Caray, Caray!

Repeat: Iñaki swears to Paloma that they can overcome all obstacles, and they smooch with Carlota spying in plain sight ten feet away. Paloma doesn’t want to hide their relationship forever, and thinks that soon she can convince Tia Cruelota that she’s old enough to have a novio. Ah, such youthful optimism. Iñaki says he’s muy, pero muy in love, and no one has ever felt the way he does. Ah, such youthful self-absorption. They part ways grinning like fools.

Now: Paloma runs right home and shares with Rufi the good news that she and Iñaki are now novios. Rufi is thrilled to see a little happiness in the house finally, and they squeal and dance around. Macarena joins in the celebration.

Over at the Little Shop of (mostly horroroso) Art, Camila, Rafael, and Rafael’s designer Joel are discussing the new line of ceramics. Romina calls and Rafael answers the phone so that the others can keep talking, much to Romi’s disgust. Mostly, though, she’s annoyed because Mami isn’t home to fix her something to eat. Is she three? Such a demanding diva. With her mom and Paloma both finally developing new friendships, Romina’s little kingdom is unraveling. What’s a princess to do when the serfs revolt? After they hang up, Rafa offers to pay Camila for her help, but she won’t accept.

Cruelota paces her bedroom, overcome by the sins of the world. Well, not so much her own, mostly Paloma’s and Macarena’s, which exist primarily in her imagination. Macarena calls her for dinner, but she says she’s not eating; she has a jaqueca (headache). Macarena says they need to talk ASAP, and Carlota yells at her. Once rid of her sister, Carlota is free to think back on her conversation with Arcadia, the housekeeper at Iñaki’s mother’s house. Arcadia told her that the señora of the house cohabitates with her boyfriend, who is 10 to 15 years younger and treats her like a queen. Carlota was scandalized, and got Arcadia to promise to keep her updated on the household goings-on, despite just having told the school staff that what goes on in her own house is no one else’s business. Out of the flashback, Carlota snarls to herself that there is no way she will let Paloma associate with someone from such a family.

Down in the kitchen, the others eat dinner and Mac tells Paloma she and Camila are going along to the bar on Friday to hear Iñaki play. Living vicariously, she wants to know whether Paloma is in love. Paloma at first will not confirm such a level of emotion for a guy she’s spent a grand total of about a half hour with, but after Rufi waxes poetic about a first love being like the moon in January and butterflies in the belly, Paloma agrees she’s very much in love. Carlota eavesdrops and glowers.


Camila and Romina eat their ten-minutes-late dinner and Romi kvetches about Camila having helped Rafael with his designs. She wants Camila to have nothing to do with him and for Emiliano to join his father’s company instead. Camila is sharp enough to see that Romi is just mad that she’s getting attention from and paying attention to people other than Romina.

Orlando and Emiliano drink coffee and talk about publicity. Emiliano thinks they need a website and offers to take charge of that. Orlando is pleased with his enthusiasm and says his parents and girlfriend must be very proud of him. Emiliano isn’t too sure about the girlfriend thing. He thinks something hasn’t gelled (cuajar = to curdle, to thicken, to take hold) between them. Orlando thinks it’s weird that things aren’t a thrill a minute at this stage of the relationship, but tells him to give it time. Emiliano never tells anyone that he was basically cornered into the relationship like a cow into the abbatoir loading chute.

Germán whines to Iñaki that he doesn’t want to go to the jazz gig because everyone else has a date and he doesn’t. He confesses that he’s clavado con Romina. Iñaki is a little shocked, but tells him to just find someone else to go with. Germy says there’s a girl he could ask, but she goes to the same school as Romina so that could be awkward as he doesn’t think they like each other. In a town that size I don’t think you can be so particular about only dating girls who like or don’t know your exes. Iñaki pushes him to call anyway.

Paloma asks Macarena whether she’s going to the dispensario this evening. Mac at first says no, then changes her mind when she realizes she needs to go thank Iñaki for the flower. Paloma wants to make cookies for Iñaki’s mother, and Mac agrees to help. For those of you preparing the trivia game, Paloma doesn’t want to make nut cookies, because that was the kind they had made for her parents the day they died.

Mac barges into Carlota’s room and demands an accounting for Carlota’s lies. Well, the ones she knows about; namely, why Carlota said Dr. Bermúdez couldn’t come by when Mac was sick, and why she claimed the doctor recommended another medicine which made her worse. Carlota calmly lies that she didn’t want to bother Dr. Bermúdez so she called another doctor (and bothered him or her?). Mac makes the tactical error of telling Cruelota she now has a new injectable medicine which can’t be mixed with anything else, so Cruelota should stay out of her medical affairs, nearly guaranteeing that Cruelota will meddle in her medical affairs. Cruelota smirks and looks very purple.

Romina flounces into Emiliano’s office and demands to know why he didn’t inform her of their parents’ work collaboration. Emiliano doesn’t think it’s a big deal, and tells Romina she should be nicer to her mother, which was not in Romina’s script. Romi says she does love her mom, EVEN THOUGH mom totally failed as a woman and that’s why her dad left. Emiliano tells her not to judge. Romina thinks Em should stop defending her mother and start paying more attention to Romi, because he’s so lucky to have a girlfriend such as her fine self. She slithers across his desk and kisses him, but he says he has to work and she flounces back out.

Joel and Rafael are still raving about Camila’s revolutionary ideas for the new line of ceramics and glassware. Rafael wants to launch it as soon as possible.

Flowers are delivered to Camila, with a note of thanks from Rafael.

Mac thanks Iñaki for the flower, and he says he’s delighted they’re going to come listen to him play. He invites them to his house to meet his mother, and Mac says Paloma can go but she thinks it would be too formal for Paloma’s tia to go meet his mother this early. Iñaki says they may be young, but he’d happily marry Paloma tomorrow.

Camila calls Rafael to thank him for the flowers. He says he’d like them to keep collaborating.

Emiliano drops by Romina’s house, and Romina whines to him that she feels like he doesn’t care much about her. Commence the heavy liplocking, which is SO heavy they must collapse onto the couch.

Well, the kissing lasted through the adverts, but immediately afterward Emiliano breaks away. Romina can’t believe he doesn’t want to do it like they do on the Discovery Channel. He says it’s too soon and he doesn’t want anyone to get hurt. Romi says she is hurt by the rejection and humiliation. His attempts at reasoning are rebuffed and she gives him his marching orders, with an elbow thrown in for good measure when he tries to kiss her goodbye.

Cruelota answers the door at the House o’ Gloom and accepts the medicines being delivered from the pharmacy. Then she sends Rufi away with an envelope to take to Inez.

Paloma and Iñaki stroll in the park, holding hands and eating ice cream. Emiliano passes by on his way back to the office and they tell him their happy novios news. He congratulates them and smiles but not with his eyes and tells Paloma she looks prettier than ever.

Romina places a booty call to Germy’s voice mail. He sits in his office twitching as his little angel and devil fight it out.

Cruelota adulterates some vials of medicine.

Camila comes home to find Romina lolling on the sofa. She suggests that Romina find a fun class to take in the afternoons, but Romi just blames her mother for her boredom. Then she tells her mother that absolutely no way is she allowed to go to the bar with them on Friday.

At dinner, Mac tells Carlota that she and Paloma are going out to dinner on Friday to celebrate Paloma’s academic success. Carlota says she’d like to go, too, but Mac says maybe another time. Carlota agrees way too easily, and even pushover Mac knows something’s rotten in Real del Monte.

Alone in her bedroom, Carlota cackles over the fun Mac and Paloma are going to have at their dinner. Meanwhile, Mac gives herself the injection.

Romi ignores messages from Paloma and Emiliano, and has no luck reaching Germy.

The next morning, Paloma tells Romina that she and Iñaki are novios, and Romina is mad because she’s about the last to know, which she says is totally rude since she was the one who took Paloma to the party where they met (actually, I think Emiliano invited them both equally). Also she’s mad because it’s Paloma’s fault Camila is going to the bar.

Rufi is surprised to find Mac still in bed, sick again.

The nun teacher announces all the students’ scores to the whole class. Paloma gets the best grade. Romina gets a zero, and the whole class laughs at her. Paloma offers to tutor her, but Romina says that now that she has a novio she won’t have time. Paloma insists that of course she will, and they swear that they will never let a man come between them and will be friends forever, so start the countdown for a man to come between them.

Metiche Diana drops by the art shop to try to gossip with Camila about their kids’ lurve-fest or lack thereof. Camila says they should give them some privacy. Diana discovers the flowers from Rafael and is jealous. She tries to call Rafael for an explanation but he’s at the factory and unreachable.

Paloma finds Macarena still in bed, and Mac pretends she’s just resting because they’re going to be out late and she’s used to going to bed early. She gives Paloma a new dress to wear.

Romina and Camila fight about whether Camila’s allowed to go out. Romina throws a fit and Cami rolls her eyes.

Rufi and Paloma ask Carlota for something involving tying a bow (lacear) for Paloma’s ensemble. Carlota gives her some money.

Emiliano calls Romina and wants to talk about what happened between them, but she doesn’t want to discuss it on the phone; they will wait and discuss their sex life or lack thereof at the bar.

So Paloma’s out having her hair done, while Iñaki practices his saxophone and Macarena irons and looks ill.

Back at the house, Rufi raves about Paloma’s new look, which is exactly like her old look. Paloma goes to show Mac and finds her collapsed on the floor, with the ironing board knocked over and the iron probably burning a hole in something. Paloma yells for help. Carlota places a call and leaves a message for Dr. Bermúdez. She may or may not have actually dialed. Carlota and Rufi fret over Mac and Carlota sends Paloma away. Paloma calls Iñaki, but Carlota catches her in the act and looks furious.

Avances: Paloma’s had it with the secrets. Iñaki attempts a balcony rescue of his precious Rapunzel, but Carlota may catch him.

Labels: amor

Let's cut right to the chase. Damian throws Fernanda's non-existent affair in her face. He dares her to deny it, but before he can answer his mommy bangs on the door, coming for a visit. She's been thoughtful enough to bring her own set of crutches with her, which she flings at Fernanda so she can crawl all over the bed to fuss over Damian. Well, he wanted a woman crawling all over him in bed, but not like this! He yells at Mommy that he's feeling much better. Mommy declines a glass of water and Fernanda leaves. Mommy whines that he's her reason for living and what would she do without him! But thankfully she won't have to find out.

Santiago mopes at the dining table. Tomasa tells him she's sorry, but she hasn't seen Aurora since they all ate together the other day. As a matter of fact, dear sweet Babs gave her the afternoon and evening off that day. Fernanda walks in and asks if they've heard anything about Aurora. Santiago says he's been all over town, but no one's seen her. Fernanda asks Tomasa for a pitcher of water and glasses. Fernanda tells Santiago that she'll get Damian straightened out and then they'll go look for Aurora some more. She tells him that Damian accused her of having an affair with Franco. Santiago tells her she can't let him keep thinking that. No point doing the time if you didn't get to do the crime. Fernanda admits to kisses and "moments" while Damian was missing and she swears it was nothing more. Santiago tells her she's going to have to give Damian some kind of proof that nothing happened. He supposes that the marriage between Erika and Franco is Fernanda's best proof.

Erika and Esteve talk about the upcoming wedding. Esteve says it's between the two of them, but he does think it was a, how you say, hasty decision. Erika says she loves Franco, he's the man of her dreams. Esteve attempts to burst her bubble by asking if Franco has talked about his feelings. That bubble, however, is titanium coated. Erika says she'll win his love. She thanks Esteve for his sincerity, reminds him to give Franco the invitation, and says she'll call later. Esteve bids her "adios, guapa."

Franco meets with Anibal and Camilo in Anibal's office. Franco tries to make some small talk about the community center, but really, aside from Fernanda no one else in the company gives a crap. Anibal makes the excuse that Damian's been "a little ill". Camilo makes a joke about Fernanda being the "sufrida y abnegada sor Fernanda" (long-suffering and self-sacrificing Sister Fer) who won't leave Damian's side.

Damian's Mommy is feeling up his bandages. Well, what else would you call it. Damian yells at her. Mommy says this must be God's way of getting Damian and Fernanda to spend more time together. Damian wittily says, "Oh, please. Don't tell me God hires assailants to rescue marriages in crisis!" But Mommy didn't know they were having problems and now assumes he was attacked because he was alone. Yeah, cause some of Fernanda's wardrobe choices would have scared away all but the most determined fake car thieves. Damian snaps back that he's not with Fernanda 24-7. Sometimes he needs a little alone time. "Or," Mommy suggests, "A little alone time with her stepmother!"

Said Evil Stepmother is on the horn to Obregon. She gripes him out for not having called Gonzalo yet. She calls him "pedazo de inepto" (piece of an incompetent--as if he's not even a whole incompetent, just a piece of one).

Damian tells Mommy that's stupid, but she counters that if it was he wouldn't be so upset. Then she nags him not to move so much or he'll open up his wound again. How many votes for Damian taking up kickboxing right now? Damian throws Mommy out and says he never wants to see her again IN HIS LIFE. Dude, that's harsh. In his anger, he throws something at her, but I can't see what it was. Drink! (If he ever throws the cell phone, it's "drink everything in sight.") Then he groans with the pain he caused himself and screams for Fernanda. Um, yeah, that's just the tone of voice that makes every woman come running.

Anibal tells Franco that he didn't call him there to discuss work, but something that could affect work. He says it's about Steve's niece.

Fernanda and Santiago run into Mommy on the stairs as Fernanda's carrying the tray with the water. She cries to Fer that something's wrong with her baby. He "saltó como una fiera" (in other words, he went wild, got furious; I don't know where "saltó" comes in, it's from saltar, meaning to jump; perhaps "he jumped at me like a wild thing"?) and forbid her to visit him again, that he doesn't want to see her ever again. Fer says it's just because he's going through a rough time. Mommy says, rightly, that doesn't give him the right to treat her like an old rag. Yeah, sweetie, but that's what you should have been saying to him rather than ducking and covering. Give him the old Bill Cosby "I brought you into this world and I can take you out" speech, you know.

Franco asks how long "this" has been going on. Camilo's dumbass response is "relatively not long". Franco takes issue with the "relatively." Anibal says it happened at the party. "Ah," says Franco, "the party," with a tone that sounds more like "Ah, that damn party that Esteve rammed down my throat and that's got Erika hanging on me like a parasitic vine, is that the party you mean?" Franco asks if they're going to be living together. Camilo backpedals. He says all he did was invite her out, but since she did it behind her uncle's back, Steve got mad, and, um, well, he didn't think it would be very "caballeroso" (gentlemanly) to just leave her there, and so, um, he told her she could stay at an apartment he has. Heh, notice how he doesn't phrase it as "stay at my apartment." Franco seems shocked, just shocked, and dismayed that Lovely accepted. He explains that for Steve, Lovely is more than a daughter. In other words, "y'all are so screwed."

Camilo repeats that nothing happened. Franco does that "deliberately misunderstanding things you said" thing and says "But you just told me that you're going to live together!" Camilo says he didn't, but Franco counters with "Then why did you invite her to your apartment?" Camilo tries to explain that it was only because Esteve had thrown her out. He appeals to Anibal for backup. Franco says what Camilo should have done was take her back to Las Animas. Franco says this is very serious to Steve. Anibal lamely says that Camilo didn't mean to offend Steve or harm Lovely. Except it comes out more like "Lovey." Franco tells Camilo that if he's intending to have a serious relationship with Lovely, then maybe he can intercede with Steve, but…. Anibal says that Camilo was just saying that Lovely is different from any other woman he's ever met. Franco agrees that she's an extraordinary young woman, so much so that the son of an Arab "jeque" (sheik) wanted to marry her, but what with recent developments…. Franco says he'll try to talk to Steve, but he's afraid they're all at grave risk. Gonzalo walks into their meeting and tearfully announces that Obregon just called him. Franco flexes his jaw. Hey, Fernando, if you need someone to help you loosen those jaw muscles up after this role, call me. I'm not a professional masseuse or anything, I'm just saying. Call me.

At the new Evil Overlord HQ Lili sleeps. Artemio walks into the room and stands at the foot of the bed. He mutters to himself "What am I going to do with you, Liliana Elizalde?"

Gonzalo tells the boys that it's the second time Obregon has called his cell phone. The first time he just said it was him and then hung up. This time he demanded $3M within 24 hours. Gonzalo says he told him that he wouldn't pay unless Obregon sends him a picture of Lili holding today's paper.

Obregon is apparently reporting this to Evil Barbie herself because she gripes that "el vejete de mi marido" (my old fart of a husband) demanded proof of life before handing over the money. Obregon asks what they're going to do, since Lili is lost. Santiago walks into the library, surprising Barbie, who fakes like she's talking to the old fart, saying "Yes, dear, see you later." Santiago apologizes for interrupting her. Barbie asks him if he's heard anything about Aurora and whether he's questioned the servants. Santiago says no one's seen her as Evil Barbie fights to hide her malicious grin. Barbie says that she did see Aurora, but she wasn't sure if she should tell him--she was waiting for Aurora to call and tell him herself. Santiago demands to know. Barbie begs him not to put her in this position, but to wait and be calm. Santiago, surprisingly for both of us, grabs Barbie by the wrists and snarls "calm down? Don't you realize I'm going crazy with worry?" Barbie says Aurora took her stuff because she's not coming back, she's out of his life, she abandoned him. Barbie suggests he stop looking for her because he's definitely not going to see her again. I want to imagine that she looks a little more cautious and is avoiding even the appearance of gloating.

Fernanda walks into her room to find Damian out of bed, struggling his way across the floor and grabbing at the top of the armoire to keep from falling over. She walks him back to bed. She asks him what's going on, his Mom was crying. Damian snaps that he wants nothing to do with her or anyone else, JUST YOU! Oh, just dope him up already and put him out of my misery. Fernanda tells him he's supposed to be resting, but Damian says he can't rest when he knows he's losing her. Fer asks who told him that. Damian says he didn't need to be told, he got shot in the leg, not the head. Fer says that a lot of stuff has happened since their wedding day that's upset her, but that doesn't mean she doesn't love him. He asks why, if she loves him, they haven't had their wedding night. Oh, nice. That's just a regurgitated version of "if you really loved me you'd sleep with me." What are we, back in high school? Fer avoids the question and says it's not what he thinks as she fights to free herself from his grasp and get out of reach. Damian demands to know what it is, then. As Fer tries to tell him to calm down, he leaps back out of bed to grab at her and manages to pull her down on the bed. He says he's hurt, but his desire and "love" for her are still there. He demands that she promise to have sex with him that night. She doesn't answer and tries to get away from him again.

Anibal wonders where they're going to get $3M. Gonzalo suggests selling off some land or asking for a loan, but he's not going to risk his daughter's life. Franco tells him not to worry about the money--he'll ask Steve. Gonzalo is moved by the solidarity. Franco reiterates his support, but asks to be kept in the loop about everything that's happening.

Damian has now moved on to "demuestrame que me amas" (show me you love me) and prove I'm the only man in your life. He says the wound won't stop him. He swears if she just sleeps with him, he'll stop thinking she's cheating on him. Fernanda says yes. Uh oh, so how's she going to get out of this now? I don't think Evil Barbie is going to share her special beddie-bye drops.

Franco starts to leave Grupo Lactos, but Camilo stops him to say thanks. Franco says as partners they have an obligation to help out, so no need for thanks. Franco tries to get in the elevator, but Camilo pulls him back, not done talking yet. Camilo says there was something else he wanted to talk about. He wanted to remind Franco that he also said he'd help about Lovely. Franco "Oh, I thought you were worried about what's really important--your sister." Camilo, much like Damian, is begging for an answer as to whether Franco is still going to try to help with the not-so-lovely Lovely situation. Camilo, however, is being a tad bit more subtle. Franco gives a non-commital "we'll see," and then gets in the elevator. He kind of stops and looks back like "are you going to let me go this time?"

Santiago begs Barbara to tell him where Aurora is. Barbie says she didn't want to hurt him. No, nothing bad happened to her. She thinks it's better he doesn't know. Time heals all wounds and all that. Santiago yells at her again to tell him and grabs her by the wrist. Barbie says she doesn't know where Aurora is, but she didn't leave the hacienda alone. Santiago looks shocked. Oh, please, man, that could mean anything. And since when do you trust Evil Barbie to tell the truth? Wait, sorry, ok, beanie re-adjusted.

Aurora is on a bus, looking forlorn as always. She remembers Camilo giving her the knock-out drugs. She remembers seeing the bedroom look fuzzy and Camilo undressing her. Brilliant as ever, she thought bubbles "Camilo tricked me! He gave me those drops so he could take advantage of me!"

Barbie tells Santiago it seemed like Aurora knew the guy she left with. She begs him not to make her give details--"You know what I'm talking about. It looked like they were more than friends." Santiago says she's full of it and never wanted Aurora around. He demands to know what she did to her.

Franco, via cell phone to Casa Lili, tells Martina to go to her dad's house since it doesn't look like Lili's coming back. Martina, feeling sorry for herself, says she was stupid and didn't know how to look after Lili. Franco says no one is blaming her and it looks like Obregon has her. All they can do now is wait. He says it's better for her to be with her dad and as soon as they know something, he'll call her.

Santiago demands that Barbie tell him the truth. He says Aurora had a cold and was going to bed early, so how could she have run off with a man. Barbie says it was a mistake to tell him "the truth". Santiago says he'd have to see it with his own eyes before he doubts Aurora's love. Barbie says maybe now that he knows the truth it will be easier for him to forget her. Santiago says he'll never forget her. "NEVER!" he screams, banging on the door for emphasis. Once he leaves, Barbie's cell phone starts ringing. She does look a little shook up. It's Rosenda, our friendly Primary Care Bruja calling to remind Barbie about her checkup today, er, their meeting. Barbie says she's on her way and it had better be worth it. Well, if she can get the information out before being hushed in some way, it sure will be! Barbie grabs her purse and heads out the door.

Jacinto brings Esteve's suspicions to Margarita who agrees that Gardenia is capable of "all that and more." She wants to resolve it by having a talk with Gardenia (oh, cause that's worked out so well in the past). Jacinto disagrees because Gardenia is "arrebatada" (captivated by) and she could "recalar feo" (not sure on the literal, but "things could get ugly") to/with Eduardo. Margarita says it's time for Gardenia to rip Eddie out of her head and heart.

Gardenia is busy spraying a picture of Eddie with the come-hither spray she got yesterday. She explains to San Juditas (St. Jude, patron saint of lost causes) that she's not firing him or anything, but the "yerbero" (or "hierbero"--herbalist, literally, though there are other terms that might fit, depending on the limits of his job description) told her she had to pray to a particular angel to help the two of them out. She lights a red candle labeled "Salomon Dominador" (yep, that's about what it sounds like--it's for gaining control of a person or situation, "dominating" them--also look for Rey Salomon Dominador powders, soaps, and incenses at fine yerberias everywhere--Come Hither spray sold separately) and puts the Photo Shopped picture of young Eddie in front of a building at Haaavard in front of it. She prays the prayer on the back of the Arcangel Chamuel card (Arcangel Chamuel, for those times when you feel lacking in love and respect…uh, oh, but he's also supposed to help to eliminate bitter feelings!), adding that she wants Eddie all to herself and she's willing to offer the Arcangel her candle in exchange. If he actually pulls it off, I think he got a raw deal.

Fer escapes from Damian to deal with her lovesick brother. Damian whines from inside the bedroom not to close the door. Santi is on a rampage and starts to go in and give Damian what for when Damian shouts "Who are you with, Fernanda?" Fer just holds Santi back and asks what's up. Santi says Aurora is gone, she left with someone else. Fer can't believe it and asks how he knows. Damian yells for her, but she ignores him to tell Santi not to trust Evil Barbie--or she starts to, but Damian keeps shouting for her. Fer says not to believe Barbie. She reminds him that he's been the only family member who has mistrusted her from the beginning and she assures him that all Barbie does is lie. Which is patently untrue--she also steals, cheats, maims, kicks old guys down hills, and I bet she's even eaten a baby or two. Santi says he accused Barbie of being responsible for Aurora leaving and says she waited to tell him because she didn't want him to suffer. Fer makes a "yeah, right" face. Damian, from inside the room, yells "Is there anyone in this house who's coming to help me?" And right now, that screaming is so grating that I wish I could help him right out the window. Fer screams right back "Ya voy!" (I'm coming). She apologizes to Santi, for yelling, I assume. She asks how she can help Santi. Santi says he's going to re-question Barbie till he gets the truth out of her.

Barbie stops for a red light and says to herself that her plan with Obregon is going to tank if Artemio Bravo doesn't find Lili.

Margarita tells Jacinto that she understands it all now. Gardenia has been in love with Eddie for so long that any other woman is going to have to get past her first. Come on, ladies, there are enough of us, I think we can take her! Margie says there's no way Gardenia's going to let some other woman date Eddie, much less marry him! She'd rather he keep pining after his impossible love than marry Erika. Jacinto doesn't understand why she would leave Fernanda's letters on Eddie's bed, then, and the anonymous letter. Margie explains that Gardenia knows there's no way for Eduardo to end up with Fer (there is if I push Damian out the window). Jacinto wonders if Fer's marriage will last. Margie says she doesn't know, but Eddie's lost her forever. Even if she gets rid of Damian and falls for Franco, once she finds out everything Eddie's done she'll hate him forever. Well, I don't know. If he spends enough time working out and taking showers she might forgive him.

Franco calls Esteve to tell him he's got the dollars. He asks Steve to tell Jacinto to get to the hacienda and tell Fer to meet him at Las Animas. He then gleefully fills Steve in on the meeting with Anibal and Camilo.

Camilo reports to Lovely that it's all under control. "Really Cami?" Oh, ick. Something about the way she said that makes me want a shower. Mr. 5ft thinks Camilo looks like a monkey. Lovely says this is really serious. She asks if she can go back home now. He says it will all be straightened out soon. She pushes him away rather than kiss him and says that she kind of wants to but she doesn't want to. He doesn't understand. She says she feels "things" with him. So what's the problem? Oh, it's not a problem, just that she promised herself she'll not bed him till she weds him. That's right, dude, you're not getting this cow's milk for free.

Lili wakes up at EOHQ. She looks around, confused and drugged, and goes over to where Artemio has thoughtfully set up a chessboard. She looks out the window…ooh, hey, she even gets a flat screen TV. She finally ends up looking at herself in the mirror and something about it does not make her happy.

Jacinto gives Fer Franco's message. Tomasa comes barreling down the stairs to report that Damian is calling her. Really? I didn't hear anything. Has he lost his voice finally? Fernanda asks Jacinto what it's about and he says he thinks it's about Lili.

Lili now wanders out of her room and into the hallway. She walks into a room with a bar, then into Artemio's office. Artemio and the guy who kidnapped Lili both walk in, but Bravo tells the other guy to wait outside. Lili is looking out the window as he says "Liliana Elizalde." He approaches, but she walks away from him to cower against the wall. He says she looks a lot like her mother. She keeps moving away from him as he moves closer, so he goes behind his desk and pulls out an envelope filled with pictures. He takes out one of her mother and says "I'm right. You have Monserrat's eyes." before putting the picture back on the desk. "I imagine you have some questions for me, like 'What am I doing here? Who are you?'" We'll have to tune in tomorrow to see if those really are her questions as opposed to "Where's Ciro?" or "Do you have any ice cream?"

Also tomorrow, barring creative promo editing, Barbie finds out about her offspring and Damian keeps being a nuisance.

Labels: manana

I'll skip the rehash and go right to the new stuff. Mauricio has found Moni and Paula in the coffee room and is grilling them about why Beto (whom he thinks if Moni's brother and Paula's boyfriend) came and wanted to punch him out. The girls explain that he thought Maury was the mysterious Zorro at the party who took advantage (pasar de listo) of Moni and kissed her. Mauricio denies all that but does say that this is a serious place of work (really!?) and he can't have guys showing up and causing a ruckus anytime they feel like it.

Sleazy lawer is meeting with Jeronimo and Constanza. They're berating her for bringing back Dany too soon and derailing the custody dispute but Oscar concludes that while they've lost a battle, they haven't lost the war. We're going to win, he assures them. After he leaves, Jernonimo tries to get a little leverage with Connie. You're with the wrong Sermeño, he argues. You're not getting any closer to Mauricio but I'm available. She tells him to back off.

Aldo's getting love advice from Estrella, who probably has a lot of experience in this area. She tells him to have confidence. He's such a bonbon that all he has to do is grab a gal and kiss her and she'll fall into his arms. This strategy fails miserably with Katia. She's telling him all about her romance and exulting that he's such a good friend and she can confide in him when he plants a big one on her and the s... hits the fan. When Constanza learns about it, she overreacts (as usual) and calls Mauricio at work to complain that Aldo was trying to sexually abuse her sister.

But first, Constanza, whose main hobby appears to be shopping, is on the work site of her new boutique, with Ximena by her side, vowing to help her in any way she can. But first she wants to drag Connie off to the gym so she can see her gorgeous luchador Consteño. And while they're at it they can work out and take care of their cellulite. The visit doesn't go well. Connie thinks the place smells like a wet dog, and though Xime is thrilled when Costeño throws her around, Connie is not. Beto rescues Connie but wants to press his advantage by pointing out the fire there is between them....they're hopelessly drawn to each other, doesn't she think? She doesn't.

A romantic interlude. One of many teases during this episode. Mauricio and Moni, in the coffee room, are discussing the stolen Zorro kisses. He turns out the light and their lips almost touch but then Gabriela storms in. Someone pointed out today that our Gaby never knocks, just interrupts. Anyway, after our would be lovers guiltily scoot out, Gaby notices the incredible heat in the room. Clearly these two are meant to be.

There's a later scene where we learn that Oscar stood Gaby up last night and he's trying to repair the damage with a lot of phony excuses. Gabi is unimpressed until she notice Salvador listening in, and then she becomes much more interested in the sleazy guy.

Ximene's giving Constanza a life skills lecture. You need to be on an antidepressant. You're bitter. How long as it been since....you know? Clearly you've been on a love diet. We need to get you fixed up. Uh oh. This doesn't bode well. Xime, no fool, also points out that Connie has really had it in for the kids and if she truly wants to get Mauricio back she'd better ramp up the sweetness.

Meanwhile, back at the office, Beto's calling to ask for money (what's new) and Moni's quitting her job for the umpteenth time (also what's new).

After the ads, Connie wastes no time in putting the sweetness strategy to work. She asks forgiveness of Aldo for her overreaction, vows to start over and gives him a kiss (which he wipes off as soon as she leaves).

Ricardo shows up at the office and asks Paula to go out that evening, even though he still seems to have a yen for Estrella. There's some double entendres about getting him out of his chauffeur's uniform and her being the way God brought her into the world (nude) and they decide he's stopping by for her at 9 pm.

Estrella, meanwhile, is spending some more time with Aldo, commiserating about his lack of success with Katia. She's clearly got some regrets about letting that one special guy get away. Don't know if she's thinking of Ricardo or not.

Now a little romantic montage complete with music. Monita and Mauricio in the rain, in the cabin and lips meeting in the romantic Zorro kiss. But when Mauricio calls Moni on the cellphone, she doesn't answer.

Sweetness strategy part II. Connie's going to cook dinner. Evidently the sweetness doesn't include Teresa because she orders her around in her usual rude way...peel me 3 kilos of potatoes! and puts together a chicken dish with exotic spices that nobody wants to eat. The kids all request quesadillas.

Wow...Xime's romance with Costeño is already history. In spite of the chemistry between them, he doesn't know Belinda, her favorite singer. Clearly the relationship is doomed.

An odd scene with a furtive looking guy, skulking around the neighborhood and opening up a briefcase of money. We find out later, he's an old beau (husband?) of Nieves. There's a funny interlude where she comes to the door with a big roller in her hair, sees him, takes out the roller and comes back all seductive. Clearly these two have a history and he may even be Beto's father.

The chicken dinner has ended in tears, with Constanza tromping off bawling that nothing she ever does turns out right. Mauricio assures her that he cares for her. She replies that if he really cared, he wouldn't be confused about their relationship. They used to be so good together. Kisses begin and the inevitable occurs. They end up in bed together. And even though he's imagining making love to Monita, it's Constanza to whom it says, That was the best ever. I love you. And of course she replies that she loves him too.

Previews:
Nieves is trying to explain to Aldo that Estrella is of "the world's oldest profession" You mean "an actress"? he asks.
Mauricio tries to persuade Moni to come back to work. I need you, is his argument.
However, when she does come back to work, Connie informs her that she and Mauricio are a couple again.
A furious Beto confronts his mom about her shenigans with this new man. Is this our son? asks mystery man.

No vocabulary or dichos tonight. I'm running a fever and feel about as bad as I can ever remember feeling. But this will give you a springboard for discussion tommorow.

Labels: gancho

Inaki and Paloma in the park. Inaki says te quiero. Paloma arrives outside the art classes place and thinks He kissed me!

The art teacher, Clara, talks to Mac and Paloma about how she feels that it’s important for students to learn to express themselves. She explains the various media she teaches and shows some of the other students’ work. Paloma is either happy about the classes or she still has a buzz on from Inaki’s kiss.

Meantime Carlota is skulking around the house grumbling that her sister has defied her and she can’t allow it. She’s going around someone’s room (Mac’s?) putting things in a big plastic trash bag.

Now Mac and Paloma are walking home. Mac says Inaki looks like a wonderful guy. She asks if Paloma is happy about going to the bar on Friday and of course Paloma is stoked. Mac says maybe that’s why you were so distracted at the art teacher’s. Paloma says actually yes – it’ll be my first time ever at a bar. Mac says the first time for everything is exciting.

Paloma asks Mac how she’s going to get it past Carlota. She’s worried Mac will have problems with her. Mac says just leave it to me. Paloma says she knows Carlota won’t pay for the art classes and Mac says she has some jewelry she inherited from her folks and she’ll sell some of it. She never wears it anyway. She wants Paloma to have the life she herself never had.

Paloma says will you maybe one day tell me your secret? It must be something big. Mac says why do you want to hear it? Paloma says because it would help me understand why you and Carlota are the way you are. Because you love each other, but at the same time you hate each other.

Inaki is visiting German in his office. He’s all excited about Paloma coming to the club. He’s in love! He’s never felt this way before! German wants to know if Paloma loves him back. Inaki says he doesn’t know, but he’s hopeful. (You know, the usual guy talk.)

Inaki asks if German is bringing a date. German says he doesn’t have a girlfriend right now. German says get one! Ask Romina or Paloma if they know someone for you. Ask Romina? says German. Sure, says Inaki, why not?

Paloma asks Mac if she can stop by Romina’s. Mac says sure, and besides she herself has to go hear from Carlota about how her comportment has not been up to snuff. Paloma is worried, but Mac says she’ll do anything to keep Paloma smiling the way she is now.

Sure enough, Carlota is waiting, sitting straight-backed in the half light under the stairs with a book, and demands to know where Paloma is. Mac says I let her go visit Romina because I knew you were going to put on a scene and I didn’t want her to witness it.

Paloma gushes to Romina that Inaki kissed her and that Mac is supporting her and will let her go to the bar. Romina is happy for her. Paloma says my life is finally changing! Romina gives her a quick romance tutorial. She says if Inaki kissed her, that means more than friendship – he wants to be her novio. Paloma says but we can’t be novios because I’m not sure that I love him. Romina says did you like the kiss?

Oh, yeah, says Paloma. Romina says then go ahead and be his novia, and you can figure out later if you love him. Paloma says he hasn’t asked me. Romina says big deal, Emiliano never asked me and look at us now! Paloma says I want to wait to be asked, I want to make sure he’s not just playing with me. Romina says let things happen and find out!

Carlota is telling Mac off. She sweeps through the house, Mac in tow. Let’s listen in:

M: I’m tired of you just doing whatever you want.
C: You can’t even run you own life decently, much less Paloma’s.
M: I’ve paid dearly for that, and now I’m going show that I can be a very strong woman.
C: Oh yeah? And to what do we owe your sudden development of a backbone?
M: My love for Paloma. I’m going to stand up for her and for myself.
C: Don’t you remember what all I did for you after our father died? And that it was your fault that he died?
M: I live with that burden. But why do you have to take it out on Paloma? Why are you trying to destroy her life?
C: You wrecked your own life. I don’t want to ruin Paloma’s, I just want her raised to be decent.
M: So you keep her locked up like a prisoner in this house?
C: If Javier (the brother killed in the accident) had trusted you to raise Paloma properly, he would have named you as guardian, not me.
M: He knew that nobody could love her as I do.
C: Love isn’t enough. What’s important is limits and discipline. If you keep on like this, I’m going to tell her the truth.
M: Maybe that would be better, and not to keep living all these lies.
C: And what do you think Paloma would think of you if she knew? She’d hate you, she’d despise you for the rest of her life.

Carlota heads up the stairs, leaving Mac with tears in her eyes.

Now we’re in for some juicy gossip! Angelica hands Inez (!) her rent envelope and Inez puts it in her purse. She says she wishes all her renters were so punctual with their rent. Does Angelica miss the capital? No, says Angelica, I love it here. It’s so peaceful. Inez asks if she’s liking her work. Angelica says yes, but it amazes her that there are families that are like something out of the last century (meaning probably the 1800s, not the 1900s). Oooo, like who? says Inez. Angelica says the Espinoza de los Monteros! They are so strict with Paloma, poor thing.

Inez pops her eyebrows. She says Carlota is unique, she’s very respected around here. I’d go so far to say that she serves as an example of rectitude to many people here in town. I’ve heard that when she was young, she was a terror. I didn’t live here then, but my aunt told me she was a real hypocrite. My aunt has since died and at the time I didn’t pay a lot of attention. But since Carlota is so respected now, I think it’s better I hold my tongue.

Angelica says I have a professional interest in this - I’d like to learn more about the family. Paloma is one of my students and she has tons of potential. If I could find out more, maybe I could help her.

Okay, we know gossip is bad, and we know a psychologist talking about people’s private matters is also bad, but wasn’t that fun anyway?

We see the exterior of a fancy house at night. Emiliano is inside working, and his boss Orlando comes in and asks him what he’s doing. He says he’s looking over the publicity campaign. Orlando is very pleased with his hard work and long hours. He admires his ability and self-confidence. But don’t forget families and girlfriends need time too!

Emiliano says do you have a wife? Orlando turns serious. I did, he says, but I’d rather not talk about it. Good night.

Paloma is studying. There is a framed photo of her and Inaki on her desk. When was that taken? Won’t Carlota see it? Anyway, she looks up from her book and remembers their kiss. Her cell rings and it’s Inaki. She’s thrilled. He was hoping she’d show up in the park. She said her aunt couldn’t take her. He wants to see her! He wonders if she can look out her window.

She goes out onto her balcony and they reenact Romeo and Juliet, only with cell phones. He wants her to come down and talk in person, but she says that her aunt is out and could come back at any moment, she doesn’t dare. He just wants to know if she’s as happy as he is. Yes! He says he’ll look for her at the park tomorrow.

Goodbye, my love, he says. Paloma’s knees almost buckle. She wobbles back into her room. Inaki stands in the bushes, smiling broadly. Paloma is thrilled. He said my love!

Mac is in bed having tea. She asks Rufi where Paloma is. Rufi says in her room studying. Mac says don’t tell her I’m not feeling well. Rufi says I bet it’s because of that big fight you and Carlota had. Mac says just watch, she’s going to change into a strong woman.

She wonders about her torn-up photo. Was Rufi able to tape it together? Rufi says no and teases her a bit, then presents her with the big 8x10 she had made. Mac is thrilled.

Turns out Carlota is at the coffee house pumping the waitress for any information about Inaki. The waitress has found out that his mother, who is Spanish too, has a house in town and the musicians stay there every year during the festival. His parents are divorced and his father has remarried and lives in Mexico City. She doesn’t know what his profession is, but apparently he’s quite rich. Carlota says is your information reliable? The waitress says my aunt cleans his mom’s house when they’re din town.

Emiliano stops by Camila’s shop where she’s just closing up. He thanks her for helping his father out by discussing his designs. She’s happy to help. He says he’s going to ask Romina if she wants to go to the movies – she wanted to go the other day, but he had too much work.

Camila says Romina’s used to things going her way because over the years she was trying to make up for what Romina was missing. She had hoped she’d mature. He says why don’t you come along to the movies? Camila is charmed, but says that wouldn’t be fun for the young couple. He insists that it would be. She says she’ll just finish closing up and she’ll come along.

Mac is still talking to Rufi, wondering how she can get Paloma to that bar. Rufi says why don’t you go with her? Mac says at my age? Rufi says you only live once, plus adults like music! I’m older than you and I like it! Mac says what would I do in a bar with Paloma and her friends? Rufi says take Camila! She said she’d help, remember.

Mac says you missed your calling – you should have been a matchmaker! I’ll give it careful consideration. Rufi says sleep on it and then I’m sure you’ll like the idea. You have the right to go out and have some fun too. They share an affectionate laugh.

German has arrived at Romina’s. He checks that his breath is okay, then rings. She comes to the door and he says can he come in? He just wants to ask a favor. She is smilingly skeptical, but she says he has to hurry, her mother is due home any minute.

Carlota tries to get into Paloma’s room but it’s locked. Paloma opens it and says the lock must have set itself. Carlota presents her with some large art paper and says she approves of Paloma’s art classes. In fact, she wants Paloma to feel free to take her into her confidence and to talk to her as she would to her mother. Carlota says even if you don’t believe it, I love you. And indeed, Paloma looks skeptical.

Romina is flirty with German. She says he mustn’t forget their pact. Your pact, says German, I never agreed to it. She flops on his lap playfully. He says he just came because he wants her to find a date for him for Friday when Inaki is playing. Me? No way! she says.

They hear the door and pop up and sit in opposite chairs. Camila looks surprised and Emiliano says German? ¿Qué haces aquí?

Commerical break and there’s that panting again! Could it be that this show is haunted by the wraith of the Yorkie? Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! Or maybe the Dog Whisperer?

Romina runs over and gives Emiliano a kiss. He repeats ¿Qué haces aquí? German says he came to find both of them so see if they could rustle up a date for him for Friday night. Camila excuses herself. Emiliano runs after her and says what about the movie? He invites German too who says okay. Camila begs off and after they leave, her eyes dart around.

Paloma looks out her window and sees Romina leave with her arms looped through the arms of her two galans. Paloma wonders what’s up with that.

Camila has tea alone and thinks of Romina saying she won’t let Emiliano cheat on her like her father did to Camila. She remembers Romina wondering what became of her father – does he still live out of the country? Does he care that he abandoned us?

Camila thoughtbubbles that she will never forgive him for his abandoning his daughter.

Mac is holding the paintbrushes that Carlota bought and wonders how she knew exactly what Paloma needed. Paloma doesn’t know. Mac notes that they are high quality and Paloma wonders how she knows about paintbrushes. Was she an artist once? Mac says you can just tell that they’re very fine.

Paloma wonders if Carlota is starting to see her as a woman and not a child. Mac says I hope so, but with her you never know. Paloma says she said I should be able to confide in her. Maybe I should tell her about Inaki. Mac says it’s best to take baby steps and not say anything yet.

At the theater, Emiliano leaves German to get the popcorn and sodas and he heads to the bathroom. German grabs Romina by the arm and says he needs her to find him a date. She smilingly says no way. He says this all very uncomfortable for him. She says you’re crazy about me and you’d rather share me than be alone. She gives his ear a nibble.

Carlota is in her room praying and sighs deeply when Mac comes in and interrupts her. Mac wants to know how Carlota knew exactly what Paloma needed for art class. Carlota says I’m supporting your idea – I just asked around. Mac says she wanted the pleasure of buying those things for Paloma. You should have consulted me at least.

Carlota says look at you – I’m trying for us to be at peace, and you want to start up a war. Mac says I hope that’s your motive.

Paloma is in bed and she gets a text message. It’s Inaki saying sweet nothings. She texts back that he’s her good-luck charm. Since he came into her life, things have started changing. He texts back that she has made him the happiest person on earth. He’ll wait for her by the school. Te quiero. She’s thrilled. She jumps out of bed and says a heartfelt prayer of thanks.

Mac is looking through her drawers for something she can’t find. We see Carlota dumping some prescription meds in the toilet. (Is that all she put in that huge trash bag? One pill bottle? Also, why are the 5 or 6 pills different colors?)

It’s morning and Romina comes down for breakfast. Camila is stern with her about coming home twice and finding German alone with her. It’s not proper. Romina argues, then stomps out to school.

Rufi is cooking breakfast and now Mac is looking for her pills in the kitchen. She’s supposed to take them every day! Rufi says she’ll go pick some up at the pharmacy. Mac says she’s going to go talk to Camila before she leaves for work. She’s going to ask her if she’ll go to the bar on Friday night.

Carlota has called the mother superior at the school. She says she wonders if she is aware of the kind of people she has working for her. Of course she means Angelica and she complains that Angelica is poking into their private life. The MS agrees that that’s not appropriate.

Mac is talking to Camila but hasn’t come to the point yet.

Romina and Paloma are walking in the halls at school and Paloma reproaches her for going to the movies with both Emiliano and German. She says Romina knows German is interested in her. Romina says that’s German’s problem; she’s novios with Emiliano.

Romina tells her nothing happened, Miss Perfect. She says if Emiliano ever asks, Paloma is to say that she and German don’t have anything going on. Paloma isn’t happy and Romina says I don’t live a cloistered life like you.

Camila thinks it would be a great idea! They might feel a bit odd, but it would be fun to go to the bar and hear the music. She tells Mac she’s a little unhappy about Romina who seems to have a bit of an attitude. Is it Romina’s age or how she raised her? Mac assures her she’s been a wonderful mother. Camila is afraid Romina’s had her way too much. Mac says at our house it’s the opposite and she’s worried that Paloma has been too repressed. She wants to stand up for Paloma so she can spread her wings. She herself was never able to.

Now the MS is having a stern talk with Angelica, telling her not to mess in the students’ private lives. Angelica says she explained to Carlota that she was worried about Paloma’s emotional development. The MS points out what a terrific student Paloma is. Angelica says yes, but she’s shy and frightened of her aunt. The MS says you can help her, but don’t get her aunts involved.

Angelica is impassioned. She says Paloma needs a boost to her self-esteem. She needs to know how to live in her own home. Their household seems to be incredibly rigid. The MS says your job is to pay more attention to students who are falling behind, like Romina. Angelica says her situation is very different.

The MS says Carlota has an irreproachable reputation in this school and in town. Stay out of it. Angelica says I will do as you say, but that doesn’t mean that I approve of the repression that Paloma has to live with.

Rufi comes home and tells Mac that all the pharmacies are out of her med. Mac says she’ll just go to the doctor and get a different prescription.

Rafael and Joel come by Camila’s shop to talk about the ceramics designs.

Carlota hovers outside some house and sees Inaki leaving. She goes and rings and a cleaning lady answers. Carlota says are you Arcadia? I’d like to make you a lucrative offer.

Mac gets in to the doctor’s the same day! What a great medical system. The doctor is surprised to hear that she had a fainting spell. Mac says but Carlota called at the time. She didn’t call me, says the doctor. He has a new med that’s supposed to be even better, but she’ll have to inject it. She says that’s fine if it helps. He steps out the room and she clearly remembers her sister calling Dr Bermudez.

Paloma and Romina are coming out of school arm-in-arm, laughing and talking. Inaki shows up. Romina complains that her teachers have it in for her. Inaki gives Paloma a peck on the cheek and two roses. Romina flirts none for me? Inaki snaps Paloma with his cell phone. He has Romina take a picture of the two of them. Romina says she’s not headed directly home and leaves.

Inaki asks Paloma if he can walk her home. He promises to leave her at the corner so her aunt doesn’t see. On the way, he stops and tells her he can’t hide his feelings. Will she be his novia? She says she doesn’t know what she feels for him and his face falls. But she says she thinks it’s love, so yes! They hug happily. He says together they can overcome all obstacles. They kiss.

Guess who’s driving by? Carlota. Busted!

Avances: Romina is leading on both of her admirers.

Labels: amor

Ok a lot happened today, or at least it felt like it, so I hope my descriptions aren’t too sparse. I just can’t make myself (or find the time to ) translate entire conversations, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.

Obregon walks across the lawn at the hacienda to leave a big flowery cross in honor of Barb dying. Wouldn’t a pitchfork be more appropriate? Barb herself comes out the door. They stop and stare at each other in shock. While Obregon blubbers, Barb tells him that this is his lucky day, he’s going to make some money. And, for good measure, he’s got the leverage, Barb’s fate is in his hands.

Fr/Ed, Fernanda, and Santiago (hereafter referred to as ‘team Fr/Ed’) are driving around when Fr/Ed’s phone rings. It’s Erika, Fr/Ed talks to her while drilling holes in the back of Fernanda’s head with his eyes. Fernanda, in turn, is being super metiche and trying to listen in. Erika invites Fr/Ed over to dinner with her parents, Fr/Ed drops hints that he is going to use the opportunity to formalize things with her family.

On the phone, Esteve tells Loafly (whoever first coined Loafly and/or Loave-ly, you are a genius! So perfect.) about his conversation with Camilo. Esteve is giddy, they have him right where they want him. The plan is finally becoming more clear, they wanted ‘little Camilo’ to get the rest of Camilo in a bind so they had some power over him. Loafly’s next job is to make Camilo feel like he has to ‘rescue’ her. Seems to me like they already did that part, but I guess they mean something bigger and more permanent than a place to crash. She asks Esteve if the Loafly character is the kind of woman he likes. Before he can answer, noticing Gardenia listening in at the door, Esteve says he’ll call her later and hangs up. In the apartment alone after hanging up, Loafly says she’s sure he likes that kind of woman and she is going to transform herself into that kind of woman for real. Finally the Esteve/Venus romance is being set up. And Esteve is going waaaaaay out of his league on this one, good for him. Once she ditched the hoochie look and chewing gum, Loafly is super hot. I understand how Camilo got himself in trouble here.

Adolfina tells team Fr/Ed (who came to the manicomio) that Obregon called her this morning and she assured him that Barb was dead. Fr/Ed says perfecto.

Some really ugly guy, tall with stupid looking glasses, arrives at the gate of the manicomio.
He looks like this guy (Bob Rohrman, Chicago area car dealer)- GAH!
He gives his name to the guard as Borja Treviño. He claims to be researching the place for a relative. Stereotypically fat and stupid guard lets him in.

Team Fr/Ed tells Adolfina that Lily is missing.

Barb takes Obregon to the hacienda chapel and locks them in with a padlock. She turns on him and demands to know where Lily is.

Lily is wandering around still, she says she’s going to find Ciro!

Team Fr/Ed is wondering if the new psychiatrist is in cahoots with Obregon and they took Lily, this all happened right after she showed up.

Treviño comes to the office, Adolfina tells him he’ll have to wait a few minutes, he says he’ll go take a walk while he waits.

Lily arrives at the gate of the manicomio, fat dumb guard lets her in and watches her wander off.

Barb tells Obregon how he supposedly is demanding ransom, Obregon is going to have a heart attack from the whole thing. She says he can call Gonzalo and see how he reacts to know she isn’t lying.

On his little walk, Treviño sees Lily and can’t believe his luck. He checks his photos, yup it’s her.

Adolfina receives a call from the guard (finally) that Lily is here on the premises. Took him long enough. For some reason, everyone DOESN’T immediately run outside.

Lily has another hallucination, Ciro’s window opens and he is there, waving her to come in. Instead of going in, she stands there with that goofy smile on her face and Treviño comes up and grabs her.

Team Fr/Ed is finally done wasting time and decides to go outside.

Treviño puts something over Lily’s mouth to make her pass out, he drags her towards his car.

Barb gives Obregon a cell phone, he calls his own phone with it to verify that it shows up as a blocked number.

Treviño is driving now with Lily in the back seat, he calls Artemio Bravo who tells him to bring Lily to him.

Obregon calls Gonzalo, who freaks out at hearing who it is. Obregon lets him rant for a bit and then hangs up. Barb gives him a ‘see I told you’ look.

Aurora (aw man I was enjoying not having any Aurora story in this episode. This might be the first time I hated a storyline so much that I didn’t want a pretty girl on screen) walks down the street and thinks that she should call Santiago and explain things.

Santiago finds out from dumb fat guard that the last car leaving didn’t have plates, it had a dealer tag still on it, it was Mr. Treviño. Santi’s phone rings, it’s Aurora on the other end but she says nothing and hangs up, even after Santi says “Aurora is that you?” He looks extremely sad after the hangup.

Aurora decides that she just has to leave Santiago behind, good bye forever. Really? Promise? Unless you are going to increase the frequency of the underwear scenes, that is.

Barbara explains how Obregon is going to help with her plan, he really has no choice.

Team Fr/Ed runs around looking for Lily.

Obregon says he showed up at the hacienda for Barb’s funeral, but it appears someone told him the wrong thing. Barb does a HORRIBLE fake evil laugh, it was just awful. She starts writing down instructions for him. He gets really bent out of shape again over the whole thing, but comically. She tells him he’s going to have to call Gonz again and he almost can’t take it. She basically says she’ll kill him if he doesn’t do his part.

I love you! Wait sorry that was just a little note my wife wrote in my notebook when I went to the bathroom. I love you too honey, even though I know you aren’t reading this.

Santiago talks through it, figuring out that Treviño must have taken Lily.

Treviño brings Lily into Bravo’s office. He must be just down the street from the hacienda and manicomio, they are all like a five minute drive apart.

As team Fr/Ed prepares to split up, Fr/Ed says now they have to wait for Obregon to call (they still think he’s behind the whole thing). Fernanda tells Fr/Ed that while Santiago knows about they having Lily, she didn’t tell him the part about the recording and Lily saying Barb killed their mother. She gets a text message on her phone from Damian, who complains that she said she wouldn’t leave him for even an instant and she’s not keeping her promise. As she leaves, Fr/Ed says “Fernanda…….. nothing.” That age old “please beg me to tell you what I claim to not want to tell you” passive/aggressive BS. After she walks away he tells himself that there is no way she was the one who left the letter on his bed.

In the car, Santiago asks Fer what else is going on with her and Fr/Ed, he can tell. She admits there is something, but they don’t get any further.

Esteve tells Jacinto that he wants his opinion on something, starting with – Gardenia is totally in love with Fr/Ed, right?

Some Mexican Tommy Chong is selling magic love potions on the street, Gardenia gets caught up in his bit and wants to buy two. He sells her an array of sprays, lotions, potions, candle, angel card, etc.

Esteve tells Jacinto about the letters from Fernanda and the letter addressed to ‘Eduardo Juarez’, the strange things that have happened lately.

Camilo tells Anibal about the Loafly situation, how Esteve is crazy and he’s mixed up with his niece, now he’s stuck in a tight spot. Anibal is pissed, which is how he wakes up in the morning anyway. He eventually asks if Camilo slept with her, Cam says I wish! Anibal tells the receptionist to find Fr/Ed, he’s going to ask him for help.

Jacinto tells Esteve that Gardenia has always been in love with Fr/Ed and is a bit nuts, so she is perfectly capable of the things Esteve told him about. Just then Erika arrives, when she finds out Fr/Ed isn’t home, she gives Esteve a card to give him. It’s an invitation for tonight, where everything will be formalized. Esteve says, basically, “eh whatever.” Erika asks if he isn’t happy about Erika and Fr/Ed getting married, Esteve just shrugs.

Fernanda comes home, Damian is quite angry with her for leaving. He says lately strange things have been happening around this house. She asks, like what? He says like your romance with Franco Santoro! Super end of show impactada with camera tricks for Fernanda. Whoa.

Tomorrow – Gardenia uses all the love potion/sprays/candles that Mexican Tommy Chong gave her and Damian demands sex from Fernanda.

Labels: manana

Hi folks. Gotta get this done before I pass out. Had to try the new painkiller tonight, and that plus a killer sore throat...well, I'm just downright incoherent. So here's what I THINK happened tonight. Counting on your sharpies to correct any glaring errors.

We open with the fetching view of Beto, desnudo, artfully covered by plants. He scares some kids, gets called a degenerate, covers himself up with a box and arrives home to the concern of Nieves (did they take advantage of you?) and the ire of Estrella (I'm gonna kill ya for losing that expensive Zorro costume!) He's in big trouble but being Beto, doesn't really cop to it.

At the office, Monita, in incredibly short shorts, is trying to ascertain if Mauricio is limping (thereby proving he's her secret Zorro lover). She thinks she knows after seeing him stagger with pain, but he makes up a story about playing soccer with Ivan and Aldo and overdoing it. Seems the lies go both ways with this couple.

Now the drama: Bernarda arrives at the office to tell him someone's denounced him for being an unfit father. Everybody's worried. Teresa, Monita both are fretting, but even so Ivan, thanks to frantic hand signals from Mauricio, is backing up his fib about playing soccer the other day. Let's get our lies straight before handling the custody problem!

Skullduggery at the park. While Luisa and Aldo are distracted, Constanza makes off with Dany, (but not before Dany calls her "Mostranza"! good one, Dany)promising a celebration dinner with Mauricio because...uh...because they're back together! Of course that doesn't work out, she quickly tires of being a nanny; and after shopping she tries to bribe Dany with an ice cream but the little squirt takes off. Once she's found, the poor tired mite, sobbing away, manages to convince Connie to take her home.

And just in time. The nasty social worker, Gertrudis, is about to come to blows with both Monita and Mauricio, threatening to haul off the two older kids and denounce him to the judge and then initiate the search for Dany.

Saved by the bell. Connie arrives, Dany runs in, ecstatic to see Mauricio. Hugs all around, and the dreaded interview is put off until the next day. Social worker huffs out and Mauricio starts in on Connie, berating her for taking off with Dany without telling anyone. Not in front of the "personnel" (Monita) she protests!

Alright, let's lighten up a little with our beloved Ximena. She's gushing to bro' about the new Love of Her Life (to be named later, since they didn't quite get to formal introductions). She does her patented" I want to tell you three things: "1) the heart doesn't know from money 2) the heart doesn't know from the economy 3) my heart is bursting with happiness! Ah, who could get mad? Well, Jeronimo could. You heart beats with credit cards that I have to pay, he snarls. And after she flounces off, he muses "Why wasn't I born an only child?"

After the ads, we get to see Oscar the Creep oozing all over Gabriela. Salvador doesn't like it and neither do we, but our favorite gal pal seems to be eating it up with a spoon. Sample dialogue. Oscar...Miss me. Gabriela. Miss me too! Oscar, How can I miss you when I carry you in my heart always. Ugh. Later, Gaby almost gets a clue when she walks in on the conference with Jerry and overhears them talking about "the plan" and "the kids". She rightly smells a rat and thinks it might have to do with Mauricio's custody problems, but Oscar blows that right out of her mind by saying they were talking about Oscar's plans to marry Gaby and have children. She caves. Ay yi yi. Wise up, dear one.

The custody dispute is temporarily on hold. Gabriela remains clueless in spite of Salvador's efforts to make her see what a swine Oscar is. And Beto? He overhears Estrella talking about Mauricio's turn as the Zorro that kissed Monita and he's ready to tear the office and the head honcho to bits. He arrives in full macho mode, gets tackled by various personnel including, thank God, the security guards, and is ushered out before any harm gets done (other than the potted plant he kicked).

More fun with Ximena. She's now confessing to Rolu that he's a thing of the past. The new Love, the Real One, has shown up and she has to break it to him, even though she knows it will destroy him. Rolu, ever the gentleman, doesn't even pretend to be upset. "Me vale un reverendo pepino" (I could care less) he snarls and tells her to get out of his car. Dear Ximena, who clearly lives in an alternate universe, a very pleasant one, I might add, assures him compassionately that he'll get over it. (yeah, in a microsecond, Xime) and then concludes sadly "It's not good to break hearts." What a love. Not sure I want to see her reproduce but she's a sweetie.

Alright, how are we going to solve the problem of Beto's jealousy? Our Estrella, who appears a little codependent in her zeal to fix all Monita's problems, has come up with the solution. Another gooney guy, clearly smitten by her charms, agrees to pose as Zorro so Beto will think he (Chubi) is the one who was smooching Monita at the party. Poor devil pays dearly for his good deed. Not only does Beto bust him but Monita punches him out as well. He takes off running and Beto is in hot pursuit. Later, our smelly galan returns with the cape he tore off the hapless Chubi and Estrella has another expensive rental to account for. Poor lady! She means well.

With the snippy social worker off to berate Mauricio another day, Constanza and he are having a heart to heart. She's bleating that she always does things wrong and that's why he hates her, right? No, I'm very fond of you, he answers. You came into my life at a really low point and helped me immensely. Well, that's what hurts, sniffles Connie. Now that you're feeling better, you want to toss me aside. (Can't disagree with that, Constanza. You're clearly "old news" in this guy's life.)

After our gal leaves, we see Mauricio having dinner with a very subdued group of kids. You know the kind of dinner I mean, right? No one talking and all you can hear are the clink of sad little dishes and plates. We've had a few of those at my house. Well, turns out Luisa is worried they'll be taken away from Mauricio. No way. You're my kids. No one is taking you. Luisa and Dany rush to hug him and lo! even Aldo melts and tentatively gets in on the group hug. It's a miracle!

Monita and Beto have made up, now that he thinks it was poor mangled Chubi who stole the kisses. But he still intends to go back to the office to "mark his territory" as regards Moni. Man, I can just about see Beto actually lifting a leg and whizzing on that potted plant he kicked. And Salvador is trying to mark his territory also...or at least warn Gabriela, who is clearly dolling herself up for a night of erstatz passion with slimy Oscar.

And the next day at the office, we see that Mauricio has not grown any brain cells overnight. Salvador tries to warn him that Cardenas is up to something with Jeronimo. After all, why now is he being denounced as an unfit father...just when he changed his will to benefit the kids? Maury chalks it up to Sal's jealousy about Oscar's attentions to Gaby. After all, Jerry PROMISED he'd change.

Does it worry you that this charming but empty-headed lug is head of an important company? Is it guys like this who are holding the Mexican economy back? Well, hey, we know it's a lot more complicated than that, but I tremble to think that a lot of paychecks are depending on Mauricio's empty head. On the other hand....his lips!....but that's for the previews.

previews:

Two sets:

First set: Connie's evidently decided the way to Mauricio's heart is through his stomach. Alas, she can't cook. She's made a meal that no one can stomach.
Aldo's back at Estrella's and he's looking like he's muy enamorado. She looks intrigued. Guess she's forgotten Hombre's dicho about the problems with sleeping with young 'uns.

Second set:
Connie's whining to Ximene that she's losing Mauricio. And Ximene's giving her love advice (do we blame her for the disastrous cuisine?)
And Monita and Mauricio are nose to nose, eyeball to eyeball and almost lip to lip in the coffee room, and she's saying that she'll never forget the feel, the taste of his lips (yum!) and were she ever to kiss those luscious lips again, why she'd know!.....
Tune in tomorrow to see if they actually smooch. I'm sure hoping they do.

No vocab or dichos tonight. Study on your own folks.

Labels: gancho

Still over at Lili’s, Eduardo is trying to determine from Martina if Lili might have given a clue as to where she went. He asks if she had said or done something out of the ordinary. Martina is still on a guilt trip and only remembers that Lili changed from being very happy to withdrawing into herself [enconcharse = going into one’s shell] and staring continually out the window after her visit with Dr. Sotomayor.

While Fernanda ponders a tactful way to say NO! to the big K question, Dam starts pawing at her. Unwilling to roll over and let him rub her ...uh...belly and pant, Fer tries to wriggle away and tells him it’s too soon to start thinking about having kids, and says that he should recuperate first. She’s saved by a mercifully insistent knock on the door from Santiago and goes into the hallway to see what’s up. Dam listens through the door as Santi tells her frantically that Aurora (whom I not so affectionately now think of as Ah-wah-wah!) is nowhere to be found; that Aurora supposedly went to bed with a cold but when he went to find her, she was gone along with all her things. He thinks she might be in town at church and wants to go look for her there now.

Ah-wah-wah! though, is wandering the streets in the big city. (It’s unclear which, but who cares?)

At the apartment, Camilo is commiserating with pouty, pucker-lipped, Loafly (definitely a keeper, Julie), aka Venus, who’s successfully set a very sticky trap for our pesky horse-fly, Cad. Cadmilo assures Loafly he will go talk to “Uncle Estev” and sound him out for her. She says she’s afraid her “uncle” might come to fisty-cuffs with him he’s so furious with her. Cad says it’s not likely and once he gets a lead on Uncle Estev’s mood, he’ll return so they can decide what to do next. He blows her a kiss good-bye and heads for the door. Venus gets up and goes over to the window to display the goods, making sure to show a lot of leg before demurely calling “Cami” back to her. She gives him a modest “thank you” kiss on the lips. Cad automatically goes for the goal, but Loafly pushes him away. To Viewerville’s amazement the guy actually backs off and apologizes! He then blows her another kiss good-bye and leaves. Venus cannot hold back the giggles once he’s out the door.

Back in Fernanda’s bedroom, Damian (who is just such a whore) continues pushing for her to have his baby. It’s a battle of wills, if not wits, and Fer politely brushes the distasteful idea aside again, repeating that he needs to think of getting better but that she’ll be there all the way to help him. He presses his advantage and asks her to promise she won’t leave his side for an instant, neither day nor night. (Say what?) Nanda does a double-take. Her cell phone starts ringing incessantly, but because it’s Fr/Ed she refuses to answer. Dam smiles mischievously. There’s a devilish glint in his eyes when he asks if she’s going to answer or not. She lies and says it’s only the office and nothing really important. He pushes for the 24-7 commitment again. She deflects and says she’ll be there to attend to him, but avoids promising to literally stick with him every minute. (Thank gawd for a telenovela heroine with a spine and a few solidly stubborn brain cells for a change.)

Eddie has finally figured out how to leave a voice-mail on a cell phone. He leaves a message for Fernanda to call him immediately.

Damian picks up Fernanda’s cell and tells her she’s got a message. He goads her about calling to get it. (Tell her again where it hurts, Dam. Maybe she’ll bang it accidentally on purpose a couple times with that cell phone.) Just then Babs comes into the room to take over for Fer since her daddy is waiting to talk to her in the library downstairs. Fer is glad for the interruption. (So am I.) She grabs her cell and scrams. Dam glares. Bitch Barbie snickers. “You can’t complain about all the attention you’re getting from your ‘faithful’ wife now can you?” Damian sneers back that BB could have at least warned him about what she had in mind before shooting him. Barbie looks back at him like where would all the fun be in that?

Nanda walks downstairs and picks up the message from Fr/Ed. She is about to return the call when Daddy interrupts and calls her into the library. Upstairs Damian reads the riot act to BB for first making him a fugitive and then shooting him in the leg and leaving him to die. She tells him he should be thankful for everything he’s gotten out of that gunshot wound. Because of it –all thanks to her ingenuity-- he’s now a hero instead of a villain.

Gonzo fills in Fer on Babs’ latest “call” from Dr. Oh! and Obregon’s “demands” to come up with the money in the next 24 hrs. or else. She asks her papi again how he can be so sure Obregon’s got Lili. He says because the guy’s got everything so well organized (unlike you, dude) and tomorrow he is going to tell them when and where to deliver the money. (Sort o’ makes ya want to stuff a bottle of smart pills down the old fart’s throat, doesn’t it?) Nanda’s dying to tell him the truth and sighs in frustration. Gonzo mistakes it as worry on her part and tells her to have faith because soon Lili will be home again with them.

Upstairs, Damian is griping about having to lie helpless in bed for gawd knows how long. BB says the longer the better. He complains that while he’s lying there playing the victim his wife has that much more opportunity to screw around on him with Franco Santoro. She says “Exactly! So your suffering will be that much more obvious to everyone!” Dam doesn’t think he can handle that. His male ego is just not capable of it. Barbara tells him then, as consolation, she’ll be there to stroke his ...er... male ego and then demonstrates with some voracious lip-locking.

Downstairs, Nanda is futilely trying to reason with her ditzy dad that he should not pay a dime without first being certain Obregon actually has Lili. (Gonzo is definitely my numero uno poster-boy for euthanasia at this point. Makes ya wonder if Fer really is the milkman’s daughter, doesn’t it?)

Meanwhile, at Las Animas, Gardenia is complaining to Jacinto about the way Martina carelessly let Lili get away. Cinto tells her they don’t have a dog in that fight. It’s Eddie’s problem, but because Lili is so sick in the head, he’s still worried about where the girl will end up and what sort of nasty people she might come across.

Lili is now a bit tuckered from her meandering search for the ephemeral Ciro. She wanders into a woodsy area just off of a narrow side road and then plunks down in a little grassy patch to take a nap.

Denia and Cinto are still arguing over Martina’s supposed ineptitude and Denia’s need to be a nosy gossip when Cad shows up demanding to speak with Estev Norton. Cinto excuses himself saying he needs to take care of Saleroso. (Good way to stick it to Cad, Cinto, mentioning that legendary horse Cad Elizalde would give his dad’s right arm to own.) Denia stands there lost in her own thoughts till Cad screams at her to “Go get Norton!”

Fernanda’s on the phone with Fr/Ed. Barbie overhears Fer making a rendezvous with Fr/Ed and walks away smiling. Santi comes into the house half out of his mind with worry, because Aurora wasn’t anywhere in town either. Fer promises to help him figure something out, but says she needs his help to get out of the house to meet with Franco. She tells Santi to come upstairs to the bedroom and fetch her from the clutches of the ever-more demanding Damian.

Babs finds Gonzo in the library. He tells her he’s going to see his lawyer for advice about the problem with Lili. Both the lawyer and Fernanda, he says, are insisting that they don’t get in a hurry to pay the ransom before they are absolutely certain that Obregon has Lili.

Back at Las Animas, Denia shows Cad into the study and warns him not to go nosing around this time. Cad yells at her to watch her mouth and go get him some coffee. She screams back at him if he wants coffee so bad he can go into the kitchen and make it himself, and then leaves him with his mouth catching flies.

Errorika comes knocking at Fr/Eduardo’s front door looking for him. Denia says he’s gone off to meet Fernanda, thinking she’s telling Errika some juicy big lie. Err’s female antennae go up and she leaves. She gets hold of Ed on his cell and says she’s dying to see him and wants to make lunch plans. He begs off saying he’s got a meeting and doesn’t know how long it will last, but there’s no way he’ll be able to see her. Err hangs up with an “I understand” that means she probably is really beginning to.....

Santi stands by as Nanda tries to explain she’s got a life and Tomasa’s there to handle things while she goes on her errand. Damn throws a temper tantrum when she suggests they hire a nurse to help him. “I don’t want a nurse! I need you, Fernanda. YOU!” She gives him a strained “Yes, dear. Just call me if you need me” when her cell rings again. Fer breathes a sigh of relief when it turns out to be Err and she answers. Damian’s frown by now is so deep it touches the floorboards. Errika says she’s in the area and wants to stop by to visit her and the hubby. Nanda says she’s in the middle of something and has to head out with Santiago for a bit. Err ever so innocently questions why she’s not intending to stick like glue to tend to her husband. Fernanda dodges, hangs up, and races out the door with her brother. Exasperated at once again being outsmarted, the invalided Damian entertains us with a temperamental pillow toss at the wall. (Viewerville pauses for a guilty snicker as he accidentally hits his sore leg and howls in pain.)

Over at Las Animas, Estev comes into the study to greet Cadmilo. Cad is there to supposedly invite Estev to one of his riding competitions. Estev accepts the invite. Cad says, by the way, how about Loafly coming. She’s invited too. Estev says sorry, but Loafly won’t be able to join them. She’s dead. Cad knits his caveman brow and waits for him to explain.

In the SUV on the way to Lili’s, Fer quickly tries to fill in Santi on Lili’s current situation and all that Franco Santoro has done for their sister. “Franco knows more about the Elizalde family than perhaps even you or I do.” “—What’s that’s supposed to mean?” “--There are things all around us that we have been made to believe since we were kids that really are not true. Things about Liliana.” In the middle of this discussion they drive right past Lili who, coincidentally, just happens to be napping at the bottom of the hill in that area of the nearby woods. Santi asks for a better explanation about the extortion and how Obregon is supposed to have kidnapped her then. Fer says that’s what she and Franco were trying to find out because supposedly nobody knows where he is, and curiously enough, the only one who seems to get calls from him is Babs. “I don’t know how Franco managed to find out, but the doctor was paid by Barbara to keep Lily drugged the entire time.”

Santi is outraged and wonders how Barbara could have done such a vile thing to their sister! “I don’t know but Lili always rebelled against Barbara and perhaps she wanted to get her out of the way.” Fer explains how they decided to first to get Lili out of the clinic and how Franco took care of making sure Lili had a house and proper care so that in a few months she would be fully recovered. “That’s why for now we have to keep this absolutely quiet. Only Adolfina and the aid taking care of her know besides us. Nobody else from the family but you or I knows anything about this. Eventually the rest of the Elizalde’s will find out, but for now the most important thing is keeping Lili out of danger. All right?” Santi promises to keep mum.

At Las Animas, meanwhile, Estev tells Cad that as far as he’s concerned it was a serious and very painful thing to have Loafly spend the night out of the house without his permission and she knew that it would be. Cad asks if she told him where she spent the night. “Uncle Estev” says that isn’t important, but what is important is that she lost what a woman should protect most of all and that’s her respectability. [decoro = respectability/honor] Cad argues that he can’t be sure of that. “She could have stayed the night with decent people.” Estev says no, because anybody who convinces an innocent girl like that to stay the night away from home is not trustworthy [de fiar = reliable, trustworthy].

Cad asks what seems to be the pertinent question here. “Well, how old is she? “Uncle Estev” continues the lecture. “It doesn’t have anything to do with age; the girl was raised the old-fashioned way [pasado de moda], based on the high principals of morality and decency (obviously, concepts totally foreign to the likes of Cadmilo from the confused look on his mug). “But, Mr. Norton, is what Loafly did really so serious?” “-Yes! She committed the only dishonorable act that I am not willing to forgive, neither her nor the man who led her down the garden path.” [embaucar] Camilo sucks it in and tries to grasp the immensity of the pile of horse pucky he just stepped into. “I appreciate your concern, Camilo, but Loafly has turned her back on everything her parents and I taught her.” Cad suggests there must be some way for her to return to the man she considers a father to her. Estev reels him in. He has Cad right where he wants him. (Viewerville holds its breath and waits for the next shoe to drop.) “Yes, I’m like a father to her and for that very reason, her honor, the honor of that young girl who is like a daughter to me, I ask you, ‘Who? Who will vouch for her [honor] now? Who?’” (A definite 10-ding-ding-dinger there Estev.)

Santi and Fer arrive at Lili’s place. Fer tells him she brought Santi in on it and hopes Fr/Ed doesn’t mind. Santi explains how Fer explained the situation on the way over [en el trayecto] and thanks him for everything he’s done. Fer tells him about the latest call to Barbara from Obregon and his instructions, according to her father, to have the ransom ready and all. Obviously, Obregon again supposedly refused to give them any proof of life. Martina walks in at that point and Ed gives Fer the bad news. “Lili walked out of the house and nobody knows where she is now.”

At the same time, Gonzo’s attorney is telling him not to pay that ransom for Lili, as harsh and inhumane as it may seem, without irrefutable proof the girl is still alive. Bottom line, even if Gonzo does pay it, and Obregon really does have her they can’t guarantee she’d be alive afterwards anyway.

Ah-wah-wah! finds her way back to Rosy the Witch’s cozy abode and bangs on the door, begging to be let in to speak with her. Rosy doesn’t want any part of this and refuses.

Back at Lili’s, Martina apologizes to Fer for being so careless with Lili and letting her get away. Fer and the others can only hope Lili might still be somewhere nearby, since they know they can’t go to the police and start a search. Santi thinks she might be headed back to the clinic since that’s the only other place she knows as home. Franco agrees Lili would probably consider it the safest place to go. The three of them grab their things and head off for the clinic. Martina stays and prays for the diosito to have Lili turn up soon.

We rubberneck back to Fernanda’s bedroom. Dam whines to BB how Nanda abandoned him to run out looking for Aurora. Barbie considers the close sibling relationship Fernanda and Santi share. Dam asks if BB had something to do with Rory’s sudden disappearance. She plays dumb. He says he knows better, but she insists she’s too busy making him the sympathetic victim here to waste her time on Santiago’s little girlfriend. Dam grouses that he’s no simple, sympathetic victim. He’s an invalid tied down to a bed for gawd knows how long and without the ability to do a single solitary thing. BB suggests he look on the bright side. “There’s a lot you can do: for example, you can start to make life more difficult for Fernanda.” “—The only difficulty in her life is me!” Barb disagrees and suggests in his condition it would be very easy to trip her up. Knowing her, he’s afraid to consider what that might mean. She asks if the idea of Fer and him giving Gonzo a little grandchild doesn’t cheer him up a bit.

Ah-wah-wah! has told Rosy why she got thrown out of the hacienda and begs Rosy to intercede between her and Babs. Rosy supposedly is the only one who could explain how it was all a mistake. (Gawd only knows why or how.) Rosy says she doesn’t believe Rory’s side of it one whit and instead scolds her for sleeping with her boyfriend’s brother and shuts the door in her face.

BB suggests that tying up Fer with a kid would be the best way to get back at her for her adultery. She figures Dam would be a real oaf not to take advantage of the opportunity. Dam wonders how he’s supposed to do that stuck there in bed. “What am I supposed to do? Scream? Cry? Demand? Try killing myself??!!” “--Nothing like that! Simply take advantage of her feeling guilty for having cheated on you. I’m sure she won’t be able to refuse you.” He wonders how she figures that. BB says a woman as virtuous as Fer couldn’t possibly cheat on her husband without having some regrets. She is sure that Fer, after every time she returns home from having been with her lover, will be unable to deny Damian anything once she sees him lying helplessly in her bed. (Naw. My guess is Nanda would be the one to start using the guest-room then.) Dam considers the possibilities that abound while Barbara takes an unexpected call from Rosenda.

Rosy has news for Barbara but she can’t talk to the old woman just then. Barbie says she’ll come by and talk to her as soon as she’s finished and then hangs up. She tells Dam she’s got to go and it is just as well since he needs to save all his “energy” for the task at hand with his adored little wife. He grouses about how crazy she is. Barb disagrees. “Not that much considering how I always turn out to be right about things.” She blows him a kiss and leaves him to his pain pills.

At the same time Barbie is getting ready to leave, a taxi pulls up in the drive and who should get out with a beautiful funeral wreath (in the shape of a cross) but Dr. Oh! As he walks toward the front door Obregon thinks to himself, “You dead hyena! What great pleasure to come and give you a last good-bye!” Unfortunately, Barbie comes out the front door at that very second. Ruh-Roh! Obregon tries hiding behind that cross full of flowers as if he’s warding off a vamp. Barbie grabs the nearest pillar to steady herself. Each of them is scared-sh!tless impactado to see the other standing there, big as life and in the flesh.

Labels: manana

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