Caray, Caray!

Survey says….Vanilla is the most popular flavor ice-cream in the world, white bread is the most popular bread in America. In an effort to please the masses, this episode will be scrubbed squeaky clean of any possible subversive comments. Let the youngins join in the fun, they probably need a break from studying for that Spelling Bee, Old Testament Prophets…Those spellings confuse me to this day. Actually I never got to be HomeSchooled. My parents were no happier to pay taxes than any other American, but Public School, YowZa to them that was a bargain the big yellow bus picked us up each day and returned us each night, for free and until the age of eighteen. At last taxes they actually benefited from. So Parents whip up a big batch of Jiffy pop and settle down for some fine family viewing of our neighbors south of the border. You will get to experience Sunny Mexico, much the same way Americans do who take those wonderful trips to Cabo and come back remarking how wonderful it is that all the Mexicans speak English and are so happy and how you can get such great bargains at the those malls the tour buses take you to. It’s just like San Antonio only everyone speaks English and the drinks are better.

We begin with Juan crying.
Juan tells Pablito that they will be a family one big family.
Sofie discovers the empty cribs and she starts yelling at the Nun. She questions the Nun repeatedly about the whereabouts of the three cuter than button orphans. Finally the Nun breaks her twenty year long vow of silence and tells Sofie that the buttons where adopted by a young couple. What young couple? Who knows?

Well fool me once…Looks like the young couple adopting the little rays of sunshine are Yeh Yeh..Oscar and Jimena. Gosh Darn, I was like two seconds away from passing out. I had been holding my breath during this tense segment. PSA…Smokers I’m sure you came to sometime after the papers were signed and the happy parents, (Jimena & Oscar) were carrying the kidlets as well as the beloved parish priest who was carting the spare.

Meanwhile Fer is hanging around the outside of the orphanage, he is trying to help childless young couples fulfill their hearts desire by directing them to the one-stop shop for human trafficking. The young couple that was intended to be the loving parents of the button triplets, walk past Fer. They are carrying a young boy. Fernando is upset as he carefully screened the couple and by the information gleaned they were perfect candidates to adopt three girls.

Oscar & Ximena adopt the daughters.
Fernando sees the intended parents and they have a boy.
Padre Tad who witnessed the Oscar/Jimena adoption; sends the couple and the newly adopted little boy on their way. He tells Fernando that suspects Fernando was up to no good. Fernando says the priest always thinks the worst of him.

Sofie runs and tells Juan that someone else has adopted the beloved daughters.

Oscar & Ximena take the daughters home. Gabi can’t believe they adopted the children after all they are divorced. No they are not they respond as it is do-overs if you sign divorce papers while in a coma.

The adoption lady runs into Quitana and tells Quitana that Oscar & Jimena adopted the kids. Quitana says that is impossible they are divorced and live in two separate homes.

Juan and Sofie come in and see the kids. It is a very happy scene of good clean family unity.

Later Adoption lady comes by and tells Ximena that they have to give the kids back as they lied about their marital status. Sofie begs and cries that the one baby is hers, but alas they have fallen love with all the babies. Ximena says fine, that Oscar will move into the Hacienda. Gabi says no way. Adoption lady agrees to allow one week for the families to straighten this out. Wow, I would have thought maybe they would have all moved to the Reyes Ranch. Ooooopppss sorry there I go questioning the TelVista Authority. Forget what I said, it was crazy talk..questioning authority? As if, I mean that is why they are the Authority Right? I mean they know best and they will guide us though this tale.


Fernando comes in and Gabi is rather cold with him. Basically he is worthless and good for nothing. The look on poor Fer face is heartbreaking, no matter how many moral transgressions he commits it is never enough for Gabi. Without the support of a caring spouse a man can only commit so many crimes, before he just gives up and turns to a life of obeying the law. Gabi will have no one to blame, but herself when this happens.

Meanwhile the well meaning Padre and the scrappy abuelo (hey kids that means grandfather in Spanish) discuss the near miss of strangers adopting the three orphans. Hmmmm the wise elder concludes, it must have to do with money.

Oscar and Frankie as Juan why Juan and Sofie broke up.
Juan does not want to tell. The would endanger the idealistic relationships the others are engaged in.

Oddly enough Sofie is having the exact same conversation with her sisters.

Juan finally tells the brothers that the infamous Ber is the true killer of Ma & Pa Reyes. No Puede Ser.
The brothers are crushed. Just when their relationships where going so well with the girls. Oh Capulets and Montagues. A curse on both your haciendas. *This translates to Oh Hatfields and McCoys a curse on both your shacks.

Sofie gets out the belt and shows her sisters. Oh the horrors, how can it be. Pa was the best Pa in the world. In fact many young girls referred to him as Daddy. Ximena and Sarita are crushed as they see the ship of happy dreams sail off the edge of the earth with the sisters still standing alone on the pier.

The adorable Grandfather has built a mock-up of the hacienda and with his trusty magnifying glass he looks from one room to another. Questioning what was in it for Gabi & Fer, think, think, think he thinks.
Finally Eureka, the land…Scarlett the land.

The brothers Reyes descend on the Gabi house to confront her over the murder of their much missed, much loved parents. The brothers are dressed in traditional Mexican costumes. Oscar and Frankie as handsome Charros, while Juan sports more of a beach cabana boy look, sometime spotted in the famous bath houses. Adding even more thrilling cultural charm to our tale. Gabi tells a tale as old as the earth itself or roughly about 4500 years, love, betrayal, jealousy, snakes, murder. JJ Robles-Reyes, was enamoured with the fiesty young vixen Gabi. Ber found out and was crazed by the thought. She describes the murder scene, saying Poor What’sHerName Ma Reyes was shot a la drive-by, wrong place, wrong time. Juan replays the beta-tape in his head. Gabi has been mournful tears in her eyes. The boys leave and Gabi’s face turns from horror to a shudder and then a happy face. I guess she must have had a happy thought of unicorns right there at the end. Thoughts of magical single horned creatures are often known to cause a woman to shudder.

Gramps visits Ber’s Lawyer. Our neighbors to the South do not have the same legal system that we have. I guess it is okay for lawyers to discuss wills with anyone who stops by. The lawyer tells Gramps that Ber left everything to Sofie, if she divorced Fer and then bore a child by someone else. The lawyer seems surprised that this is not common knowledge as Fer & Gabi were quite aware of the conditions.

Fer goes to see Gabi’s lawyer. Gabi’s lawyer tells Fer that he has been disinherited. Fer is no longer in Gabi’s will. See Fer no good deed goes unpunished.

Fer later talks to some gentlemen who used to do odd jobs for him. I believe he just paid them a huge sum of money to disappear the other day, but it seems they are back and he has another job for them. Yes, Mexican men are crazy romantics and I just bet Fer, realizing how much he loves Gabi will try to win her love again. What could it be? Candy, flowers, maybe a pony?

Now to the Reyes Hacienda. Just like the Brady house, the three brothers share a room. This is very common in Mexico. People live in huge Haciendas, but the Latin Blood is blood of the Family and much warmer than ours. Grown men often sleep in the same room with their brothers, well into their twilight years. In fact 72% of adult males do not actually sleep in the same room with their wives, but continue to room with their brothers. In rural parts of Mexico, this is partially due to a myth dating to Aztec times that women will steal a man’s Mojo during the night and sell it to a demon for earthly goods, in times past it was for gold and precious stones and peyote, now it is for a dishwasher and satellite dish, oh and still peyote.

Juan is dreaming…he dreams of the death of his parents. In his dream he sees the belt buckle, he hears the rough language of the assassins. He sees the face of his poor mother silently begging him to remain quiet.
Suddenly the face of the shooter becomes the face of Ber, mocking him.
Juan screams out in his sleep. Oscar and Frankie leap from their beds and jump on Juan.

This behavior in America would seem odd, but lest we forget this is a different culture and it is in no way threatening for an adult sleeping male to be leapt upon by two other men dressed only small briefs. It is a common occurrence. Juan is sleep addled and fears he is being attacked by Ber. When he is finally roused from sleep. He tells Oscar and Frankie that he saw the scene of the murder and indeed it was Ber who killed their parents.

Wow…mystery solved.

Next day…Gabi is going to town with the ranch lackey, he forgot to give her a telegram. Gabi reads it and she is very distressed. Ricardo Uribe has taken a turn for the better.

She gets out of the SUV and is standing in the street. We see a pickup truck with the men Fer gave the job to the evening before. They rev the engine and aim straight for Gabi. Her eyes open to an enormous size.

I believe these low day labours that Fer hired in good conscious probably spent the night drinking and playing cards. They probably forgot all about the 1-800-flowers and in a rush to do their jobs have now endangered the chance of Fer and Gabi making up.

Labels: Fuego

Alt titles:
Why wait for a grave when you can dance on the corpse?
OH MY GOD! They killed Fafy! You bastards!!
Everyone Gropes Ernesto (except Lorena)

What do you mean, you've never heard of Fafy Cuenca? Let me tell you about my good friend Fafy Cuenca. He was the king of the jet set... the world-famous playboy. He once climbed Mt. Everest with nothing but a sweater and a pair of nail clippers. He invented sliced bread.

Ever have chocolate and peanut butter mixed together? That was Fafy Cuenca's idea. Donald Trump lost most of his hair in a bet with Fafy Cuenca - that's why he combs his hair over now. Fafy Cuenca taught Captain Kirk how to beat the Kobayashi Maru. He blew up the Death Star with a well-aimed spitball. He gave martial arts advice to Chuck Norris.

Fafy Cuenca will be missed.

Sara wakes and tells Fafy she has an idea about how they can use the bodyguards. Fafy stubbornly keeps his eyes shut. His hands are folded neatly over his chest, and there's a faint smirk on his face. She reaches for his face and recoils. "He's dead! But I didn't do anything, he died all by himself!"

She calls Bruno with the news. She's still freaked out that she spent the night with a corpse. (Complain, complain.) Bruno's happy that they lucked out. She agrees, and tells him to get ready to put on a show.

She runs into the hallway, shrieking for Bruno. "Something happened to Fafy!" Bruno and two guards show up. Bruno briefly examines the patient. Yep, he's been dead for a few hours! Sara swoons dramatically (comically), then goes into hysterics, to be soothed in Bruno's arms. Bruno glances nervously at Fafy, who is still smirking with his eyes shut. But we just know it's a trick; he'll open those eyes any minute now and laugh in all their stupid faces.

Lorena fills Julian in on last night's meeting with the lawyer. Fafy had told Ern he wanted to entrap Sara, but she didn't know what he had in mind. Meanwhile, they'll keep looking for evidence. Julian's willing to try to get some help from Toño, the forger, but he doesn't want to do it in a sneaky way because the guy was nice to him. Lorena wonders if he might have kept any records, or maybe even original documents. Julian doubts that he would have kept any incriminating evidence; Lorena agrees and dismisses the idea. (Not so fast, kids! Toño took a lot of pride in the work that he did; I wouldn't be at all surprised if he kept a portfolio.) Still, he thinks maybe something could come of it.

Diana weeps to her baby about what a shame it is that he can't get to know his father. She doesn't know how she ever could have loved him! And she can never forgive herself for rejecting Vasco. He would have been a great dad. But she'll have to resign herself...

"Why are you so sure?" asks Hortensia, walking in. She says their separation was her fault, not Diana's, and she thinks Vasco's still in love with her. Diana thinks he seems pretty happy with Paty. "Because that dingbat (atolondrada) is saying how much they love each other at the top of her lungs (a voz en cuello), but I know Vasco," Hortensia says. But he's probably afraid to hear her say no again. Would she reject him again? Diana says of course not! Snorty says that the next time he comes by, she'd better grab him and not let him go. Snorty knows what he'll say! (Meanwhile, poor little Saulito is coughing his head off!)

Meanwhile, Sara is crawling all over her dead sweetie and crying "you can't leave me alone, I love you." Her theatrics are so over-the-top that Bruno threatens to give her a shot. "How can I calm down when my reason for living is dead?" The bodyguards ask if there's anyone they should call. Bruno says no, he didn't have any family; they'd just like some privacy. He sends them out. "No, I love you Fafy! Why did you leave?!" Sara hollers for good measure.

Alone at last, just the two of them and the dead guy, Bruno wants to know how long the mourning period is, because he's ready to party now. She says the party can begin when they read his will. "Now I believe in God!" she laughs.

Downstairs, one of the bodyguards says they should find out what really happened. The other is doubtful - if she killed him, then what would she do to them? The first guy says they need to stay there and find out who's going to pay them.

Sara's in a hurry for Bruno to sign the death certificate so they can get this "lump" (bulto) out of here. He teases her, "he's not even finished cooling off yet and you want to get rid of him?" He can sign the certificate, but a judge still has to validate it. He asks if they shouldn't notify someone, to make their little play look more convincing. The only person she can think of is that nosy Santiago, and she'd rather not tell him until Fafy's nothing but ashes. Bruno says they still have to keep up the act. They should shut down the company for a couple of days in mourning.

Sara loves this idea. She calls Ernesto and tells him her Fafy died in his sleep. "What a shame," is all Ernesto can say, stunned. He invites himself to the house. "No, that's not necessary," Sara says, rolling her eyes desperately at Bruno, but Ern wants to be supportive.

After the call, Sara and Bruno stifle giggles. Does Fafy wake up and grab them by their necks and choke the life out of them? Sadly, no.

Julian goes to see Toño, but a bystander says he left. Sometimes he disappears for many days at a time.

Zulema and Lorena go to the clinic for Z's checkup. Alonso invites Lorena out to eat after the checkup. Of course he doesn't notice the disappointed look on Valeria's face. Valeria offers to see Zulema home afterwards. Lorena suggests that 'Slow do the checkup first, and then they can talk about lunch.

Santiago enters his one-room apartment with a styrofoam coffee cup and a paper bag. He sits down at a tiny little table to tuck into whatever luxurious meal might be in that bag. We'll never know, because he can't stop looking at his phone. He decides to listen to his message.

Hopefully it's not that you don't want to answer me,

says the voice of a dead man. "How well you know me, Fafy Cuenca," Santiago sighs.

Maybe I made too much of a fuss about the golf clubs...

"Obviously!"

...but today more than ever I've realized that if anyone's ever really liked me, it's you, my great friend.

"Wha? I wasn't expecting to hear that."

You are the only person in whom I can trust. I need to tell you something right away.

(Obviously, Fafy went to the Lorena School of Communication.)

Santi dashes to the door. He doesn't even take his coffee with him.

Zulema's checkup is fine. She can't wait to make a big dinner for her whole family. Alonso says that when people talk about their desires, it's usually travel or some fun thing. She says her great dream is to see her family together and happy around the table, enjoying the food she's made for them.

She asks if she's going to get fat again. He says if she doesn't control her diet, she will, but if she eats a balanced diet, she can be thin forever. She resolves to be careful.

Ernesto arrives at the Big House of Horrors. The smarter bodyguard tells him that the old man went to sleep with his wife and woke up dead. They didn't see anything; they couldn't be in the room. (The dumber bodyguard asks Ernesto who's going to pay them.) Ern reminds the smarter one to be discreet and not let on that they've already met.

Sara comes downstairs clutching a hanky. Of course, she is clad in a black suit, which she probably bought the very morning after she slept with Fafy for the first time. Ern acts very sympathetic and says gee, who would have thought... Fafy seemed so healthy! "This is the most awful thing that could have happened to me," Sara sobs. She throws herself into his arms, just in time for Santiago to walk in and see.

Vasco comes to the Casserole Cooperative to wait for Paty, who is out shopping with Felipe. He asks Diana, who is alone, if she minds if he waits there. He asks about the meeting with Joel. She tells him about the video - not only do they have a confession from Sara, but Bruno was her accomplice. And they're also the ones who poisoned all the guests at Snorty's last gig.

Diana says Bruno was the greatest mistake of her life, and letting him take her away from Vasco. She never should have done that; she was a fool.

"Why, Diana? I begged you, I waited for you. I love your child as if he were my own; I saw him grow in your belly, I wanted to be his father." Diana says the only consolation left is that maybe her child will be like him, a sincere and honest man.

He is about to kiss her when Paty and Felipe come in. Felipe scowls, but Paty doesn't seem to realize what she's walked in on. Di and Vasco look awkward and guilty.

Santi doesn't take the news of Fafy's death well. (Indeed, I'm still thinking that this is a trick, and that Fafy is being revived right now.) He plays back the phone message for Sara, Ernesto, and the bodyguards to hear. He feels that it is irrefutable (fehaciente) evidence that Fafy felt endangered. His friend didn't die of natural causes - they killed him! He says he's accusing all of them. They're all under suspicion until they prove otherwise! He says all these security people are proof that Fafy couldn't trust anyone but him.

Ernesto tells Santi he's taking things too far. Sara protests being accused amidst all her pain. Santi vows not to let this crime go unpunished. He runs up the stairs calling Fafy's name. "Poor Santiago, he truly was his friend," Sara sniffs.

Ern says the phone message really is very odd. Sara says the only strange thing she noticed yesterday was the security, but Fafy was so eccentric, he said he was trying them out on a friend's recommendation. As for the message, maybe he sensed that he was going to die and called Santi to say goodbye.

"We're alone now - you don't have to pretend. Please get up," Santi coaxes his friend. (Only now does my hope begin to fade, but only a little.) He begs Fafy Cuenca to just be joking. He can't be dead - it's ludicrous! He's immortal! "Don't abandon me! Say you've gone on one of your trips... you have to come back, like always..."

Now Felipe and Diana are alone. He is not and never was Diana's boyfriend to begin with, but he's still mad about the kiss he knows he interrupted. He says he's not as dumb as Paty - he's tired of her not paying attention to him (no me peles = you don't peel me = you don't pay attention to me) and dying over some guy who's aiming at two targets (blancos).

Diana says if there's anyone in this world who has integrity, it's Vasco. She's not going to listen to Felipe - she's got things to do and he can leave. He insists that he loves her. "Nice way of showing it," she replies.

Outside, Paty is thanking Vasco for visiting her, and says it brightened her day to find him waiting for her. Finally she notices that he's quiet. He says he's been thinking about their relationship... "Me too!" Paty interrupts. "You don't know how many dreams I have and plans I've made for the two of us. I've been imagining waking at your side for the rest of my life!"

Maruja finds Rosy crying over a particularly stinky onion. Also, she really misses Julian. Maru says she was the one who wanted to be apart. Rosy still doesn't want to lose her willpower. She wants a man, not a child. Maruja says she's heard that from Rosy's mouth, but her heart is saying something else. Rosy says sometimes the heart is wrong. She wants her child to be proud of its father and she doesn't want to go through what Diana did.

Maruja doesn't think there's any comparison. Julian may act like a kid, but he's a good person. Rosy insists she wants him to be mature.

Santiago is still begging at Fafy's bedside. He's sick with guilt for not having taken that call. If only he had answered, if he'd come over yesterday, maybe Fafy would still be alive. He promises again that this death will not go unpunished. He knows Fafy felt threatened and that he wanted to tell him that those desgraciados wanted to kill him.

Fafy still doesn't open his eyes. Really, I find this whole thing very cruel. I wish he would put an end to this sick charade right now. Tell us you're okay! Please???

Sara, Bruno, and Ernesto come in. Santi asks which of them did it. Bruno says Fafy had a sudden heart attack. "'Natural causes,' my longjohns (polainas). I don't believe you - you killed Fafy Cuenca." Sara threatens to throw him out. He calls her a slut and says he won't be ordered around by her. He wonders whether Bruno or Ern or both helped her. He doesn't care about Bruno's stupid death certificate, either. He wants an autopsy.

Sara says she's been patient so far, but this is going too far. Santi is adamant. Ernesto tries to mediate, saying why not have the autopsy to settle any doubts. "Because NO!" is Sara's convincing reply. "I'm not going to let you destroy Fafy's body just to please a crazy little old man!" He says that if they don't do it, he'll accuse them of murder. Sara says he'll have to eat those words (literally, face up to that profanity), "because there is a God!" (second time she's said that today). And if the autopsy says it was a natural death, he can't attend Fafy's funeral.

She and Bruno leave to arrange the autopsy. Bruno is wondering who they can bribe for a negative autopsy. Sara insists she didn't do anything. Bruno asks, then why did she oppose the autopsy? She just didn't want Santi to have his way. She didn't kill Fafy - that was just lucky.

Santi stands guard over his friend. He's hostile to Ernesto, but Ernesto starts to tell him what he knows.

Sara pays the bodyguards generously and they leave. (Now the smart bodyguard has his answer... Sara knows she's not in danger, even though Fafy was afraid for his life. I bet he knows what that means.)

Bruno has arranged for the autopsy. Sara looks forward to never seeing Santiago's ugly face again. Bruno looks forward to flinging Fafy's ashes with a big spoon.

Apparently, Ernesto has told Santi everything. Santi is angrier than ever. He asks Ern to promise that they won't stop until Sara and Bruno pay. Ern says they've got a lot against them, because Fafy's not this woman's only victim. "But in time you'll know the whole story." Santi feels that he's heard enough already. Ern reminds him to keep all of this under his hat, for Fafy. "For the legend, Fafy Cuenca!" Santi sobs, and cries on Ernesto's shoulder.

Rosy goes shopping with Diana at the baby stuff store to cheer Diana up. When Rosy starts showing enthusiasm for different things, Diana teases her, "but what if you don't have any children?" Ha, ha, she knows all about the baby. Oh, what a bunch of jokers. Diana admits that Julian is the only person who doesn't know yet. They all respect her opinion, but she's depriving him of the right to his dreams. Rosy says she wishes it wasn't so hard, but she's started and now she's going to see it through. Meanwhile, she would like Diana's help in buying everything in the store.

Zulema and Lorena discuss mole poblano and other dishes for their big celebratory dinner. They wonder if Julian and Rosy will be back together in time to enjoy it together. Julian lurks outside the door and overhears that someone's having a baby. He bursts in and wants to hear all about Lorena's baby. Lorena wheezes with laughter. Nope, it's not Diana either. Zulema and Lorena just stare awkwardly. He figures it out. "I'm going to be a daddy! I'm going to be a daddy!"

At the babystuff store, Diana says it still hurts her to see Vasco with Paty. Rosy says she likes Paty, but that doesn't mean she doesn't like Diana too. Aw, big hug. Rosy buys another pair of baby shoes during the hug.

Sara is complaining that they're at the morgue thanks to Santiago, instead of at a funeral home. She's alone in the world. Ern says, surely Fafy left you something. "Oh, no, with Fafy it was living from day to day. We never spoke of the future, much less a future without him." She cries on his shoulder.

(Ahem, I know Ern is irresistible, but the death of a loved one is no excuse for copping a cheap feel.)

Bruno sees them. They'll find out the autopsy results first thing tomorrow. Santi says he won't leave until he has the report in his hands.

Ernesto borrows Ivan's cell phone to call Lorena. (No idea why he didn't do this sooner.) Lorena is at home with Zulema and Snorty, who are debating whether or not Rosy will let up on Julian. Ernesto tells her about Fafy's death. Everything points to Sara and Bruno killing him and trying to make it look like a natural death, but his friend ordered an autopsy. He's pretending to be supportive while they carry on with their little game. He and Lorena still have to meet at the set tomorrow, but they'll keep faking...

Lorena tells her mother and grandmother; Z is worried that Sara might hurt Ernesto, while Snorty thinks Sara will be satisfied and leave them alone now that she's got some money. Lorena doesn't want to leave Sara alone, though.

Diana is visiting with Barbara when Vasco comes home. Barbara insists that Diana stay for dinner. She won't take no for an answer, and assures Diana that she brought the dinner home from work. Don't worry, she didn't cook it herself! Ha, ha! She goes to heat it up, leaving Diana alone with Vasco again.

Diana asks how things are going with Paty and says the almost-kiss was not proper. "You're right, I'd better not lie..." and before he can finish, there's a big crash in the kitchen. Barb has dropped their dinner. (Sounds like the chicken was made out of metal and glass.)

Omar calls the lesser house just to remind us that he's still alive. He tells Lorena to take care. That's the whole phone call.

Julian is sitting outside Maruja's place, waiting, when Rosy comes home in a taxicab full of baby stuff. She tries to make up an excuse, but he tells her he knows about the baby. And he's the happiest man on earth.

Paula answers the door to find a very dejected Greta on her doorstep. Greta needs a friend; Paula firmly says they're finished. "You reap what you sow." She chews her out for being a homewrecker. Greta says she did it for love, and love justifies everything! Paula reminds her that she wasn't in love yet when she went after a married man. Greta continues to whine and beg, but Paula says she can't be friends with someone like her.

Rosy tells Julian she was going to tell him about the baby when he could show that he's a man that her child needs as a father. J says he's never going to be perfect, but he's responsible, will toil from dan till dusk until he can come up with a down payment on an apartment so they can live together with their baby. All this time, the only two things that have been on his mind have been his job, and her name. And her eyes, and her hands, and her legs... she says now her baby too.

He offers to leave. She says no, he can stick around - to help her carry her things into the house. After which he can leave. Ha, ha! A joke! Of course he can stay.

Back at The Place Formerly Known As Snorty Acres (I can't remember what we actually called it) Bruno is ready for a drink in Fafy's honor, and the rewards of patience. He asks Sara if she knows how much money she'll inherit. Sara's getting dizzy just thinking of all those zeros... hmmm... maybe that's all she's going to end up with. She saw her name on that will with her own eyes... the eyes that hypnotize Bruno... he says her mourning clothes must be very uncomfortable - he'll help her out of them!

More doorbells at Paula's house. It's Valeria and Maruja. She tells them about Greta's visit, showing neither dignity nor shame. And she hasn't forgotten that little trick Greta pulled on her with Raymundo, either. She reports that things are going well with him. Paula and Maruja want to know why Valeria doesn't have a love life yet. Val says, who would want a woman with two kids? They pooh-pooh her concerns and think surely there must be some nice doctor at the hospital. Val doesn't want to talk about any of this; she's ready to uncork the bottle and forget about her problems. "Your only problem is your ex, and I don't think he's coming back." Valeria finally cracks a smile.

Ickturo and his mom are back. She's thrilled that all of their stuff is still there in the house. Ickturo isn't nearly as cheerful. Apparently, all the money he stole from Sara is gone, blown away on some camel-related investment, and he has to start from scratch again. Mama's sure he'll bounce back. He's not so sure he can do much with the 300 dollars he has left.

Mama reminds him that he still has the hats (as if he could forget - they're surrounded by the boxes). This cheers him up, until he discovers that they've been eaten by moths.

Jaime and Maruja seem to be preparing for una noche de amor when Julian and Rosy arrive. "It's not what you think," Maruja claims. Rosy says they're together again.

Next morning, Alonso dashes off to work in a hurry without breakfast. Toribio tries to point out the irony of a doctor who tells his patients to eat right and get lots of sleep, yet he skips breakfast, etc. Tori opens his newspaper and is surprised by a big photo of his former classmate, and a big headline: "Famous Fafy Cuenca Dies." He shows it to Alonso. Alonso gapes.

The autopsy results are ready. The medical examiner offers them to Sara and Bruno, but Santiago snatches them away. "Me first!" He doesn't look happy.

Rosy barges into the lesser house and demands to know who blabbed about the baby to Julian. Ha ha, she's kidding! They're happy! Yaaaay! Hortensia's happy too. She demands that Julian call her "Grandma" (or even "great-grandma") rather than "Miss Hortensia."

Lorena goes to the studio and finds a gift basket, which she assumes is for her. However, the card says "Thanks for the wonderful night you gave me, Ernesto. Camila." Jimena just happens to show up at that moment. "Oh, this isn't Ernesto's dressing room? Oops!" Annoyed, Lorena shows her the gift. Jimena's like, eh, what did I tell you? That woman's still hounding her about Ernesto. She shows Lorena the latest text message she sent: "Did Ernesto tell you about the night we had?"

Lorena, being a sucker and not even considering the kind of night Ernesto probably had after spending the day around a corpse and a couple of would-be murderers, gets so angry she takes the phone out of Jimena's hand and decides to call Ernesto's little chippie and give her a piece of her mind. She is shocked to hear, "How'd it go? Did the plan work? Please tell me that dumb bonde totally turned green!"

Instead, the alleged dumb blonde hangs up and turns purple. "You're going to tell me right now what plan that woman's talking about!" Jimena is speechless (for now).

Santiago finishes reading the autopsy report, which confirms that Fafy's death was of natural causes. He's still not convinced. "I know you two killed him. Desgraciados!" (I hope the fact that he didn't include Ernesto in the blame this time doesn't make them suspicious.)

Labels: enemiga

Yes, I swear, and yes, I criticize, and No, I don’t teach Spanish. Please don’t hate me because I’m sardonic, hate me because I’m beautiful. Now, if you people need a neon disclaimer, go to Las Vegas--I got a show to do!

Ah!!! Pray tell, why does Sofia have Juan’s daddy’s belt? It belonged to her “father.” I’m willing to bet her “father” is Juan’s daddy! Or maybe the same manufacturer of this built mad others. Remember, this is the belt that has followed Juan for as long as he can remember (maybe a day or two) and evokes all of those confusing feelings and remembrances of his childhood. Juan slams the belt down in a selfless act of honor for his family. For the one millionth time this month, Juan and Sofia must separate. I ask; is this because they are siblings, or because Sofia’s daddy killed Juan’s pops? Brace yourself: we’re about to enter the ultra-ubiquitous “I love you-I hate you” circle of deceit and misunderstanding. How could Juan possibly love someone whose father killed his parents? How could Juan’s parents not drown him at birth? How could Sofia, in all of her special-ed. glory, find Juan desirable? Regardless, Sofia makes a pretty good argument for the two to stay together; hey they've made it this far. Stop confusing me! yells Juan in his chair-throwing rage. Your father was a bastard who knocked-up my sister and then left her on the streets! Uh oh, Juan’s alter ego has overpowered the other personalities as he (they) breaks down and starts to cry. Stay the course, Juan, stay the course!

Oh my God. Our local fashionista sisters Jimena and Sarita are picking out the perfect wedding ensembles for our lovely fiancées. This post-disco, neon pink Grandma Suit will perfectly accentuate Sofia’s beautiful neck line and ear lobes. The macho fashionistas are keeping their eyes peeled for honeymoon jump suits, too. They simultaneously choose the same outfits on different racks, OMG! They’re like twins! (I told you that doing inventory in that store would be a nightmare). I think I saw Michael Jackson in something very similar. All the more reason for Juan to show it off.

Poor Sofia, she even unbuttoned the top button on her blouse. I think I saw a tinge of pink on her earring. This is going to be a huge setback for her social development. Poor girl has more deaths to mourn than her closet has black garbs. You know that saying about taking the bump in the road and making it a crater? Well, Juan has pretty much redefined that meaning. So here’s the rundown; he doesn’t really know why he has to hate Sofia, other than the fact that the shit-for-brains producers convinced him that Juan would be smart enough to link a belt to his parents’ slaughter. Sofia somehow gets under the wire on this little development and almost convinces Juan to come away with her, but Juan remembers that when all else fails, stay the course (I will not make any sort of political reference for fear of being hated by hundreds)! The whole thing goes down in flames when Juan beats it into Sofia’s head that their little thing is over. That simply means they’ll be back together tomorrow afternoon.

Juan hates Destiny now, and asks why his damn (I said damn!) memory had to come back. Don’t we all? Anyway, he promises to honor his wholly irrational, impulsive commitment to vengeance. Juan is the classic example of an unstable character whose multiple personalities have gotten the best of him. He’s sure to win a “best actor” for this performance. So Juan relates his entire life history, or what he remembers of it, to the solitary petunia, or whatever we call that bright little flower with it’s own personality.

Sofia goes to her confidant, too. What does it tell you when these people’s only friends are dead people and magical flowers? Interestingly enough, Sofia is convinced that her father did not kill Juan’s parents. It must be true because she looked the granite straight in the eye and repeated “you are not” until she forgot what she was thinking about. As experienced and informed viewers, we can discern that Gabi’s lurking presence is indicative of her killing Juan’s parents. Not a spoiler, I’m just calling it like it is.

Who better for advice than Pad Tad and Gramps—after they’ve both been heavily medicated, of course. Gramps points out that every other hillbilly in town wears a belt like Juan’s. Nope. Juan insists that he could pick this one out of a crowd of a million. Sofia, Juan couldn’t point to his pinky on his own hand. Now, she tells the guys that it’s all over because Juan didn’t want to marry the girl whose father killed his parents. Yes, that would make the wedding reception very uncomfortable. Knowing Sofia, she’s had the seating charts memorized for months. You know how she gets when she exerts her mental capacities for nothing.

Gramps wants the truth and Gabi’s gonna give it to him. How can he be so stupid; when you ask Gabi for the truth, you get the exact opposite story. Usually you learn those things with age, but it must have an opposite effect for elderly, handicapped individuals. (I know: you hate me for saying this.) So Gabi pretends that she’s daddy’s little princess, and pulls the “If you ever want me to be happy, you’ll believe me when I say Bernie killed Juan’s parents.” Sofia, who far surpasses Gramps in stupidity, happens in on this conversation and is torn between faking a stress-induced coma for the attention, or screaming for the effect. Gabi "admits" that she was the lover of Juan’s daddy, and that’s why Bernie knocked ‘em off. One more time, through tears: Bernie killed the Robles-Reyes. Sofia and Juan are half-siblings and their kid is destined to a life just as stupid and pathetic as theirs. He or she will be a true success story if he or she gets a job at WalMart.

You have to admire Fernie’s undying spirit of good will and altruism. Who else would wait for hours on end outside public orphanages for adopting parents? (I hear it's a great place to pick up after-hours nuns.) This lovely couple was just rejected an adoption. Not to worry, Fernie’s got a million other kids stashed away in the caves. Though, you’re gonna have to come to the next town over. Oddly enough, this reminds me of the time I took a leap of faith when I entered that small Panamanian taxi in search for the supposed Zegna store. Nice tie and everything, but I will never fly into foreign countries at 1:00 in the morning again. Back to the story... No, the man dressed all in black with the smoking cigar is not evil. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. God must have sent him, says the gullible, blinded-by-hope lady.

Ah, the wedding march sounds, the brothers present the Michael Jackson suit, and Juan regrettably rejects it. He’s not getting married. But I can’t say I’d be too excited about wearing that to my wedding either; I won’t even mention the bride. It’s starting to scare me how much time Juan spends by himself. Resorting to talking to the banister, staring at bricks; soon he’ll be trying to decipher the cryptic message in the mortar. It happens to the best of us, I mean, them.

Note; I fast forwarded all the memories/flashbacks for your sanity.

Poor Juan has lost it; he can’t bake bread, he can’t dress himself, he can’t knead 10-pound loaves. Actually, strike that, he never could do any of those things. It’s time for an intervention. Counselors Oscar and Franco can barely face the reality of their brother’s situation. Juan doesn’t want to talk about it. They’ve decided that talking to Sofia will be best. Six to one, half a dozen to the other. I'm talking brain cells...

I always knew that putting Sarah Palin on the international circuit would work wonders for Sarita; is it any coincidence that they share the same name? I think not. Now she just needs to tone the look more toward constipated spinster and less toward Madonna Blonde Ambition Tour. Seems that those Michael Jackson suits have swept the town and Sofia has even accessorized one of them with her long, flowing skirt. Hey, at least we have her dressing in white again. Now, if we can get her back in the twentieth century we’ll be fit for What Not to Wear. How tender; the whole family’s here, except no one knows it. So sad that we're the only one's who appreciate the irony. It’s a special moment in which Juan observes the mother of his child with his child. I’m sure it would mean more if mommy and daddy weren’t busy seeking vengeance on one another.

Ok, those people who are adopting through the Fernie Agency of “I’ve seen better days” are morons. Who would go to Sofia’s excuse of a handicraft store looking for clothes for their brand new black-market baby? That wouldn’t happen to be one of the three that came in on Friday’s shipment, would it? asks a concerned, but reserved Sarita. No, they don’t do names or questions at those sorts of places. Oh.

OMG. So many comments so little time. Why why why do three grown men who live in a mansion still sleep in three single iron beds in the same room? Second, why the hell would Jimena be embarrassed to see Franco in his boxers; we all know she’s ridden that AT LEAST a couple of times. And, anyway, what's there to see?

Hahahaha. First, I have no idea why Juan feels the need to knead 10 pounds of dough. Second, I laughed really hard when Pablito asked what was wrong and Juan almost crushed him and mixed him in with the dough. Juan regains a little consciousness and decides that Pablito is his son now and he is always going to take care of him. After all, Juan just wants to form a huge, gigantic family. Now, why would you want to indoctrinate so many innocent children with Juan’s thoughts and behaviors? I think he has a plan to take over the city with his offspring. I don’t even want to think about children with Juan and Sofia DNA.

Sofia has another breakdown when she sees that all the kids are gone. The clueless nun tells her that everyone was adopted. Shouldn’t she be happy that they found homes for all of those abandoned children? Some people are so vindictive and selfish.

In case you care; tomorrow: There was not one damn piece of new information; I kid you not. Damn Univision. A bunch of rotten cheapskates.

Note: This episode would make great material for Maury. These people desperately need a little intervention and a few DNA tests. Title: I've got two daddies; South-of-the-boarder style

Labels: Fuego

Marichuy walks down the corridor to visit Cande and faints. The doctor attending asks if she is married. Yes, but I am getting divorced responds Marichuy. He tells her that she can no longer get divorced because she is pregnant. She is about a month along and that she needs to take care of herself so that the child will be healthy.

Estephania wakes JM to show him her surprise. Mayita is in her room up and about playing with Cuarte. Abuela tells her that Marichuy brought her the dog not Estephania. JM is happy to see Mayita up and about. Estephania claims that she brought the dog for Mayita and that Marichuy testified against him. And dumbass JM believes her.

JM and Eduardo are talking and he tells Eduardo the lie that Estephania told him.

Leti and Viv are in her room and Viv tells her that she found Gustavo with another woman and it was not business related. It was his lover.

Amador comes to bring Marichuy the script. She is doing laudry and Amador says that she does not need to do that. She has a job. She responds by saying that when the money comes in then she will quit doing laudry. Until then her and Cande have to eat.

Patricio is interviewing for a chaueffer. He says that he looks familiar.

Amador blames JM for Marichuy being afraid of men and love. No, not anymore responds Marichuy. JM cured me of that with his hands, his mouth, his gazes and his love. Amador asks if she knows the story of Romeo and Juliet and when she shakes her head he tells her of the tragic love story. Maybe that will happen to me says Marichuy. No responds Amador you are destined for a more beautiful love that no other man can touch. (he refers to acting)

JM and Mayita are in her room and she asks where Onelia is. JM tells her that she is on vacation. Mayita informs JM that Marichuy brought her Cuarte. When he tries to correct her and tell her that Estephania did she insists it was Marichuy.

JM visits Rocio and she wonders when the doctor will take the bandages off. In a couple of days responds JM. Rocio wants to know if she can go home until the next time she has surgery because Vicente is leaving the hospital. Rocio says that Marichuy has not come to see her and asks him if he has seen her. JM says no and I don't want to see her. She testified against me, but Rocio tells him that she said she did not. JM tells Rocio that Marichuy lied to her.

Patricio and Estephania are walking to the front door and Patircio asks if JM and her are getting back together. Estephania says they are and not to protest if they get married. She walks him out the door and the new chauffer is none other then Israel. Estephania is dumbfounded.

Padre Anselmo runs into JM and he asks how the custody case went. JM tells him that it went well and that he gets to keep Mayita but no thanks to Marichuy's help since she testified against him. Padre tells him to forgive her she is an innocent and that he has always told her to tell the truth.

Leti is in bed recalling what Viv told her. Gustavo comes in and wants to know how she is doing. She flat out asks him what is going on.

JM tells Padre that Marichuy testified against him for revenge. When she thought that lying was convient for her it was okay. But now he is much more calmer and to tell her that because of her revenge he is liberated of her.

Marichuy walks in on Cande mopping the floor and she gives her hell. Cande protests but Marichuy is adament that she do nothing. Marichuy promises to bring her a television to occupy some of her time. Cande asks her how she is feeling and Marichuy says much better.

Padre tries to come in Marichuy's defense but JM ain't buying it. JM wants to forget about her and they are finished forever.

Marichuy recalls what the doctor tells her and she vows that she will never give up her child like her mother did to her.

Estephania thanks Patricio for letting her have the chauffer. She tells Israel that he will be taking her to were she wants to go. Estephania directs Israel to park the car and then attacks him by kissing him passionately.

Amador and Marichuy walk out of the a dress shop and into the path of Eduardo.

Estephania wonders outloud why Israel cannot be a millionare since she likes him alot. Israel asks her if that is really important. Yes, for her she responds. She starts talking to herself that she cannot live like before and what if they find out. Israel interrupts her rambling and asks what she is talking about.

Eduardo asks Marichuy what she is doing with Amador. Amador smarts back to Eduardo and Eduardo is about to grab Amador but Marichuy pushes him back. Eduardo asks Marichuy if she has forgotten what type of man she is keeping company with.

Estephania tells Israel to forget what she was saying and gets in the back seat. She tells him to drive on.

Eduardo again questions Marichuy why she is with Amador. Amador says that she does not have to answer him and no matter what he did to her in the past it does not compare to what JM did. He grabs Marichuy and they walk off. As they are walking down the street she thanks Amador for not telling Eduardo what she is really doing with him. Amador says that JM cannot forbide her to be with him since he is no longer in her life.

Eduardo goes to see JM in his office and tells him about his encounter with Amador and Marichuy.

Cande and Adrian are talking on the stairwell and she wonders were Marichuy is. She hopes that Marichuy is not getting into any trouble. Marichuy walks up and Adrian wants to know her secret.

JM is flabergasted that Marichuy was with Amador. Why is she with him? I asked her the same thing says Eduardo and she did not answer. When she saw me she got nervous. JM says she must have forgotten what he did to her. Eduardo tells JM that they were shopping. JM says that now she is cured she can love someone else.

Adrian again asks Marichuy what her secret is. Marichuy will not tell. Cande tells Adrian to follow her.

Eduardo asks JM if he is jealous. Jealous please she no longer is important to me responds JM. She is still my wife and she must respect me. If she thinks she can do whatever she wants then she is mistaken.

Adrian again asks what her secret is and sees a script laying on the table and takes it. They run around the table and he figures it out. She informs Adrian and Cande that she will be working with Amador.

Israel opens the door for Estephania and she tells him that she really likes him. Isa sees this and tells her that she is playing with fire. As long as Isa does not tell anyone then no one will find out.

Adrian and Cande are giving her the riot act for trusting Amador. Adrian tells Marichuy that you are not an actress and you will be looking like a fool. Marichuy ain't hearing it. She leaves and meets up with Amador to go over the script. She has her hand on Amador's chisled chest and JM walks in, claps and sarcastically says how beautiful. He apologizes for interrupting such a romantic moment. JM says that he knew this was happening. Marichuy says that she wanted this to be a surprise. JM starts saying things and accuses them that they were about to kiss.

Gustavo is in the living room when Viv brings him coffee. I hope you like asks Viv. Gustavo says you should not have done that. He begs Viv to stop. She kisses him.

Amador tells JM that he has no right to complain. JM informs Amador that Marichuy is still his wife and that he will not allow her to do things that offend him. Marichuy says that she is doing nothing wrong. Nothing wrong repeats JM, you almost kissed another man while still being married. Marichuy tells him to think whatever he wants, she will do what she wants. Amador says that JM is envious of him and JM responds back that he no longer cares about Marichuy. JM is about to punch Amador and Marichuy pushes him back and they have a moment when they are in each others arms. Please leave begs Marichuy. JM prohibits her to be with Amador while they are still married.

Gustavo pushes Viv off him and tells her to leave him alone. She calls him a coward and he tells her to leave the house or he will. She runs after him.

Amador is laughing at JM and Marichuy tells him to stop. Marichuy tells JM to leave her alone and let her live her own life.

Isa and Ceci are talking about Onelia and Estephania. Ceci asks Isa how old is Estephania.

Marichuy is informed by Padre that JM thinks that Marichuy testified against him. When she tries to tell him that she did not, Padre interrupts her. She tells him to forget about all this drama. She is walking home and is confronted by JM. He tells her finally he can finish what he wanted to tell her.

Tomorrow: The confrontation.

Labels: Cuidado

Sorry folks, I just do not have the time to do the DB recaps with the pictures. I will post brief text-only summaries to stimulate discussion. If anyone who doesn’t know Spanish has a specific question about what is going on, post it as a comment and we’ll help you out.

Santos can’t believe that Gonzalo (Comrade ??) is involved is in an armed group working against the government. He asks Gonzalo why he hasn’t tried to effect change by peaceful means. Gonzalo is scornful at Santos’ naiveté. Picking up from where they left off in San Fernando, Gonzalo asks Santos about Cecilia’s boyfriend and gets a “huh?” from Santos. Gonzalo also says he wants to propose to Marisela.

It turns out that Melendez knows about where Gonzalo and his gang are hiding out and an armed raid to kill the members of the group is planned.

DB has anemia. DB asks the doctor is she can have a baby and the doctor says that when she recovers, she certainly can.

Yippee! Mauricio is back! He is one who is buying Santos’ house to do some charitable work. He asks about everyone at Altamira. Once again, Santos’ doesn’t understand why he would ask about Cecilia’s love life. Mauricio is also disappointed to hear that Santos is involved with DB.

Back at Altamira, Antonio is desperate to reconcile with Cecilia but although she is tempted by his recollections of their lovemaking, she refuses to believe that he did not get Federica pregnant. She tells Lorenzo that she will marry him. She says that she loves Antonio but he is too young for her and would only stray again when she gets older.

Melquiades comes to see DB and they are working out their plan to take vengeance on Chepo and Melendez when Santos comes in. He is suspicious but DB claims that they were just talking about El Miedo business. Later, DB is asleep and Santos says that she looks so innocent but he has flashbacks to some of the bad things that DB did that Santos witnessed and he has doubts.

Federica has another quickie with Pajarote and she warns him not to say anything about their activities or she will say that he is the father of her baby and he’ll have to marry her. However, Marisela sees Federica and Pajarote come out of the hotel and she is instantly suspicious that something is going on.

The police attack Santos’ house. Most of the gang escape. Santos is arrested and one of the gang is killed by Chepo. It wasn’t clear to me whether this was Gonzalo or not. Melquiades witnesses the attack but can’t figure out what is going on.

Santos is being interrogated by Melendez and Chepo. He claims that he knows nothing about what was going on in his family’s house. Chepo’s voice seems familiar to Santos but the can’t pin it down until Melendez says Chepo’s name. Santos realizes this is one of the men who raped DB and he attacks him.

Meanwhile, DB is waiting impatiently for Santos to return to the hospital. There’s a knock on the door. DB tells Santos to come in but it’s Luisana. DB is impactada.

Labels: barbara

Isabel and PJ/S are having an argument. He hits her and she tries to hit him and Walter bursts in on them while they are yelling at each other.

Isabel tells PJ/S says that she is stronger than she appears and she will succeed in getting rid of him.

Isabel forbids Walter from telling anyone especially her husband about what happened between her and PJ/S. Otherwise, she will make sure Walter gets fired.

PJ/S takes the still zombified Antonio to the hospital for tests but there isn't anything wrong with him physically.

Andrés forces Walter to tell him what happened between Isabel and PJ/S.

Andrés thinks about it and remembers how Isabel tenderly put ointment on PJ/S's back when he got sunstroke at the beach house. He decides they are having an affair and he decides to kill PJ/S.

Andrés tells everyone that robbers have been spotted on the property and PJ/S goes out to investigate.

Andrés shoots PJ/S from behind a tree.

PJ/S is carried to the house where nobody is sure if he is dead or not.

Then they carry him inside.

Where Rebeca takes the opportunity to cut a lock of his hair and get a nail clipping.

PJ/S is in the hospital but is not expected to live.

Labels: cuerpo

"They that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same." Job 4:8
Funniest Home Videos......NOT!
Anvils 'R Us


Good morning, folks. Sorry to be later than usual with this but the computer was out of commission last night. And poor Fafy appears to be permanently out of commission at the end of this episode.

But who knows? The writers love to fool us with these cliffhangers. At any rate, he knows the truth about Sara now, thanks to Ernesto's Not Funniest Home Video. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start back at the beginning.

We have a brief review of the tense scene between Bruno and Fafy where the latter asks him what he's doing in Fafy's place of business. Bruno , impactado at seeing Fafy still alive, treads water adroitly and tells him he's here to do some health checkups on Sara's employees for the insurance.

And the explanation for Fafy's miraculous presence? He stopped the car when he got a call from the client on his cellphone. They talked for a long time. When he finally started up the car again he pumped the brake and nothing! He steered the car into the curb and voilà...here he is, safe and sound. I owe him one (the client), Fafy adds.

Meanwhile, Sara, in high dudgeon, is blasting Alonso for having lied to her about Lorena.

Alonso: I never lied to you. I wasn't with her when we talked, but now I am. I could never love a woman like you. My only regret is that I went with you and hurt the love of my life.

Sara: How dare you!? WE love each other. How can you love THAT wretch?! You'll pay, both of you. You won't be happy for even five minutes. I'll be with you.

Alonso: What did Lorena ever do to you?

Sara: She robbed me of your love.

More shouting (I should probably just put "Alonso's lines, Sara's lines") and then he throws her out of the apartment.

Sara, of course, is just getting warmed up. Now she calls "Las Cazuelas", gets in an insulting match with Rossy in order to talk to Lorena, finds out the latter is off with Hortensia picking up the first payment on the auto assembly catering contract and heads off to do more verbal damage there.

Meanwhile Bruno and Fafy are still chatting about Fafy's guardian angel and "good star" but practical Fafy also thinks he needs to see about some actual security measures. At this point, Ernesto arrives and is instructed to come up with a menu for a special dinner for guardian angel client that evening. Ernesto promises to get right on it after he takes care of one little detail (putting a videocamera in some files in Fafy/Sara's office.

In the meantime, another cat fight with Lorena and Hortensia coming out on top. Sara's berating them for being losers and "muertas de hambre" and they're sneering at her because everything she's gotten is by trickery. And she has no love! No family! Sara gloats that she's enjoying Hortensia's house and business. Hortensia b****slaps her. Sara continues her verbal beatdown and this time Lorena busts her one. The sound effects are enormous on these slaps. Sara should be in the hospital but she only looks momentarily stunned.

Barbara, meanwhile, is showing us that she's now a serious, hard-working grownup . She turns down the romantic advances of one the Cazuela's clients, telling him firmly that she can't respond in kind. But if he wants to come in the office to discuss the banquet budget, she's all ears. He evaporates.

More bad news for Sara. She arrives at the office to find Fafy "vivito y coleando" (alive and kicking) and she and Bruno go into the office and position themselves conveniently in front of the camera to smooch, churn about Lorena and whine about Hortensia's recovery. I pushed her down the stairs but she didn't die! I was suffocating her with a pillow and then Lorena stepped in! I'd love to strangle them both! If only I had a pistol!

Bruno rightly observes that Sara is hysterical and offers a pill. Fafy and Ernesto arrive and he tells her about his miraculous recovery and then qvetches a bit about there being no Beaujolais in the place to accompany his client appreciation dinner. Sara oozes all over the old guy, assuring him she would die if anything happened to him and both Sara and Bruno advise suing the socks off the person who sold him the car. Fafy is all love and forgiveness since the owner of the agency is a friend of his.

They head off to the kitchen to check the menu preparation but first Fafy takes another Flo-Max bathroom break. He's been stepping out to the restroom frequently in these last few episodes, adding a note of realism, I must say. Ernesto uses this time to check his camera and Fafy catches him with it in the office. Ernesto makes up a pretty implausible story (he's not as good at this as Bruno) but Fafy lets it ride while they check on the menu. There's a tense moment when Bruno, seeing the camera, asks for it. Anxious music throbs in the background, but all he says is that he'd like to buy one like it. Oh, there are a lot better ones, mumbles Ernesto anxiously, as he takes it back.

Sara decides she'll run around town looking for the Beaujolais Fafy wants (2004 or 2005) and wants to buy a dress for the dinner as well. And who better to accompany her and give her advice but her sensitive, fashion-forward friend Bruno? Fafy gives them his blessing and off they go to plot their next murderous move.

Fafy then instructs Ernesto to follow him into the office and he says he'll be there after checking a couple of details in the kitchen (and popping into the bathroom himself to check the recording). We did it Lorena, he exults, we did it! He has the goods on Sara now. How will Fafy react?

After the ad, we see Bruno and Sara in the car, planning to adulterate one of the Beaujolais wine bottles with a slow-acting poison. Subtle enough so that no one will be able to pin the death on them. At the same moment Fafy is confronting Ernesto. Are you some kind of voyeur? Or committing industrial espionage with that camera? No, replies Ernesto. I was only interested in filming one person....Sara.

We're on the edge of our seats, but the writers flip us back to Barbara, re-reading Chalo's final love letter, misspellings and all, and tearily reminiscing about the one great love of her life. (Seriously, how long do you think that affair would have lasted had Chalo lived? Oh well, let's not be cynical.) Vasco comes in, catches her crying, but congratulates her on her new-found independence, work ethic, and ability to fend off unwanted romantic overtures. Mom has grown up!

Back at the lesser house, Hortensia and Lorena have convened the family and Joel, the under-sized lawyer, to plan how to put Sara in jail. Surely together they can come up with enough evidence to put her away. Particularly now that Ernesto overheard the conversation about poisoning the food for the banquet. Eventually everyone in the family except Julian is there (even Alonso shows up) but lawyer Joel pours water on every thing they put forward. It's just their word against Sara. No real proof that will stand up in court.

But Fafy has all the proof he needs, thanks to Ernesto's video. I thank you from the depths of my soul for breaking my heart, he tells Ernesto sadly. For the first time in my life, I fell genuinely in love. But looking back, I realize that all my loves have been "bought". But let's keep playing it like we don't know about Sara.. We'll see how far she'll go. Ernesto warns him to be very careful, and especially vigilant about his medicine. Fafy agrees.

There's a poignant scene following this, where Fafy, all alone with a tumbler of cognac in his hand, calls Santiago. His little pal, hurt by the fight over the ruined golf clubs, refuses to answer the phone....for the first time ever. So Fafy leaves a "making amends" message, recognizing that Santiago was the only human being who ever truly cared for him. The golf clubs weren't important. His genuine friendship was.

Fafy, like Barbara, finally grows up.

On the other hand, Bruno and Sara are still at it, snarling at each other in the car. Phone rings. It's Fafy. Where are you? Looking for the wine took a long time. Get home. Click! He hung up on me! announces Sara.

Another sideline story...really annoying in my opinion, about Bettina's love triangle. Gramps is giving her advice and basically confirms that Jorge is a creep and she needs to telephone Ivan and clear things up. Of course when she does, Jorge answers the phone, lies that Ivans out with a girl and tells Ivan it was a wrong number. Yawn.

Back at the lesser house, Joel is still letting the air out of everyone's legal strategies against Sara, saying that even if Toño the forger were willing to testify (unlikely) the trial would be very long and the case hard to prove. Our folks are beginning to believe Sara has a pact with the devil. Is there no way to get her!?

Whew...a little buff break for us ladies. Ernesto, still being trailed by the obvious private detective, has planned to meet a buddy, change clothes with him in a store dressing room, and throw off the tail. His pal thinks it's woman trouble (lio de faldas) again, and Ernesto says, "Well, something like that". Nice shot of Ernesto's manly deltoids, pecs, triceps etc. (trying to look at this like the fitness professional I am) but alas, the scene is all too short. He's off to the lesser house to show the group his latest contribution to the bring-down-Sara strategy.

Sara and Bruno finally arrive at the mansion to find it crawling with security guards. One of them even demands to look in Sara's purse. She's furious and stomps up the stairs to confront Fafy.

Back to the lesser house. Ernesto arrives. Alonso has already been sulking everytime Ernesto's name is mentioned. Now he's incensed that Ernesto is here in the flesh (hmmm, thinking back to that dressing room scene am I?) and pouts some more when Ernesto pulls out the incrimiating video. But little Joel once again dims the lights, telling them a video can't be used in court. Well, one effect anyway, is that Diana is so disgusted with Bruno's behavior, she wants to see about changing their son's last name. (paving the way for Vasco, no doubt.) The troops are fuming, wanting to get Sara and get her now, but Ernesto advises waiting. Fafy's in the know. Let's wait a little longer.

Sara, great at smoke screens, is still arguing for throwing the security guards out. They're looking at me with lecherous glances. Am I supposed to change clothes with this goon staring at me!? Fafy tiredly waves the guard out of the bedroom, but not out of the house. Sara keeps trying to get him to have at least a sip of the poisoned wine but he declines. Are you going to reject me? she coos. "There's always a first time, he replies quietly. And goes to sleep.

The next morning, Sara awakens, leans over to rouse him and......nada. Has Fafy met his Maker, unaided by Sara and Bruno? Tune in tonight to find out.

VOCABULARY

lio de faldas = woman trouble

los tiempos que corren lo ameritan = with things the way they are, it's necessary (Fafy talking about security measures)

más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo = experience counts (Toribio explaining why Bettina should trust his advice)

trabas = obstacles, difficulties (all the things lawyer Joel brings up)

maridaje = combination, "marriage" (in a cooking sense)

hinojo = fennel (one of the kitchen help was working on a "crema de hinojo"

Labels: enemiga

Leftovers: Balbina comes upon Mayita thrashing about and yelling on her bed, having a nightmare during the day. She tries to wake her up and feels her forehead.

The judge tells Juan Miguel that the incident with Marichuy appears to be an isolated bad moment in his past, and not indicative of his character. He doesn’t think JM is a danger to his daughter, so he is letting Mayita stay with JM and closing the case. Ornerylia’s lawyer looks disgusted, because he loves for fathers to be dangerous to their daughters so that the helpless little girls can be sent away with their evile grandmothers. JM reflects back on his many sweet moments with his precious daughter. They really are charming together.

Fresh dish: Padre Anselmo asks Marichuy about the deposition. He chastises her at length about having let that ogre use her to have a good man’s child taken away, etc. Marichuy just says, “did you want me to lie?” and doesn’t tell him what she actually said, then leaves.

Mayita is still on her bed looking theatrically feverish and yelling for her daddy, while Onelia and Estafa have now joined to spectate. Balbina thinks they should call a doctor, and Ornerylia yells at her and says Mayita’s condition is not that serious. I think they should at the very least get out the thermometer and check her temperature. Estafa is quick to think of how she can use this to her advantage, and suggests that they call Eduardo to come over. Ornerylia agrees to that. I think maybe she’s got some strange hold over Ed, and she’s afraid to take Mayita to any other doctor for fear a complete exam would reveal signs of abuse.

Marichuy bikes to Televisa, where Amadork is on a set with a big couch describing the role he told Mari to study to another actress. The character is a very poor and miserable girl with dark hair. That sounds vaguely familiar. Mari enters and loudly greets him, and the whole crew shushes her, but I’m not sure why because you wouldn’t think they’d be filming while he just gives an auditioning actress basic background. Unless he wants the whole process recorded for the behind-the-scenes special where everyone talks about how great the director is, which is totally something he’d be into. Amadork has the other actress taken away and looks craftily at Marichuy.

In Madrid, Viviana goes to Leticia’s bedroom and takes forever to tell her she wants to talk to her about something serious, regarding…Gustavo. Leti is impactada.

Back at Telerisa, Amador has Mari begin her audition. Why they need a full crew for this, I have no idea. Her part, Alexandra, is a young lady who is in love with a man, but she is afraid, etc., and everyone is against them. Hmmm. She’s a little nervous and has trouble remember the first lines, but they get going. Amador, naturally, is playing the man in love with her, and he hams up his part a bit, which makes Mari laugh at him and giggle through her lines. He tells her to take it seriously. She spaces out and remembers Estafa trying to separate her and JM, and Amador tells her she’s doing very well while she still stands there spaced out.

Doctor Eduardo has arrived at the castle with a thermometer and a cool cloth for Mayita’s forehead. Her asks her if it hurts anywhere, but she just cries for Cuate and her mom and dad. Onelia clarifies that Cuate is Marichuy’s dog, which she took away. Then she excuses herself, because she sure as heck has better things to do than hang around with a sick child.

Well, Mayita’s mommy can’t be bothered with her sick child either, because she’s still in Madrid catting around. She tells Leticia that a woman has been calling for Gustavo. Leti thinks it’s probably just business or something, but Vile Viv says she’s eavesdropped and she’s sure Gustavo is a cheating scumbag.

Marichuy says she can’t go on; she feels very, very bad. She collapses on the floor and everyone applauds. Amador tells her she was great; she was born to be an actress. He is going to make her a star.

At Casa Velarde, Ceci is taking tea standing up in the woods and telling Martirio that she is worried because she hasn’t heard how JM’s custody case went. Martirio can’t believe she would care about him after he declined to marry their nasty “daughter” but Ceci says they’ve known him for years and he’s always been good to her. Patricio shows up and tells her the outcome and she is delighted.

Amador tells Marichuy that she is a diamond in the rough. She objects to the “in the rough” part. He says he is going to polish her up and make her shine. I bet. She says she wants to be successful so she can prove wrong all the people who were mean to her and thought she was just street trash. Amador squints at her and looks thoughtful.

Ornerylia is on the phone with Estafa when JM arrives at home. She tells him Mayita is sick, but he still takes a moment to seethe at her over her gall (after what she did, she still thinks she’s living there?) and she just smirks at him. He runs upstairs to hug and smooch the little girl. Ed and Balbina beam at each other over this touching paternal scene. Onelia reports to Estafa that JM looked angry and didn’t say a word, so the judge must have decided against him. Yes, because he would have only smiles and compliments for YOU had the case gone in his favor. I’m surprised Onelia’s lawyer didn’t call her with the news. She asks Stef to come over.

Amador tells Marichuy that he will be her guru; he is the ONLY one who can make her a star. Um, if she’s really as talented as you say, Amadork, that can’t be true. He reaches for her and she says hands off. He asks if she’s really as prudish as always, and she says now she’s not afraid of men or falling in love (aha! So Ed was right, and the whole episode with JM really did cure her for some strange reason which we will probably never divine) but she still doesn’t trust HIM. She enumerates the reasons. Amador puts on his pretentious voice again and says, but, ah, she is now a great artiste, and he has total respect for art. Whatever, she says, acting only, no handsies or any other physical contact, she’ll only take the gig if her leaves her alone personally. He says he accepts her conditions (riiiiiight…) and wants to shake on it. She touches his hand in the briefest way possible and still looks rightly suspicious. I hope they are never there alone together.

Onelia goes to Mayita’s room and rudely boots Balbina out. She gloats to JM about how she’s going to take Mayita away, but he tells her he won the case, and he is throwing HER out! Yes, please please please really throw her out!

Amador and Marichuy are walking out of the building and they run into some woman who is in a hurry but stops to say hi to Amador. I’m sure she will be important later. She leaves. Amador asks Mari if she’s taking a taxi, and she says she can’t afford such luxuries. He tries to give her money, saying it’s just an advance and she can pay him back from her first earnings, but she doesn’t want to borrow money and takes off on her bike. He stares at her through the dorkiest imaginable sunglasses as she leaves.

Onelia says he can’t throw her out. How delusional is she? They start yelling and Ed intervenes and tells them to do it somewhere else. So they exit, and Juan Miguel really lets her have it. He wants her to take her things and leave, and if she doesn’t he will have them thrown in the street; he will not have her under his roof after what she did. She objects that he is being disrespectful to her. He says she is vile and he wants his daughter to have a normal healthy childhood which she can’t do with a horrid witch in the house poisoning her mind, etc., etc. Months and years of pent-up fury come spewing out, and it’s awesome. Onelia slaps him across the face, all shaking and with steam practically coming out her ears. He glares at her.

She says she’ll leave, but one day he’ll pay for this humilliation. She will not leave him in peace.

Marichuy visits Rocio and asks how she’s doing. Rocio is anxious for the bandages to come off so she can see how the surgery went. She asks how Mari is and says she hopes she didn’t say bad things about Juan Miguel at the deposition, because she knows how much he loves Mayita. Mari doesn’t really answer.

An unknown doctor leaves the castle in a red car as Stef drives up. Inside, doctors JM and Ed discuss that it’s good that Mayita won’t have to go to the hospital, it’s just a throat infection. What kind of crap doctor is Ed that he can’t diagnose a throat infection? Sorry, Ed my love, I’m sure you are a fabulous doctor at something other than throat infections. Really, though, I’m beginning to think these boys just got those degrees so they could say they are doctors and wear white coats. I don’t think they really practice except for free with the poor people who can’t afford better. Ed is happy that JM gets to keep Mayita. He leaves to visit Rocio and go to work, and JM snuggles on the bed with Mayita. Glowy Granny Mariana joins them, and they’re all happy. I really think Mariana looks too old to be the mother of Juan Miguel and Rocio.

Downstairs, Ed runs into nasty Stef and kisses her on the cheek when she greet him. Eeeeeewwwww, cooties! He is pleased to report to her that Juan Miguel has thrown Onelia out and gets to keep Mayita. Stef gives him a clenchy frozen smile.

Vile Viv tells Leti she doesn’t look well, and she’d better take her medicine early. Viv prepares it with a whole dropperful of drugs, waaaaaay more than the very strict 5-drop dosage. Then after Leti drinks it, Viv tells her she can find out about Gustavo’s affair by going to the Hotel Ritz where he’s going to meet the woman and see for herself. Leti looks unsure. Viv is so many kinds of evile. She’s killing Leti anyway, but she can’t just let her die happy? She has to make her miserable too?

Stef goes to Mayita’s room and chats with JM about Onelia’s ouster. He does that eyebrow-stroking pensive thing he does. I read somewhere once that in some cultures that is seen as a sign of homosexuality, because the eyebrow-grooming is effeminate or something. That is neither here nor there. Stef offers to stay with Mayita so JM can rest, but JM says he needs to go to work, but he wants to stay with Mayita a bit longer. He does not look pleased about Stef being there, and Glowy Granny, still on the bed, looks even less happy.

Leti agrees to check up on Gustavo, and she and Viv discuss the trap. Leti looks very sad.

Ed encounters Mari at the hospital and tells her that Mayita is sick and misses Cuate.

Estafa asks Onelia where she’s going; she says to her sister Eugenia’s house. She’s not convinced the judge really ruled against her. Her lawyer hasn’t called and she can’t call that imbecile. She hates Juan Miguel, etc., etc.

Juan Miguel asks Balbina to guard Mayita while he’s gone and not leave her and lock the doors so Onelia can’t get to her. I think he should hire serious security to keep her out.

Marichuy arrives home and recounts her day to Purita. They discuss that being separated from one’s child would be the worst thing for a parent. Purita says that Mari talks like she’s going to be a parent. Mari says having a child would be the coolest thing ever.

Ceci is at the church crying and praying that Marichuy will be okay, and her life won’t be ruined. She feels bad for not defending her and hopes she will come back, because she loves her more than that nasty Stef.

Mari remembers Ed saying how much Mayita misses Cuate, and feels bad for the poor sick child.

Viv and Leti pace around the terrace waiting to see if Gustavo will go out. Meanwhile, he is reflecting on Viv’s skanky invite. He decides to go, and they watch him leave. Leti is upset and Viv rubs it in. Leti still thinks Viv is her friend.

Stef is painting her nails by Mayita’s bed. Fortunately, Glowy Granny is there to offer real comfort. Marichuy enters with Cuate. Qué haces aquí? Stef is rude; they have words. Mari reminds her that she is still married to Juan Miguel.

Mayita is still delirious and calling for Cuate, not realizing that Mari has put him in the bed with her.

Viv goes to the Ritz to meet up with Gustavo. He says he’s not there for an affair, just to straighten things out with her. He blows cigar smoke in her face while she slimes all over him and goes on about the rooms upstairs. His brother walks in and sees them together. Gabriel is not happy.

Estafa tries to throw Mari out, like she’s the lady of the manor or something. Mari says she’ll do as she pleases. Really I think she should get over her tiff with JM and get back together with him just to spite Stef. Mari leaves of her own accord.

Viv again tries to talk Gustavo into an affair by calling him a coward. He says he’s not a coward, he just doesn’t want to do that to his wife. He neglects to add that Viv is gross. He offers her money to leave. She looks thoughtful.

As Mari is leaving the castle, she sees JM sleeping on the couch, coughing. He must be sick, too. She stops to look at him for awhile.

Viv tells Gustavo she doesn’t want money, she wants him. She keeps at it until he gives in and kisses her, and they leave together.

Mari gazes fondly at JM and notices he is still wearing his wedding ring. Stef comes downstairs and is nasty and Mari leaves, with JM sleeping through the whole thing.

Mayita wakes up and is delighted to see Cuate. Stef says that she (Stef) brought him for her. Mariana looks disgusted.

Marichuy, at the hospital, faints. At least she picked a good place. Later, in an exam room, the doctor asks her if she’s married. She says she’s getting a divorce. He says she can’t, because she’s pregnant. She is majorly impactada.

I didn’t notice any particularly interesting vocabulary today. Rocío means sprinkle, spray, or dew, which I just learned in the past week. Also, Marichuy has in the past called Amador a “tocho morocho.” Tocho means rough or crude, and morocho means strong.

Labels: Cuidado

Here is a stone SNAKE, sorry I did not have a SNAKE BUCKLE to show you tonight.

Dear Friends, I am in the middle of another Spanish immersion class in Santa Cruz, NM so will try to spin this dilly of an episode out asap. So we begin with a variety of characters say the following, match the phrase with the appropriate character and figure out which one I made up: "One of these babies is mine and I won't lose her again. I won't lose the money again. I won't lose my pants again, I won't lose my head again."

Sofia speculates just like Abuelo and we all have: Ruth pleased my Mama so, Mama would have preferred Ruth be her daughter more than me. Ruth will return for her hacienda and plans to avenge herself against the Reyes. But Sofia knows about the assassination of the Reyes' parents. Only Juan saw it and there was a belt buckle with a serpent that he remembered. Problems is Sofia tells Sarita at the bottom of the stairs where the sound carries throughout the house and Feo overhears all from his lair in the office, more people will die soon is my guess.

Abuelo corners Gabriela in the office. He wants to talk with her, you are egoistic and cruel but how bad are you capable of being? I am not a fool. We old folks learn from and have the advantage of experiences. You are responsible for the disapperance of Sofia's daughter. You know the girl is one of the three at the orphanage and only you know which one she is. You and Feo are involved in the kidnapping (secuestro) of your own granddaughter. How can you say that? asks Miss Butter Wouldn't Melt In Her Mouth, Gabi. That is exactly what I am going to investigate. She sneers, short life expectancy for someone here.

Sofia cuddles the three girls now in jammies. With nostalgia, Jimena wants a baby but with her distance from Oscar that is only a dream. If all those late night balcony visits, she shouldn't worry but just in case Sofia could share one of these. Sara looks on.

Oscar grumbles at Franco he can't see Jimena but Franco is going to see his young filly (potranca). Out at Hacienda RR, Juan enters the kitchen searching for his sombrero, perhaps among the pots and pans or under the large skillets. I have to go see Sofia I'll go every day for ever if need be. Where is the brat (escuincle)? Franco went to see his Sarita.

Franco swaggers into the bedroom proposing that Sarita not pound him again like a mule Sarita bristles at being called a mule. I am here to see my nieces not you. They rub by each other a few times, he past the pillows chanting about the little pieces of gold. Sarita's new blue red glasses are not too sexy but at least show change. He baits her with a fragrant red rose and she succumbs to his bearded charms. More full moon, how come it is full so often?

They ride out on horses and kiss and return to their fire side chat just like the time they, oh you remember. The Reyes boys sing in the background music. Oh Sofia sighs with the violins too and Juan comes through the door. We had babies together all day. Juan beams, I want to look to caress to kiss. I want to give you something very important. But you gave me already back the most important thing of all, my daughter. Juan gets down on knees and looks hither an yon finally finds it in yon and pulls out a bitty box with a sparkly diamond ring and stumbles though a proposal. She accepts his marriage proposal. He puts the ring on her finger: With this ring I promise to love you forever, one man for one woman and I promise to love you all my life. She completes the chant, I am also a one man woman for you and no one else. "Olvidemos...the now ominous lyrics play in the background urging us to forget the past, live in the present, I love you forever as they fade into a seduction scene with angel bells instead of sexy roses like in Pasión... el pasado y vivamos en presente. te amo para siempre. Trouble with a capital T.
***********
Feo enters the bridal suite and pulls Gaby's hair playfully, she shirks him off no kissing. She wants to talk mean and wants him to come up with the way to separate Juan and Sofia meantime she banishes him from her room and her bed. He goes to the Ruthless room. He throws jacket down, practices yogic deep breathing, he speculates he will get rid of Sofia and Juan then Gabriela in more or less that order and no one will stop him and he will have all the money. Gabi is having a wet dream of sorts imagining again their nights of passion, she gets up enters his room and he is preening in front of his mirror naked. She approaches and he acts tough against the neck kissing, then he turns and gives her good nookie she climbs him like Root will later. Now tell me this is not genetic.

Padre Tad and Abuelo speak about their grave suspicions that Gabi is truly guilty of this child nabbing. You have always been a great gentlemen. We'll think of something. These two never think of anything really useful so do not hold your breath.

Gabi is already satisfied from the conjugal tumbling and is ready for her bed in her silk jammies suspiciously smelling the red presumably hot perfume that she thinks belongs to some other woman. This Gabi is jealous of her own shadow. He reminds her of Root having occupied the room most recently. Next she searches his chest of drawers and comes out with THE SERPENT BUCKLE. How did you get this? He off handedly says, Rachel gave it to him while still in her hacienda. She remembers that at the time when the Reyes parents were assassinated, Ricardo Uribe always liked wearing it. Just to add to the evidence, over in HRR, Juan has a terrible dream of the assassination. He feigns memory loss but Sofia recalls his telling her the whole story of witnessing his parents' death. He couldn't see the face of his parents killer(s). He repeats that he doesn't remember the face but does remember the SNAKE BUCKLE.

Ricardo Uribe killed the Reyes, concludes Feo. Gabi pretends she is not sure and she doesn't want the subject brought up any more. Stroking the SNAKE BUCKLE, while Feo suddenly says he has the perfect way to separate Juan and Sofia. Gabi lowers her eyelids in semi thrill as she continues to stroke the SNAKE BUCKLE.
**********

Sofia comes down the stairs the smiling cheerily and is asked fairly civilly how the babies slept by Gabi. Very well. Gabi stumbles on the stairs in fake swoon and sends Sofia up the stairs to get some documents that Papa kept in a box in his old room. Sofia goes up to be helpful and Gabi looks pleased with herself. She swears the marriage of Sofia and Juan will never happen.

Juan tells his dreams to the brothers Reyes, of seeing the assassination again and the SNAKE BUCKLE.

Sofia opens the big chest in her father's room and discovers his old cowboy hat. She swoons papapapapapa a few times, how much I miss you. She continues taking things out of the chest, finding documents, clothes and pictures. One handsome one of her father particularly attracts her and she continues looking for the box of documents, takes out a belt whose buckle we can't see and then, and then, oh maigawd, the SNAKE BUCKLE comes out. Sofia says it is what Juan saw at the murder, it is is the one worn by the killer of Juan's parents. Oh it's not possible my father could have been the assassin of the Reyes parents? She drops it on the bed like it was really a squirmy rattler. Fill into your imagination several lines of "no puede ser" I'm going for a cold drink of water. HOLY SNAKE BUCKLES!
***************

What should I do What should I do, She replays Juan's words swearing that he would always recognize that BUCKLE again. This will bring great suffering to our lives. Sofia hasn't cried and torn her hair this much since before the 3 babies were found. Oh no. She shows her Mama the SNAKE BUCKLE. Is his my father's, Yes of course, smirks Gabi. He wore it constantly until one day he came back very weird and never wore it again . He came back all bloody and ever after found the sight or mention of the SNAKE BUCKLE very disagreeable. Her serpentine smile makes me cringe.

Juan in manic mode checks out the crib which would be a federal violation for these big 3 baby girls, but he swear he will fill it with toys and then finds his dew rag and a bucket and just when we're thinking bucket bath. he begins to paint "vien venidas mis Ninas". then paints with purple in serious, apparently wasn't winner of any spelling bees.

Eva cries over Rosario Sofia comes in to ask her if she ever seen her father wear it . no but he really liked BUCKLES and collected so many of them But this is the one that the assassin wore of Reyes parents. She repeats Gabi's smiling story of how he came to hate seeing it . Sofia cries and then makes Eva swear not to tell anyone that she has shown this buckle most of all because it will hurt so many pole like Oscar and Franco. I have to go see Juan about this bad news BUCKLE

Gabi and Feo toast over the toasting of Juan and Sofia's love redo soon to be on the rocks. They embrace over hot brandy and go for hot sexy kisses.
**********
Sofia shows up in the happy nursery with her sad rags on and her eyes averted. She opens her purse and shows Juan the SNAKE BUCKLE. He relives the murder scene and then Sofia tells him that this was in her father's things and therefore apparently belonged to her father. Feo and Gabi kneel before the altar and say pobrecitos de Juan and Sofia.

Juan immediately says, then it was your father who killed my parents. This could be someone else's he collected, says sobsister Sofia. He says it could be any other buckle and again sees his lovely parents shot, remembers the flight with his brothers afterward by the old oath swearing tree.

Juan sobs more convincingly than Sofia can weep, We have to separate. We can't be together, we can't marry. Sofia the sad now begs to be together. We will overcome this test as we have before. We have to pardon... then he remembers suddenly all that she and her sisters wouldn't forgive him and his brothers. I can't marry you I can't love you not the daughter of the murderer of my parents. It would be the same as becoming accepting that your father killed my parents. I promised on their grave to avenge their death and regain the hacienda. I understand but I am not to blame for any of this. Juan counters with, I am not blaming you but you and I are both victims of what your father did. damn him damn him Your father tricked my sister, impregnated her and then abandoned her. Sofia protests that he was honorable. Juan says not so much. Sofia doesn't want to lose him, but she wanted him to see the SNAKE UCKLE. I can't be married to the daughter of the assassins. I can't do anything against you because I love you but I should not, I cannot love you. Fade to Vale un buen amor (who has a buen amor here, inquiring minds want to know.)

NEXT the BoyZ and Girlz plan their cute matching outfits for the wedding. while Juan cries still in his dew rag.

Labels: Fuego