabel and Mauricio., now relegated to the kitchen. Makes you want to swear off motherhood, doesn't it?

Suddenly we're flipped back to the movie theatre where Aldo and Ivan are mending fences. Aldo is speaking wistfully of lovers from two different worlds having to give up a relationship and Katja assumes he's speaking about her. She'll find out differently later. In the meantime, Aldo reminds Ivan that even if he and Luisa are novios, another kiss like that and he'll break his face and a few teeth besides. Okay then. Setting boundaries.

Monita's curled up in bed trying to relax. Pounding at the door. Go away! Whoops, it's Mauricio. He came to see how she was. Did he do wrong? He's bothered by her boxing. He doesn't like the idea of her being hit. He wants to protect her.

Monita sets him straight. His mistrust hurts her a lot more than any punch could do. She accepts his three kids. They're a family. Why can't he accept her "family" of Beto and Nieves. I will never abandon them like my mother did me! Mauricio looks suitably glum, does a little Latino stonewalling number (or should we call this a well-practiced male pout and sulk, Carlos?)
and leaves.

Now at the gymnasium, Monita pounds the punching bag while reminiscing about her fruitless searches for her mother. And Mauricio? Well, he did more than sulk. He went to find Isabel himself. The lady, quite cool and collected, informs him that she knew he'd come. And like Nieves, she wants to know if indeed, he really loves Monita and would do anything for her. He does and he would. And he thinks the two should get together. She disagrees. She's not looking for "me", she doesn't know the type of monster I am. He assures her that Monita would forgive anything. Well, you're a businessman so I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse. And on that cliffhanger, we break for an ad.

Of course, when we come back, we don't know what the offer actually was. It's been made and Mauricio is loath to answer. But he finally does...and agrees. Should he sign something? No, his word is good enough. And now she will go with him to Mexico City. Ay yi yi...big mystery!

Back to the gym now. Don Cesar with his electrified hair, is dressed in matching lilac and pink along with Monita. This has me so entranced I could hardly follow the dialogue but it's essentially this. Jab, jab, a boxer is only as good as his left! Got that?

Monita though is still walking down Memory Lane and it's a painful stroll. We see her mother, very 80's looking, fending off a clinging Valentina while Nieves, also outrageously 80's, begs her to stay. Beto consoles her and after Isabel complains that she's like a "chango" (monkey) clamped to her, he promises her his tender care and reassures her that she's a "monita preciosa" (pretty little monkey). This memory brings on another flurry of hard punches.

As for the mysterious contract, Isabel won't even tell Alicia what it is. But she assures her that she'll see Monita and ask for her forgiveness. However she doesn't want her to know of her illness. One day, she'll have to know, remarks Alicia and when she does, I know "she'll do it for you" (I assume this means the bone marrow donation.)

Pretty heavy stuff but they flip us back again to some humor in the barrio. Nieves is asking Beto to wash his hands for supper. No way is he dining with a "vieja coscolinas" (old brazen hussy). Seems the fellow whose funeral she attended was seen walking around the neighborhood today. Busted.

Well heck, we have more lighthearted stuff. We can always count on Ximena, right? A plastered blinking Rolu is now subjected to hearing all the wedding plans: plans our Ximena has been working on since age 10. There's the dress. And then the decorations...a little "ochentosos" (eighties in style) but no matter. And the church! And the date! How about next Sunday? Super. More frantic blinking. Fab. Means he likes the idea.

Nieves is still in hot water. If she wasn't carousing with some old fart, where was she? Seems she was at Old Doll's Hair house. Even worse. You're trading me in for him!? ¿ERES O TE HACES? They work it out, namely because Beto find out she's cooked "milaneses" and if they get cold, he doesn't know how to warm them up. Our independent lad takes off for dinner. Maternal problem solved. But more problems to come. Monita has overheard the conversation. Learns that Nieves knows something about her mom and heads over to Mauricio's to find out what's up.

More light stuff, thank goodness. The three amigos, Jerry, Oscar and Constanza, are having a wet lunch and cooking up plans. She's tired of hearing about Ximena's wedding project. She just wants Monita and Mauricio separated. As for the adoption, she can handle that herself. But break up that couple, you two baboons! Agreed. They toast, especially since Constanza is a lot nicer with a second martini under her itty bitty belt.

More minor shenanigans. Monita's at the office looking for Mau. She's waylaid by Gabriela who's looking for friendship. Seems with Paula's gossip about her, she's become a pariah in the office. The only way she can clean up her reputation is to hook up with Oscar. (Eres or te haces, Gabriela?)

Oh dear. Back to menacing music and the cool, collected,seemingly heartless Isabel. She's arrived at the barrio and confronts a hostile Nieves. I've changed my mind. I've come back. Dum de dum dum.

Anvils are falling at the office also. Monita wants to know what Mau and Nieves talked about. Beto, he answers. Lies! screams Moni. She told you something about my mother and I want to know what it was. What follows is the usual sturming and dranging that we've been through before. I'll never forgive her. I'll never forgive you for going behind my back. You know, the same old borderline personality I HATE YOU! DON'T LEAVE ME! stuff these telenovelas run on. After Monita storms out, Mauricio, our culto, viajado e intelligente galan, muses that maybe he did wrong. ¿Eres o te haces?)

The two madres are running a bit of sturm and drang themselves, only sotto voce. (How's that for throwing in a lot of furrin words?) Isabel is promising to be the mother Monita always wanted. And with a sweetly romantic story about how she came to be conceived. Not the ugly truth. Promise me you will never tell her that, she entreats Nieves. After all, I'm sick...dying. If you really love Monita as you say you do, you'll agree to this.

Back to the whippersnappers. Ivan and Aldo are horsing around in the yard. Ivan calls him "cuñado" and Aldo tells him to cool it. He doesn't want Teresa to find out about Ivan's forbidden romance and call a halt to all those doughnuts he's been scarfing. The talk turns to Estrella and the impossible love Aldo was referring to earlier. Katja overhears, and even though Aldo calls Katja his "chava" (his girl) she knows she's running second-best in the romance department. Aldo "sigue clavado con ella" (Aldo's still hooked on Estrella).

Estrella, meanwhile, is being treated pretty roughly by Monita who's in a black mood indeed. Our feisty redhead tells her to stuff it (bajale a tu caracter). After all, Estrella's been her most loyal friend in the barrio. Take that girlfriend! Monita goes back to her boxing and Estrella promises they'll talk later.

And our other girlfriend? The very misunderstood Gabriela? Well, she's trying to rehab the rep by planning out loud a rendezvous with Oscar. Give him this letter, please, she tells the comely receptionist. We'll dine at my house at 9pm. But I'm on my way to the hairdressers; and then on to Connie's lingerie store to pick up something sexy for this evening. Wink wink.

Paula intervenes. She wants that letter. Right now. She's got a lot of power here. She's in the union. So hand it over. Totally misunderstanding the intent, she assumes the letter is for Salvador. And tells him Gaby will be waiting for him nude. No need to see the actual letter. Tidy Paula tears it up. We'll definitely stay tuned for tomorrow. And hoping Kris gives us pictures.

Now we find ourselves at Connie's apartment. Katja's wailing about Aldo's infatuation. There's some dissing of Estrella ("pinta de zorra"...looks like a slut) and equal opportunity dissing of Beto (your scummy chauffeur) and then the 411 on Luisa's noviocito Ivan. There's some news that Connie can use. All in good time.

Brief scene with cutie pie Dany playing tea party. Mauricio is supposed to be taking the part of Monita but he's trying to think through his decision with Isabel. Was it wrong? He thinks so. Backs out of the tea party and tries to back out of the contract but Isabel won't let him. I'm just a few yards away from my daughter's gym and I'm going to play to repentant mother.

The two women meet. Tears seem to be brimming in both their eyes. Stay tuned y'all!

Previews:
The usual crazy stuff. Salvador and Gabriela are hot to trot and the dinner table explodes in fire.
Mona appears to be knocked out in the ring.
Connie is vowing to deep-six Mauricio with her new knowledge.
And Monita and her mother have their long-awaited confrontation.

Vocabulary:
mala entraña = heartless, callous
del tingo al tango = all over the place, everywhere
vivito y coleando = alive and kicking
no manches = no kidding
pastillas de coscolinas = hussy pills
marchita por dentro = all withered inside (Monita's mom)
zarrapastroso = scruffy person (Katja referring to Beto)
pinta de zorra = slutty look

Dicho of the Day:
Estrella's dismissal of Nieves. "Hierba mala nunca muere". Weeds never die.

Labels: gancho

Friday: Macarena wings her way to a permanently Carlota-free zone. Paloma is in hysterics.

But unfortunately the rest of us are all still stuck here with Carlota. In the waiting room, she tells Dr B that she has the right to go in and hear whatever it is that Mac says to Chris and Paloma. It’s her right, dammit! Camila, Rufi, Orlando and Emiliano are taken aback by her rant. Dr B says no way.

A nurse rushes up to get Dr B and off he runs, Carlota in tow. Those left behind wring their hands.

Dr B and the nurse and Carlota arrive in the hospital room to find the sad scene. No puede ser! exclaims Carlota disingenuously. She puts her arms around Paloma, who is sure Mac is going to revive any minute. Dr B says no, she’s gone. Paloma screams and runs down the hall. Chris wants to follow her, but Carlota catches his arm and says no, Paloma wants to be alone.

Dr B weeps over Mac and says te amo. He leaves. Chris walks in, Carlota following and eyeing him. As he stands at the end of the bed, Carlota says who is standing in front of Macarena, the man or the priest? He says It grieves me that your heart never learned to love, it really does.

Carlota gets down to business. Did she tell you anything? Like what? says Chris. Carlota says, well she wanted to talk to you and Paloma, she must have wanted to tell you something. Canny Chris says if you’re so sure there was something, tell me what it was that she had to say to us. Carlota glares at him and leaves.

Alone now, Chris tenderly looks at Mac and holds her hand.

Paloma rushes into Emiliano’s arms, wailing. Everyone in the waiting room, which also includes Inez and a church lady, weeps. Rufi and Camila are devastated. Carlota comes slowly down the hall and makes a show of leaning on a wall and weeping. Paloma goes from Emiliano’s arms and holds onto Carlota. Rufi thoughtbubbles Why now, when she was just starting to be happy again?

Carlota wails that Mac has left them alone, that it’s just her and Paloma now.

Still at the bedside, Chris wonders why Mac was taken just at this moment. What does it mean? Was it meant as a punishment for him? (Maybe that giant M of light on the church floor meant “murder” instead of “Macarena.” It’s tricky reading signs.) He says when I first thought you were dead, I just about went crazy. And now you’re dead for real. I don’t think I can live without you without the priesthood.

Emiliano is comforting Paloma. She says first my parents, then Inaki and now my mother. Emiliano says they are terrible blows. Paloma says why? I want to understand. Is God testing me? Emiliano tells her she’s not alone, he will always be with her.

Chris is kneeling silently at Mac’s bedside when Dr B comes in and says they have to remove her now. I wish you’d known her better, says Dr B. Her heart was as big as her soul. I know, says Chris, gazing soulfully into the middle distance. Dr B says you do? I guess it was obvious to everyone. I was going to take her away, give her the life she deserved. She and her niña Paloma. It’s all the will of God, I guess. But it’s hard to think she was taken so young.

Chris steps back, tearful, and Dr B says Macarena, we will see each other again in another place. Thank you for helping me to feel again, to love again. Chris blesses her.

It’s really something that Macarena has two fine and handsome men weeping at her deathbed. When I go, I will probably have the company of a gum-chewing nurse reading People magazine. Sigh.

Romina has come and Paloma gives her the news. Romina is surprised and looks genuinely shaken– she had thought it was just another sugar crises. Behind Paloma, Emiliano is watching Romina closely. It’s hard to tell how sincere Romina is, or if she’s just aware of Emiliano’s gaze. Romina says count on me. It’s no fair – first your parents and then your novio and now your aunt. Romina! says Emiliano warningly. It’s true, says Romina, tears falling.

Carlota calls Paloma away. Romina says to Em How long have you been here? All along, he says. Romina dries up and says every time anything happens to Paloma, you’re right there. You know, this just shows that death can grab anyone and that we need to tell the people we love that we love them. Hint hint.

Em says straighten things out with your mother – she misses you. He leaves. Romina huffs.

Camila asks Rufi how it all happened. Rufi talks about how she was making breakfast, how Mac had been looking for papers that Carmen brought, how Carlota had been holed up in her room since the night before, mad about something. Camila asks if maybe Mac and Carlota had been fighting, but Rufi said she didn’t hear anything and besides Mac had been in such a good mood.

Rufi goes on about the missing papers – that they were supposed to change everyone’s life, but mainly Paloma’s. Carlota, approaching from the hall, hears this morsel and stops to eavesdrop. Rufi says maybe she found the papers and read something in them that made her lose her balance and fall.

Camila says we have to find those papers! We have to find out how this happened! Mac was my confidant, my friend. Camila weeps copiously. Rufi says she was like the daughter I never had. Around the corner, Carlota thoughtbubbles that she has to find those papers first.

At Diana’s house, we see Romina getting into a little black dress while Diana, still puffed up and spotty with hives, watches. Romina laments that Em is always around Paloma. Diana says I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, but Em told me he was in love with someone. It figures that it must be Paloma. That little runt must have something attractive about her. The best course would be to be very attentive to her. Romina says I just can’t stand seeing them together. Diana if you’re smart, you’ll put up with it, and stick yourself to her like duct tape.

Dr B offers to Carlota that he will arrange the service, but Carlota says it’s for the family to do. He wants to know how it happened and Paloma says I need to know too.

Coming down the hospital hallway, Orlando has his arm over Chris’s shoulders and says I know what Mac meant to you. They arrive in the waiting room.

Carlota says I was getting dressed, and I heard that Mac got a phone call. I don’t know who it was – she slides her eyes over at Chris. Maybe that call upset her. She was fine before that – we’d just been talking. We’ll never know what might have happened to her, or what she heard, before she fell. Carlota pretends to break down and Paloma runs to her. Sobbing.

Orlando says to Chris are you okay? Chris says no. I don’t know if I can ever be okay again.

Emiliano is at German’s, putting on his tie, and telling German about it all. German says he’ll just finish up his e-mails and he’ll be along. Em leaves.

Paloma, attired in black up to her neck, is in Mac’s room, kneeling at Mac’s little altar. Carlota comes in and says it’s time to go, but Paloma says I don’t know how I’ll live without her. She was my mother. Carlota says she’s so relieved that Paloma knows the truth and that she and Mac were able to embrace one another as mother and child. Carlota asks Did she say anything to you before she died? Paloma says just that I should fight for my happiness.

Carlota says is that all? Paloma says she could hardly speak. Why do you ask? Carlota does the boo-hoo act and says I was hoping she’d have some words for me. Paloma goes to her and hugs her and over Paloma’s shoulder we see Carlota smirking.

Paloma says she will always be here in the house with us. Carlota says no, she’s gone. But this house won’t be the same without her.

They go down the stairs, but Carlota hesitates. Paloma near the bottom spots where her mother’s blood has stained the tiles. Rufi comes out and walks her away. On the stairs, Carlota’s eyes grow wide a second. She looks at the space where the window was, then down, and she sees Mac’s body there, pool of blood and all. She looks disconcerted. I’m wondering how she can fit this into those prayers of hers where she tells God she does everything she does in order to keep the family together.

Padre Mateo comes into a church sitting room and finds Chris staring. He offers his apologies and says you have to be resigned. God knows the reason. Chris leaps up and says how can I be resigned? He bursts into tears. Just give me one reason – one! - why God would take the woman I’ve loved all these years. Padre M says careful, don’t offend God.

Chris says I prayed for a sign, and I got one. And then when I was ready to act, she’s taken from me. Why?? Accept it says Padre M. Chris says He doesn’t seem to like me. Padre M says obviously your mission here isn’t finished yet. Maybe serving a mass would brighten you up a little. Chris wails no! And certainly not her mass. Without her, I can’t serve God. He falls into Padre M’s arms and wails. Padre M, who doesn’t seem to be up to complicated challenges, looks heavenward for guidance.

We’re at the wake. Everyone (read: our characters) is there, in black, weeping or looking appropriately gloomy. Paloma wishes she’d die along with Mac. Em holds her and says what would I do without you? Carlota pulls her aside and says it doesn’t look right, her hanging on her friend’s ex-novio, and Paloma can come to her for comfort.

Mateo comes up to them and gives his condolences and says he’s ready to start the mass. Carlota says you? What about Padre Juan?

JuanChris is sitting alone in a darkened room and remembering, a wine bottle and a glass in front of him. He remembers kissing Mac, and her last moments. Tears run down his face. He agonizes. He pours a glass of wine and stares at it. He lifts it to his lips, hesitates. Someone is pounding on the door. He hesitates again. Wine? Door? Wine? Door? Finally he throws the glass, and goes to open. It’s Orlando, worried about him. Chris says you came just at the right moment. I almost did something stupid. He throws his arms around Orlando. I almost took a drink.

Orlando, who is a bit tone-deaf when it comes to other people’s feelings, is surprised that Chris is that shattered. Chris tells him that he was about to give up the priesthood and marry Mac. Orlando is impactado.

At the wake, Aron approaches Em and says I guess you heard that Pal and I broke up. Em says don’t b.s. – there was never anything between you two. Aron says that’s not true. Em says this isn’t the time or place. Aron hisses threateningly that he’s not giving up.

Romina pulls Em aside and says she’s really worried. Everyone around Paloma seems to keel over. What if she’s next?

Chris tells Orlando he gave up everything for Mac, and now she’s gone. Why couldn’t she live to be happy? Orlando says she was in her last days. Maybe that was the plan, having your history be resolved. People change over the years, maybe things would have been different between you. Chris scoffs. Orlando says you were adults now, not young like you used to be. Old relationships can be romanticized. You became a priest. Chris says but she was alive!

Orlando says but she’s gone! Accept it! You have to decide if you want to continue as a man, or as a priest.

Carlota has taken Rufi aside and tells her that the family secrets have to remain secret. Mac had time to divulge them and didn’t, so we have to respect that. Rufi says maybe she didn’t have enough time. Maybe she wanted to see Chris and Paloma together. She did, says Carlota, and she didn’t say a thing. You’re not a member of the family – I’m the last member who has the right to tell, and I’m not going to say anything. Get my drift? Rufi nods.

Orlando tells Chris maybe you and Mac were meant just to close the circle of your love. She wasn’t healthy, and when she knew that you loved each other, she could die. Now your calling should be even more powerful. Chris says being a priest is no small matter. How can I go back like nothing ever happened? Orlando says you were honest with everyone, yourself included. Your business as a man is finished now. You were lucky to have the opportunity to tell her that you didn’t abandon her.

Chris says the problem is that I’m so angry about her death. You’re the only the second person I’ve told – we even kissed! Orlando says but that’s wonderful! You were able to clarify everything between you. Would you have given up the priesthood for anything else? No no no says Chris. There you are! says Orlando. Accept it. Go to your confessor and talk it out. But just think – you were able to make her happy.

Their theme song starts up and Chris smiles a little. Orlando says decide what you want to do with your life. Chris is still smiling.

Avances: hard to understand. A blond lady goes to the lawyer about Mac. At Mac’s graveside service, Carlota pulls Paloma away from Emiliano again.

Labels: amor

Labels: gancho

This novela bolted out of the starting gate but it stalled tonight while Alejandro was mulling incessantly over this strange situation: he now remembers almost everything, EXCEPT his sister-in-law Paula and his wife MJ whom he's supposedly known for months. And why did he hide his supposed marriage from everybody, even his best friend Fernando? And why did he tell MJ so many lies?

I am not, readers, going to repeat this conversation, but he did, many times.

Paula tells MJ again and again: (1) he's very pretty; (2) we'll go to jail if you don't string him along; (3) it's not fair I should suffer for the mess you've gotten us into; (4) life here is a dream and (5) he's very pretty. MJ points out that Alejandro is no idiot and she fears he has figured out that something's rotten in the state of Denmark.

Ezekiel the servant keeps seeing Bruno and MJ together.

Bruno confirms the marriage is legit: he met the witnesses and MJ's father, the signature on the marriage certificat is indeed Alejandro's, there is a picture of the loving couple at the girls' hovel.

Bruno yells at his henchman because Alejandro is so alive instead of being dead at the bottom of a ravine. The henchman thoughtbubbles: if it weren't for the good pay I'd be out of here, I'm tired of this guy.

Bruno's sis Raquel rehashes to Maura (Alejandro's erstwhile girlfriend), who is chagrined to hear Alejandro has not been asking for her. "Give up on him," counsels Raquel, "find another one, and find me one too."

Bruno tells Alejandro he should divorce MJ. "But I'm not inclined to give her half my inheritance. And anyway, I'm not going to divorce her until I remember what happened. If she didn't know I was wealthy, then she didn't marry me for money - she must have loved me. What's bothering you, anyway?"

Mother Victoria is puzzled that MJ has shown her supposed husband so little affection and shown so little joy.

Paula scolds MJ for making the bed - what will the servant think? Paula goes down to breakfast while MJ hides in their bedroom.

Meanwhile, over bagels Raquel has been insulting the country girls to mom. "That sister is an idiot, everybody will ridicule her." "If Alejandro married MJ, she must have good qualities." "Well, I don't see them." "Shut up. MJ is your brother's wife and you must treat her as such."

Paula comes in. "Where's your sister?" "She's not coming." "Maybe she'd be more comfortable eating in the kitchen with the servants" snipes Raquel.

MJ should have gone down with sis, because now Bruno comes in and bullies her some more in her bedroom. He tells her to trust him and gives her creepy caresses. She is having none. She says she's only putting up with this for the sake of her sister and her father, and that Bruno must promise to get her out of this, get her far away, or she's squealing. He promises, but that promise is worth the paper it's written on I'd say...

His shirt is unbuttoned like Damian's, it's a characteristic of villains I guess. They both leave the room. Ezekiel is watching.

Alejandro tries to draw her out. He says she's treating him like a stranger, and while he may have lost her memory, surely she hasn't, so nu?

She doesn't know how he takes his coffee.

She again says she's mortified because he lied to her about having money. He interrogates her about the wedding, why were there no friends there? "You didn't want them, you said we'd have a party after the church wedding." "Were you pressured into it? Are you pregnant?" "No, I told you there's been no congress between us."

Again she says she wants a divorce, she runs away and cries.

Raquel's hubby takes Paula for a spin through the city, and to an expensive restaurant for lunch, she likes that. The doctor comes and gives Alejandro a clean bill of health, but Alejandro says he wants to go to the hospital next day and get some studies anyway because of not remembering his wife.

MJ is outside and Bruno sneaks up behind her again. They watch Maura arrive and Bruno says she's one of Alejandro's many lovers, and that the flow of amantes won't slow down now merely because of the marriage. Ezekiel is watching.

Maura, dressed to kill, flirts with Alejandro and asks about the marriage. "I thought WE ..." "Our relationship was agreeable but we never talked about marriage." "I thought it was obvious, I thought our intimacy implied..." "If 'intimacy' always led to marriage you'd have been married long ago." She is huffy.

MJ comes in, doesn't need to be introduced to Maura, is also huffy. There'll be a party to celebrate the marriage. Alex accompanies Maura to her car. She says, "You better buy your wife some clothes if you want our social world to treat her well."

Ezekiel tells Alex he saw Bruno and MJ together in the garden.

Alejandro comes into MJ's room, tells her she's very odd. He moves in for a kiss, she evades it, he gets real close and keeps asking what's going on, he kisses her shoulder, he tells her she's pretty and has a sweet face, she gets up, he says he can see her soul in her eyes, KISS! It's hot! She pulls away, he is very convincing, KISS AGAIN! They're down on the bed! Mmmm, but then -

Bruno busts in! He didn't knock! On the bed, MJ is fearful and mortified. Alex is very annoyed. Bruno says, Fernando's downstairs to see you. Alex says, you could have sent a servant, and never come in here without knocking - and I forbid you to enter my wife's room!

Alex goes downstairs saying "we'll talk later." MJ cries.

Bruno lurks, then goes in and yells at her. "What were you doing in the bed with him?" "Mind your own beeswax." He shakes her and shouts, "You liked it, you whore!"

Talking the situation through with Fernando, Alex remembers the tractor trailer coming right at him, trying to kill him, and reasons that somebody wants him dead, and now he's sure he never married MJ, the marriage scam is connected to the attempted murder. Somebody wanted the widow to inherit. "There must have been an accomplice who knows my movements very well!"

Fernando tells Victoria about his conversation with Alejandro and asks her not to tell that he told her! They have a sweetie-pie moment.

MJ's dad's sleazy friend fishes keys out of the grass and goes into the hovel where the contraband goods are kept. There's MJ's dad, he's been waiting for his sleazy friend for two days. "Are you really smuggling drugs and weapons?" "Jeez no, what are you thinking, well, did you find any?" "Well, no."

Alejandro meets MJ and Paula downstairs. MJ was about to call her dad and catch him up on things, but she asks Paula to do it instead. "Why didn't you want to talk to your father in front of me?" "Paula can do it just as well."

MJ is hesitant to enter Alejandro's room with him. "I'm not in the habit of violating women, don't worry." "You wouldn't have to, they put themselves on the rug for you, especially Maura."

He grins and sends for breakfast for the two of them. He asks if she's a virgin, well yes she is.

"Why do you want a divorce?" "Because you lied and you live in this big house." "Hah, that's the first time I've heard of a woman wanting a divorce because her husband is rich." "I don't love you." "Well, that's not very flattering (halagador). But you did before. Was I bad to you?" "Yes, that's it." "Well, I offer a thousand apologies, because I'm not usually like that. You intrigue me."

"Well, we were in love, but now we're not!" "Don't speak for me! I want to get to the bottom of this. And what about Bruno, how did he convince you to come back for my burial?" He's closing in on the truth, loud and angry and in her face, when, Bruno busts in again!

Tomorrow: MJ tells Bruno it would serve him right if she and Alejandro come to know each other carnally.

Labels: sortilegio

Hello friends,

Cathy, who currently covers En Nombre de Amor on Fridays, is going to have to quit. Would anybody like to take a shot at it?

Email me (caray@mappamundi.com) if you want to give it a whirl.

Thanks,

Melinama (aka Chapel Hill Fiddler)

Labels: amor, recappers-needed

Padre Juan Cristobal visits the hospital and questions a sleeping Macarena, “what happened?” He tells her that he has dreams that they’ll be together and he doesn’t want destiny to separate them. He tells her she has to live, he needs her, he needs their love. He kisses her and whispers that she needs to be strong. Just then an alarm goes off and Mac’s vitals go haywire. The Doctor comes in and starts ordering Epi and charges up the paddles. He asks PJC to leave the room as they administer to Mac.

Out in the waiting room, Rufi, Paloma and Emiliano are all waiting. Liliana comes in and tells Pal that they’ve been worried at school. She asks how Mac is doing and Pal tells her things are pretty grave. Lili says that the nuns and all the students are praying for her to recover. PJC joins their group and tells them that things have taken a bad turn with Mac.

In the chapel, Ines, Cruelota and other women are praying for Mac. Ines questions Cruelota on what happened with Mac, how could she fall? The women comment on how good of a person Mac is and how this is all pretty unbelievable. Cruelota doesn’t like hearing nice things about her sister. She tells them that death is for the good and the bad. She starts to “sob” about her sister, eliciting sympathy from the other women. The camera pans a close up to her and we can see what we’ve already known, there are no tears in her eyes.

Rufi and PJC discuss what could have happened to Mac, why she fell. Rufi starts humming a song and PJC can hear the tune being pulled from a memory. He tells Rufi that was their song. Rufi comments on how Pal and she both know it. Rufi almost lets is slip that Mac is Pal’s mom, but covers at the last moment. The two discuss how Mac kept her secret from Pal.

Germán runs into Lili outside the hospital. He tries to talk to her, but she wants to blow him off. He asks that she be patient with him. He tells her that he’s had a rough family life---his step-mother is his aunt, his mother’s sister. Things are not peachy keen at home. He tells Lili that there is nothing he wouldn’t give to have a family life like hers. Lili is pulled in by his words…..I find it kind of creepy because my mom used to read the “murderer of the month” club books (that’s what we called them) so I know that Ted Bundy used sympathy to lure in his victims. Be careful Lili.

The Doctor comes out to tell the crowd in the waiting room that Mac has gone into a coma. Cruelota has just arrived at the hospital, so she hears this news. She’s the only one happy to hear it. Pal breaks down and Cruelota comforts her. It is hard to stomach.

Romina goes to Emiliano’s office. Angelica tells her he’s not there, he’s at the hospital. Angie lets Ro know that the Mother Superior asked her to come back to her old job. She gives some psycho-babble speech to Ro about things not always going the way she manipulates them (or something similar to that).

We return to the waiting room. Everyone is distraught. Creepy music starts to play and the camera again pans into Cruelota.

Rafael goes to see Camila at her shop. He finds out she’s not there, but at the hospital. He leaves a message that he’s got something important to discuss with her, but he’s leaving town for a few days. He asks the woman to whom he is speaking to make sure she lets Cami know.

Mac’s eyes open and the nurse in the room goes running out to find the Doctor. He comes in and tries to talk to her. She can’t talk, so he tells her to blink once for yes and twice for no. He starts to ask a series of questions and is able to determine that she wants to see Pal and PJC, at the same time. The Doctor professes his love to Mac and then goes to get Pal and PJC.

Cami and Lando suggest that a breath of fresh air might be what they need. Pal and Rufi both tell them they want to stay around for any news. Cami and Lando head outside.

The Doctor comes across Pal and tells her that she’s been requested by Mac. Pal is happy, says it’s a miracle and she rushes off to see her aunt/mother. Cruelota questions what’s going on with Mac. The Doctor tells her that Mac can’t speak. Then he tells her that Mac wants to see the priest. Cruelota doesn’t like the sound of this. She says how can she communicate what she wants if she can’t speak. The Doctor tells her of his nifty little system. Cruelota speculates what would happen if Mac can never speak. She likes the thought of this. Cruelota tries to tell the Doctor she’s Mac’s sister and should be able to go see her. The Doctor tells her that was not Mac’s wishes and what matters now is what Mac wants, not what Cruelota wants.

The Doctor finds PJC and tells him that Mac’s requested him. Oh, by the way, Doctor adds, if she’s willing to marry me when she comes out of this, it would sure be great if you would preside over the ceremony. PJC is disturbed by these words, but doesn’t say anything to the Doctor.

Pal gushes over Mac. They hug. Behind Pal’s back Cruelota holds up an engagement ring. Mac starts to go in distress and Pal runs out to get some help. Cruelota comes in to taunt her sister. She shows her the ring and tells her that she will end up marring PJC, Mac will see. Cruelota undoes Mac’s oxygen and tells her it is best if she remains unable to speak.

Cami and Lando discuss Romina and her feelings for E. Cami says it looks like Pal and E are pretty close and she wishes it weren’t so, since Pal and Ro are friends. Cami does say in a town this small, things like that are bound to happen.

PJC comes in to sleeping Mac. He tells her he loves her and has never loved anyone the way he loves her. He begs her to get well, so he can complete his promises of making her happy. He urges her to be strong and kisses her again.

Germie runs into Ro. He’s still hot for her, but she blows him off. He questions if her plan of staying at Diana’s is working. Ro blows him off some more. He tells her she is difficult to please. Rather than being offended, Ro agrees and walks away.

Mac is awake again, but now she’s speaking. She tells the Doctor that she wants to see Pal and PJC together. The Doctor doesn’t question this, doesn’t even roll his eyes and say “here we go again.” He just tells Mac that he loves her and sends another doctor to go get Pal and PJC.

Pal comes in first. Mac tells her to forgive her. Pal says no need for forgiveness on her part, but that Mac should forgive her because she was an awful brat when she learned the truth about Mac being her momma. Mac warns Pal that it would be best if she continued to guard her secret. Pal seems a little confused by this, but she agrees. Mac urges Pal to fight for her own happiness. PJC comes in and Mac begs him to look after Pal, to care for her always. The three hold hands. Mac closes her eyes and the camera soars over the clouds. Music is playing and people are happy. It looks like a wedding….Mac’s and PJC’s. Mac looks lovely in her white suit. PJC looks handsome in his, too. Javier and Sagario are there, as are many other people from town. Noticeably missing is Cruelota. Even Padre Mateo is there, he’s officiating the ceremony. We are taken up to the balcony of the church. Cruelota is there and she looks ticked. The ceremony continues, everyone but Cruelota looks overjoyed. There is much celebrating and Pal hugs her parents. We fly over the clouds again and are back in the hospital room. Macarena gasps her last breath and flat lines. Paloma screams, “No!” and begs her not to die. PJC tries to comfort her as he tries to grasp the reality that the love of his life is gone. END OF EPISODE

Labels: amor

Labels: sortilegio

Okay, so Beto and Connie won the family day competition (with a little help from Connie’s well-placed toe, tripping M&M). Moni’s about to let her fists do the talking, but stops herself, knowing a scandal is just what Connie wants. Connie insults Moni, at which point Katia pipes in with what about you? You brought your lover to my school! No way, answers Connie. See this guy? This stinky piece of trash? He smells like manure (estiércol). No one would go with him! Beto has his usual goofy smile, mildly protests that his smell is just maleness. Mau informs Connie that she can go with whomever she wants, he doesn’t care. But Moni DOES. Ahah, you’re JEALOUS, shoots back Connie. Claro que no, it’s just that don’t you think it’s strange that Connie hired Beto? asks Moni. As Connie makes a dismissive gesture of her hand talking away, Moni asserts that she’s taking advantage of poor people, and money doesn’t make one worthy, feelings do, and Connie’s a little short of them, she’s a witch with no heart. SUPER jealous (celosísima), retorts Con. Mau wants to clear this up. He asks Katia directly. What makes you say Connie and Beto are lovers? Turns out she really has no proof, she’s embarrassed to admit. Mau calls it pure speculation (especulaciónes).

Connie coolly explains the “real” reason she hired Beto. Mau fired him, and since she always likes to help the poor, what else could she do but give him a chance? So don’t say that I have no feelings! Nanny nanny boo boo! Moni tells Beto they’ll talk later. He protests it was pure “escupitaciónes”, not quite getting the big word right – what he said means “spitting”!

Back at Mau’s place, it’s quite a bit colder, as everyone’s wearing coats (Moni has a nice purple, belted jacket). And the weather’s not the only thing that’s cold. Mau is peeved that Moni seems to care so much about Beto and Connie, does Moni still have feelings for Beto? She does, but only as a brother. I’m in love with you, I’m your girlfriend, she says (Yo soy enamorada de usted. Soy su novia – notice this is the formal “you”). Mau notices, too, saying you’re my novia, but you can’t even tutear me.

Teresa enters, makes the mistake of apologizing for calling Moni to take papers to Mau at the school, which causes Moni to realize that Mau didn’t invite her to family day. Mau defends his decision, first saying he was concerned that Moni was upset about her mother, and wouldn’t want to be around families, then adding that he didn’t want Moni to cause problems at the school, which enrages Moni. Why would he assume she’s wild, she may be ignorant (bruta), but she can learn from her mistakes. She accuses Mau (again) of preferring the porcelain faced Connie, who’s from high society. Mau laments, why do they always end up fighting? Moni doesn’t know, but if they keep this up, they’ll end up hating each other. She stalks out. Yes, it’s gotten a little frosty.

Connie reams out Katia for accusing her of being Beto’s lover. Katia doesn’t really back down, when Connie’s phone rings. It’s Ximena, from the hospital. Connie’s on her way.

Nieves has the table all set for baby boy Beto, and when he enters wearing his chauffeur outfit, she’s entranced. But then he says “Good evening, NEIGHBOR”, and her face falls. He informs her he’s rented an apartment on the other side of Paula’s, and has paid 3 months in advance, from his new salary. He grabs his duffel bag, as she begs him to stay, she needs him. Only like a dog nipping at your skirt, wagging its tail, he answers. But he’s independent now, NEIGHBOR. He gives her his keys, then dumps his dirty laundry, letting Mommy know that he expects it washed by tomorrow. But since he’s independent now, he himself will take it off the clothesline. The door slams, and it’s Nieves’ turn to say “me dañas, me dañas (you hurt me), sniffing his shorts, tears in her eyes.

Aldo comes to visit Katia. She guesses he definitely think she’s crazy now, after her unfounded accusations about Connie. But he’s warm and supportive, and promises to check things out to see if he can get some proof.

In the vecindad, Moni sees Nieves crying. Nieves is sad that Beto left, but when it turns out he’s just moving a few apartments away, Moni thinks Nieves is making a mountain out of a molehill. Nieves laments that the family she had with Beto and Moni is broken. Beto enters, still with his attitude, and Nieves says he’ll be crying tears of blood when she’s dead (she’s got that martyr thing down pat). After she leaves, Beto brags to Moni that if she doesn’t want him, he’s got a whole line of chicks waiting in the wings. After warning him about Connie, Moni tells Beto to go get all those in that line he’s got waiting. He thinks to himself, good idea.

At the hospital, we find that Rolu’s in a full body cast, and Ximena’s going to wait on him hand and foot (okay, he fell 25 feet onto solid concrete, but we knew Rolu would make it, he and Ximmy are too funny to let go). Even his nose and mouth are covered (with little holes for breathing). Ximmy tells Connie her version of Rolu’s fall – he was saving her from falling. What a guy. Mao Tse Tung arrives, is Ximmy okay? She’s better, now that a nice nurse gave her a delicious little pill. Mau observes that Rolu must have broken every bone in his body, but Ximmy’s happy that he didn’t lose a single tooth! Connie wants to talk with Mau, so they take it outside (Ximmy doesn’t want any negative energy). Xime feels inspired, takes out some magic markers, and it’s cast decorating time!

In the hall, Connie wants to assure Mau she has nothing to do with Beto, but he doesn’t care one way or the other. They’ve broken up, and she can do whatever she wants. He leaves. Ximmy comes out, teases Connie about El Fantasma Vengador, and although Connie denies that they did anything, Ximmy knows they’ve come close, they’re like a time bomb, ready to explode. She threatens to tell Mau, but Connie says she better not, adding she’ll kill both Mau and Moni if she loses Mau. So Ximmy, your cousin’s life is in your hands. She leaves, and Ximmy wants another little pill.

Moni’s in her pink robe, thinking. Beto lets himself in, tells her he was kidding about that line of chicks. But Moni says she WANTS him to find another girl, really. He can’t, he loves only Moni. She repeats she loves him, but just as a brother, a friend. He finally says you win. Just friends. But he’ll always be there for her. And she for him. He blesses her and says goodnight. After he leaves, her phone rings. It’s Mauricio. (Can I just say the Nextel beeping was really intrusive in this conversation? Yes, we get it – they have these two way walkie talkies that beep. But these look like ordinary cellphones, and no one’s pushing any talk buttons. Oh well, product placement it is). Mau calls to apologize. Moni does, too, and they both say te amo. Mau’s smile widens as he realizes she used “tú”. She can’t meet him at the office, has to train, but he can meet her at the gym. She says goodnight, boyfriend. He says goodnight, girlfriend, and he thanks her for beginning to tutear. Ahhhh, love is back.

We see the moon, we see the clouds, and we see Moni in the morning, jumping rope at the gym, wearing black boxing boots, low slung workout pants which go to just above the knee, tape on her hands, and a cute short-sleeved workout top which still leaves her midriff bare. Next she’s got on the pink boxing gloves, is hitting the free standing punching bag with gusto, giving us guys some eye candy with her athleticism. The speed bag completes the workout, and Don Cesar thinks she’s doing great. And he’s got great news. He got her a fight for the national title against Mariana “La Barbie” Juarez. , who really is the flyweight (110 pounds) champion of women’s boxing. The fight’s in two weeks, so Moni’s going to have to take some time off from work, and train hard. She gives Don Cesar a hug, and dashes off joyfully to make the arrangements.

Aldo has promised to try to get info to help Katia find out if Beto and Connie are an item. First stop – Estrella’s house. She comes out in her kimono. He asks about Beto. Estrella knows Beto has the hots for a lot of girls in the neighborhood, but she never saw him with Connie. She will, however, keep her eyes open. That done, Aldo shows a little jealousness about Tano (who’s inside). He still has feelings for Estre. Estre tells him to forget it, he’s got a novia now, she has a novio, and falling in love with him was a mistake, thank goodness they only had a few kisses, and didn’t make a bigger mistake. She tells him goodbye, goes back inside, where Tano is sitting, having heard everything. He could understand how Aldo could be dazzled (deslumbrado) with her, as a teenager he had crushes on his teachers, but how could she love HIM? Estrella assures him there was nothing more than a few kisses. She likes Aldo, sure, but Tano’s different. She likes being with him, he makes her feel happy, he respects her, and he doesn’t judge her the way so many do. She pleads with him not to leave her, she’s not a bad woman. The tears are streaming down her face as Tano, moved, hugs her tight, he’s not going anywhere.

Beto runs into Moni on her way home from the gym, she doesn’t want him following her everywhere, he jokes that they’re buddies now (carnales), so they can stick together. They turn around, and someone’s lying on the ground. It’s Nieves, who’s fainted!

At Semeño Group, Paula’s wearing her recepcionista outfit (turns out the cleaning crew has matching outfits, and so do the receptionists. I thought it was some running joke with two ladies always dressing alike, but it’s actually a uniform). Paula brusquely informs some clients that Mauricio isn’t in, they can stay or leave, whatever they like, she doesn’t care, but don’t say anything more to her, because she’s really busy. (!!) As the clients sulk off, offended, Gabi tells Paula one has to greet the clients with a cheerful smile, treat them with respect. Well, says Paula, maybe that hypocrisy works for you, but not for me, I say what I feel, so deal with it.

Salvador tries to calm down stressed out Gabi. Gabi’s upset about Paula, but that’s nothing compared to how upset she is about Lorenza. Gabi’s being discredited (desprestigiando) by everyone, and the accountant lady (contadura) who brings her chocolates every Tuesday isn’t even talking to her anymore. Enter Lorenza, eating said chocolates. She offers one to Sal who declines. Gabi wants one, but Lorenza says no, maybe you should watch your diet, maybe that’s why you don’t have a husband. Crestfallen, Gabi walks away.

Mauricio arrives, his phone rings (and beeps), Moni tells him about Nieves, he’ll meet her at the hospital, and don’t worry about the medical bill, he’ll cover it.

In the hospital waiting room, Beto asks Moni with whom she was talking and she answers “with my novio” (good for her!). Beto thinks his Mom’s going to die, and if so, who’ll do his laundry? Well, YOU will. And you have to be strong, be a man about this. He asks if men can cry. Moni says of course they can, and Beto does, as she consoles him.

In Rolu’s room (same hospital, of course), a nice nurse is pleased to see Rolu’s awake. His cast is decorated with a red heart and the words “I love Xime”. The nurse tells him he broke his jaw (quijada), so he won’t be able to talk for a while. But isn’t it nice he has an angel girlfriend to take care of him? Enter said angel, again disproving the fashion no-no of horizontal stripes, as her red, white and black striped top fits her to a T. The nurse says the patient has nice eyes, and Xime agrees, ignoring the somewhat angry look behind those nice eyes.

The Delegation of Underachieving Mau Bashers (DUMB) has a short meeting to discuss strategy. As Connie absentmindedly fondles an accordion-like pile of post-it notes, Oscar relates that since the idea of Mau having to marry ASAP won’t work anymore (because he’d marry the “wrong” woman), they’ve come up with a new idea. Jerry lays it out - Connie should tell the judge SHE wants to adopt the three little varmints. Oscar reassures her that with enough dinero, the judge will go along with it. Connie likes this plan.

The Doctor tells Beto his mother is stable, but the diagnosis is reserved. Some studies are needed to determine the cause of her fainting. She has to stay the night. What did he say? Beto asks Moni. “That your mother is stable, but the diagnosis is reserved, some studies are needed to determine the cause of the fainting, and that she has to spend the night here”. Beto is still despondent, feels like a bad son, is hyperventilating, wants them to transplant his heart into his Mom, needs a hug (which Moni gives). Beto’s grateful, he doesn’t deserve Moni, he still loves her, with all his soul. He strokes her hair, and just as Mauricio arrives in the background, suddenly KISSES her! Even though Moni immediately pushes him away, Mau’s jealousy meter is lighting up. Ximmy arrives to greet Mau loudly, and Moni goes to greet him, not noticing his scowl. Things aren’t helped when Beto says we don’t need any help from this so and so, I’m independent, I’ll pay for all the bills. Yeah, how much is the mummy paying you? It costs 10,000 pesos ($750.00) per day here. Beto swallows his pride, quietly thanks Mauricio.

Oscar thinks it’s funny that Connie will be adopting those runts she hates. Connie’s willing to pay the judge’s bribe, she’s willing to do or pay anything, with some exceptions (shooting a look at Jerry). The key is that Mau can’t know what’s going on, so Jerry says they’ll get Mau out of the office for a few days, and Sal’s so obessesd with Gabi and Lorenza that he won’t be a problem. Pretty soon, says Connie, Mauricio will pay for everything he’s done.

In the deserted coffee room, we see some abandoned cleaning bottles in the foreground. Gabi enters, fumbles around in her purse, finally dumps it all out on the table. With shaking hands, she finds a cigarette, lights it, and takes a few puffs. Sal enters, since when do you smoke? Between coughs, Gabi says since Lorenza made life unbearable here, since Paula got her promotion and became insufferable, and what can she say, how else is she going to lose those kilos? Sal takes the cigarette, stamps it out, reminding her smoking isn’t allowed here, you’ve always been opposed to smoking, and what’s more, you don’t need to lose weight. You’re a beautiful woman just as you are, I wouldn’t change a thing. Gabi thanks him, but how’s she going to relieve her stress, she’s tired of tea, tea and more tea. Sal guides her to a chair, stands behind her, asks her to relax, and starts massaging her shoulders. Just forget everything. Ah, that’s working. He’s on the neck, now, want me to continue? Yes, yes, she says, as his hands stray lower, to her back, gentle fingers having the desired effect.

As Paula yawns, playing absentmindedly with her raccoon tail keychain, Jerry wants to talk to Lorenza in his office. Oscar wakes Paula from her reverie, wants some cappuccino. She informs him she’s no cappuccinista, she’s a recepcionista now (weakly struggling to put her earphones on). Oscar reminds her that getting coffee is still part of her job, so go to it. She reluctantly drags herself out of the comfy chair, and is just about to enter the coffee room, when she hears moans of pleasure coming from within. Ahah, she thinks. I’ll get Lorenza to catch them! (Paula, Paula, please don’t go to the dark side).

Back at the hospital, Mau wants an explanation as to why Moni was kissing Beto. She explains that Beto kissed HER, took her by surprise, and is just very upset about his Mom. Mau is still seeing red, doesn’t understand why Moni has to be so close to him. Moni reassures him (still using tú) that he’s the man of her life. She cares for Beto, but not the way she cares for Mau, the man who awakened deep feelings in her, the man who takes her breath away, her ideal man. They kiss, and she reminds him how they promised that before they’d overreact to something, they’d talk about it. They kiss again.

However, he then lays down the law. For their relationship to work, she can’t be friends with Beto anymore. She can’t have any type of relationship with him. Moni doesn’t know what to say (until Monday, when I’m sure she’ll come up with some zingers!)

And Monday, it looks as if she must have said something good, because they kiss VERY PASSIONATELY, and did he just ask her to spend the night?!

Vocabulario:

Estiércol – manure, dung
Carnales – mates, buddies
Desprestigiar – to discredit
La quijada – the jaw, the jawbone

Labels: gancho