Refugio Para el Amor #77 Tue 7/24/12 You're Only As Sick As The Secrets You Keep

Well, if secrets make us sick, clearly we have a lot of very ill people in this fascinating love story..

  Violeta has kept the secret of her employment from her mother.  Mother Magda has kept the secret of Violeta's parentage from both her and Don Aquiles.  Paz has kept the secret of Luciana's parentage from both her and Licenciado Linares. So has Mati. Rosaura has kept the secret of giving away Luciana as a baby from...well...everyone except Padre Honesto. Maximino is keeping secret the framing of Linares, his silent partnering of the Inferno and his sadistic affair with Vicky, Vicky is keeping her affair a secret from her worried papa,  Gala and Julie have kept secret the fact that they only want Rodrigo for his bank account. Jana is keeping secrets from herself....that she's really in love with Lorenzo, not her official novio, Brigida is keeping secret her  vicious monetary dealings with Gala and Julie.  Both Luciana and Rodrigo are keeping secret from themselves and each other that they're still madly in love and really want to be together.

All these secrets are eating away at hearts and souls, corrupting motives, destroying peace of mind, betraying integrity  and blighting caracters.  So hang on tight as we watch some of these secrets worm their way to light,  while others still remain hidden....and quietly poisonous.

I'm going to consolidate the scenes for (hopefully) brevity as Melinama wants us to scale down the length of these.

THE BARRIO

The barrio plans for the tacos de canasta business is going swimmingly.  We see the posse stocking up at the colorful mercado, having their fortunes read by the “pajaritos de suerte” (suerte can mean luck, but also fate, chance or providence).   Estelita's granddaughter hears that she's going to get a good surprise (mom coming back?), Lorenzo: that love is on the way (Jana?) and Ariche: that he will soon get to know or meet up with (“conocer”) the sky. (I'm in a cold sweat thinking he's going to meet his Maker but actually he just goes on an exciting plane ride with Rodrigo).  Then it's off to home where all the females gather around the table to chop, peel and prepare the veggies while the boys go off to see about the bicycle tire, and Marianita, quickly bored with it all, goes out to play.  Paz throws a small hyperventilating hissy fit when she learns Lorenzo plans to stay in Mexico City to “probar suerte” (try to make his way) but that soon passes.  She's got other things to worry about; namely her own date with destiny revealing the truth about Luciana to Licenciado Linares.

No, Paz hasn't told him yet.  She had the chance for a face to face truth telling when he walked in the door earlier, but she lost her nerve.  And in the meantime, she seems to be having heart palpitations every time she thinks of the confrontation and the possible “desprecio”(disdain, scorn, contempt) that Luciana could feel for her, finding out Mama Paz has lied to her all these years about her true origins. (Yep, Rosalena, your diabolical Fear Fest had its effect.) At episode's end, she finally gets up the nerve to call Linares and request an urgent meeting.  But no, she can't tell him over the phone.  So we're left to bite our nails, wondering what will happen to torpedo this important meeting.  For sure, it will be something!

So what secret did come to light?  Violeta's.  Magda and she have a big Come to Jesus meeting the next day with Magda proclaiming it's not so much the degrading work as the fact as the engaño (deception) and las mentiras (lies) that Violeta's been spinning all these years.  Lots of perdoname's and what kind of mother have I been, and no's youse the best, and more perdoname's until finally they come to affectionate peace with each other and heartfelt hugs are exchanged. (Have we already mentioned that Violeta respectfully addresses her mom as “usted” while Magda uses the “tu” form when talking to her daughter?) Paz walks in and sees the happy ending and seems to be wondering if her own High Noon meeting with Linares and then Luciana will turn out as well.  Key reveal: Violeta assures her mother that though some of the girls do a few other things in addition to waiting tables, she NEVER has.  She's still the good girl mama raised in the Het Het pueblo. Key reveal for Magda: She's no saint and really shouldn't judge Violeta.  (Glad that's settled.)

THE BUSINESS WORLD

Rodrigo is continuing with his business plan involving saving money on the cost of plane fuel  by using “biocombustibles”(biofuel)--in spite of the fact that Boss Dad Maximino hasn't given his approval.  His two buds, as well as Oscar and Pato are all for it.  Maximino, when he learns of it, is totally against.  Rodrigo is the son and employee, Max is the papa and the boss.  If he wants to go rogue, he can leave the company. (What happened to our understanding, sympathetic father?)

 And while he's on a tear during this episode, Max also humiliates Vicky-- keeping her at his feet while he sneers into his drink, demanding that she give up her work if it conflicts with his whims of a nooner-only-sooner or any other shagtime he wants.  When she pleadingly bleats that she needs to work during normal hours, he knees her in the jaw and  slams out saying that he's through with her.  She creeps back to work and I just hope she realizes how lucky she is to be shot of that old fiend.  Nicole rags on her about the purported excuse to leave to see about her ailing father, but doesn't look convinced.  Methinks Vicky might lose both work and Osito in one fell swoop.

But hey, there's always time for more domination games.Back at work after the Vicky beatdown,  Maximino grabs Aldo roughly in the hallway, reminds him not to “pasarte de listo conmigo” (get too clever with me, try to get away with something) because you don't know what I'm capable of when people bother me!   But I'm going to test you, Maximino continues, I'm going to take you to the Inferno with me tonight and I want you to pay close attention to what I want you to do.

THE HIGH RENT SKANK WORLD

Rosalena, Julie and Gala are having a Tea and Scheme party on the veranda.  Julie's mouth, as usual, looks like a bloody scar. Like she just feasted on raw flesh. Rosalena is her usual pale, monotone , beige-on-beige, cool ,demented self.  Gala...impeccable, but heavily made up.  They're trying to get their stories straight on the going-off-to-Columbia gambit to try and snare Rodrigo back when Julie can't resist dropping the news that they know about Rosaura's betrayal of Linares (and Luciana).  Gleefully thinking they have her by the short hairs, Rosaura cooly informs them that she's glad they know she's capable of anything if someone gets in her way (si alguien se interpone en mi camino) so then they realize that if they drop the dime on her, she's capable of saying that the whole Luciana humiliation in the library was engineered by Julie and Gala.  She was only there as an innocent but concerned mother.  Pow! Zap! And Checkmate!  Nice to see the gruesome twosome momentarily defeated.  Back to being under Rosa's thumb for our scheming duo.

INCIDENTALS, AND DIFFERENCES IN PHILOSOPHY

 Earlier, Rosalena, on her endless mission to control the universe, starts in on Connie about her weekend romance plans with Oscar.  How can she...a woman of a “certain age”, and a mother, even consider going off on a juicy weekend like some oversexed adolescent!!!??  I mean, look in the mirror sis!  Look at your body!  You're going to let him see THAT!!??? We both know Men prefer Young Women. Connie looks appropriately deflated and manages to whimper that Rosa has really wounded her.  I know, Rosalena blissfully acknowledges, forgive me. The truth hurts. And, dirty work done, she breezes off.

With that painful “truth” in mind, Connie later sees Melissa walking on air, first, because she's on her last chapter of the thesis, and because her mentor is the oh-so-wonderful Licenciado Linares.  Now there's a May-December pairing for sure.

So no suprise that when Oscar calls later, champing at the bit to leave on the weekend with Connie, she hesitantly says, “But first we have to talk.” (Trust me, those are words no man wants to hear.)

These very painful scenes, and their aftermath (particularly for us women of a “certain age”) were prefaced by Connie elaborating to Rosa her philosophy of parenting.  To wit, she lets her adult children live their lives, and she lives hers.  “Asi de simple”.  Clearly, she and her sister are polar opposites.  But Rosie remains convinced that she's the  one taking the High Moral Road.  (another secret she's keeping from herself.)

THE LIGHTER SIDE

Back in the pueblo del norte, Procopio and his other funeral home buddy are speculating on the expected demise of the local Padre Serafin.  He needs to die soon so the funeral home, and Procopio's funeral wreath (“coronas”) concession can finally have some business!  Otherwise, they'll be soldiering on   “con una mano  atrás y otra  delante” (without a peso to their name)  Later, the metiche female duo gloat to the chubby clothing seller (I've forgotten her name...ah, it's Luchita, thanks jlk) that she's probably lost her deal with Procopio (“se durmió el gallo”) because he's about to do land office business with those self-same funeral wreaths.  The Padre for sure is bound for heaven soon.

CUPID TAKES A PLANE RIDE

Well, sure.  We all know Cupids fly, right?  So it's only fitting that Ariche gets his plane ride with Rodrigo.  He gamely tries to get Luciana to come along—a threesome would be so nice!  But she has studying to do for her prepa exam.  And Rodrigo is already looking daggers at her because he came upon her and Linares looking friendly and assumed the worst.  She manages to throw a dagger herself, assuring Rod that yesssss, Licenciado Linares has always been very loving with her.  A Very Good Man. (Take that!  And then some....)

So, off to the friendly skies of Rodrigo's business plane. The ride goes off without incident, in spite of my worries about Ariche's “suerte”.  His stomach is up in his throat, he's giddy with nervousness, but assures Rodgrigo that he's “muy valiente” just like him.(yes, Vivi, your word did come back) And they both decide Ariche is going to be an airline captain himself when he grows up (if he works hard and really makes the effort, of course).  PSA for education and hard work.

SO WHAT DID WE LEARN TONIGHT?
1)Oscar and Connie have the same philosophy.  Oscar wants Maximino to let Rodrigo have his head. If his proposed business venture is a loss, well, it won't be a big loss.  Let him try.  Connie's philosophy with her children is the same.  Let them make their own decisions (Melissa/Linares? Aldo/Vicky?) and their own mistakes.  And learn from them.  Oscar and Connie are the Modern Caring Liberals. And clearly meant for each other.
2)Maximino and Rosalena also have the same philosophy.  Control those around you, take vengeance on those who cross you, and never ever forgive a betrayal.  They're the False Uprights, guarding their power and prestige at any cost.  And basically bitter and unhappy.
3)Julie and Gala are consummate schemers, but so far haven't been terribly successful.  Both are divorced.  Both want more money than they have, and both are endlessly envious.  And unsuccessful in relationships.
4)The barrio folks have had their ups and downs, their personal losses, and their misunderstandings.  But all of them value family above all else and are ready to forgive and start over, in order to safeguard and maintain relationships.  And work together so that all can be moderately successful, in spite of their lack of education and financial backing.
5)Luciana and Licenciado Linares are both capable of everlasting love; and both are drawn to each other (el llamado de la sangre! The call of the blood) and seem to blossom in each other's presence. Furthermore, Linares is accumulating further proof that he wasn't in the country when those criminal money transfers were made.  So another secret is on its way to reveal.
6)And Rodgrigo...well, he's still a dunce.  But there's hope, readers, there's hope!

PREVIEWS:

Rosalena is on her knees begging Rodrigo's forgiveness.  And it seems to work.  Looks like the big dinner with Rodrigo in attendance and Gala springing her plot, is going to happen. Aaaarrrgh!

DICHO OF THE DAY

A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando. (lit. Praying to God while hitting with the mallet.) fig. God helps him who helps himself.
A phrase that typlifies the work ethic of our barrio folks.  Whether it's making pottery in the pueblo, hawking clothes and baubles from China, or flogging tacos in Mexico City, the humble folks are willing to pull themselves up by their bootsraps in order to make a go of it.  They can't...and won't coast on family connections.