"We never thought to help Rogue, Sissy! The thought never occurred to us that she could possibly like that guy. Maybe that's why she slapped, shook, and yelled at Chachi. We always thought that was just because she was so tired of her screaming just like everyone else, and of her saying that she was afraid of other people, since she wouldn't get close to anyone. Chachi, Chachi, Chachi! Actually, I think Maru congratulated Rogue on that. I know we wouldn't have dared to. Or Maru, either."Ma.Xiomara was saying after Sissy told them about getting Rogue and Scott together.

"However, we could probably convince her to notice someone else. We like Rogue okay, but not Scott at all. I wouldn't wish that guy on my worse enemy!"

"That would just be a waste of our time, I don't think she would. Ella parece ser mujer de un solo amor, kind of like Carreen, in Gone with the Wind. And besides, we're experts at getting pairing people. We've seen all the tricks. De algo nos tuvo que servir, no? Ver tanta telenovela."

They laughed.

"Only how are we going to do it this time?"

"Que el Anteojos sufra una desilusion muy grande."

"Yes, but the problem is, how?"

"I think I know who should do that. You see, that Pietro will do just about anything to please us. The good thing about him is, he's just like el Perico. He doesn't have money, but he's willing to do anything to keep us happy, just like el Perico is willing to do anything to please Piedad. I should be the one to do that. From now on, he will be my own 'project'."

They agreed that Ma.Xamila should handle Pietro.

"And I should handle the everything else, you know, talking to Rogue, keeping an eye on things."said Ma.Xacinta.

"I should do anything apart?"Ma.Ximena said.

"But then there's the problem with Jean. How is that going to work out?"

"Oh, um, by...well, she doesn't actually have to pay attention to him, she just has to look like she enjoys all the attentions, which, obviously, she will, because it's only natural. Everybody likes to feel important."

"You sound like you've thought all this out."said Sissy.

"We have, Sissy. Don't you worry. Before you know it, our nieces will have the happiest nurse on the face of this earth. Now that we think about it, though, other people could also help us. Like Mother, you know she dismissed Teresa because her grandfather was ill, and she said that since no one could do anything about her grandpa, she might as well take care of him. She only wants nurses with no problems for them. That way, they do a better job. Something like that, she said."

"What a good idea. We should get started right away. Time stands still for no one, and every second that goes by is precious, because you're never, ever, ever, going to get it back. Even if you do, it's not the same anymore, of course."

The next morning, Ma.Xamila put her hat on, and walked outside, to talk to Pietro. They decided that her sisters shouldn't accompany her, that she should go alone. She walked around the fields, the chozas, the stables, thinking, now, if I were an overseer, where would I be? She was glad when she found him. She picked up her long skirt, and ran toward him, holding on to her hat with one hand.

"Pietro! I've been looking everywhere for you."

Great, her brother probably wants to talk to me, he thought, but remembering his plans, he put on a smile.

"Now, you shouldn't be out here, in the sun. You might get burned. You should've asked someone else to come look for me, and I would've been more than happy to come. This is no place for a lady. What would your mother say?"

She smiled.

"My mother won't say anything. I've been out here, plenty of times. It's true, it is no place for a lady, but, what are we going to do about it?"she shrugged. "We'll just have to deal with it, won't we?"

"I guess so."

"And anyway, it would be faster if I came myself. I've never fancied having other people do things for me. They take so long, and sometimes they just don't do it right. I prefer to get things done and over with as soon as possible myself. I wanted to talk to you. To ask you a favor. A really, really big favor."

"A favor? Me? Do you a favor? Anything. Just name it."

"Good. You should do your best to get Jean Grey's attention."

"What?!"

"You should do your best to get Jean Grey's attention."

"I don't get it."

"Don't worry. You'll be more than willing to when you find out why. You see, it all really is to hurt Scott. I don't know if you've noticed, but we've always noticed that he is quite fond of her. Oh, you don't have someone who might get jealous, do you? I could probably talk to them. I'm sure they'd understand."

"Oh, no, no, don't worry. I see what you mean. And I'll be more than happy to do it for you."

"That is great! You really are quite a gentleman. Not anyone would do such a thing. It was quite a stain, just thinking about whom I should go to, should you refuse!"

"Well, then, you came to the right person, to me."

"That's right. You're so considerate! I knew my mother was right, in praising you. After all, you offered to take over the job, after they fired Benigno. I should go now. I have to visit someone. Bye."

Things were going even better than he planned! He thought that he would be forced to think of something drastic, since he couldn't put up with much more of this. But now, he thought that maybe things would go faster. He just hoped he wouldn't have to court Jean for too long. That would be a disaster, but it would keep them happy, and that was what he was after.

"So, Roguey, you know, you believe what I saw just this morning."Ma.Xacinta was saying Rogue, as she sat in her father's favorite rocking chair.

"What?"

Ma.Xacinta just shook her head.

"I always knew Scott was an idiot, I just never knew he was that big an idiot."

"What do you mean?"

"What do you think I mean? You see, he may be blind, but I know I'm not. You see, I know, that for a fact, he likes Jean. You should know, she just absolutely loves Pietro. You can see it. They look quite fond of each other. Maybe those shades prevent him from seeing things the way they really are. Maybe we should get him a good optometrist to check him out. That might not be a bad idea."

"Jean and Pietro?"

"Yes. I'm surprised you didn't know. Everybody knows. Sissy told us, you see, she said that he's actually proposed to her, once or twice. But they pretend not to notice each other, because if they do, then people might get in the way, you know. This way, they don't suspect anything, and they can just be left alone."

"Oh."

Poor Scott. If what Ma.Xacinta was saying was true, that would mean Jean was just playing with him. She couldn't allow that. That would be so heartless. She had to do something. Maybe she should warn Scott. She wondered if he knew.

"I'll be right back."she told Ma.Xacinta, handing Ana Patricia to her.

"Where are you going?"

"I just forgot to do something."she said, and ran to find Scott.

"You see, Patty, noble one. Things will work our perfectly. I promise, and I've never lied to you before, have I? And we never will? Me or the other Ma.s. Remember that. We're not people. We don't lie, and cheat. We're honest, we're pure, we always do what's right. Even if that means making a sacrifice. As if tricking Scott is a sacrifice, but well, she cares about him, so, we'll just have to be nice to him, Patty."

Ma.Xamila was giving Pietro orders, as to exactly how he should court Jean.

"You see, we already have the serenata ready. The only problem is that we need to take your measurements, you see. Your outfit should be ready in no time. Now, the only problem is, what songs should be sung? They usually do La Media Vuelta, but, no, Tatuajes? Maracas? Well, don't worry, we'll take care of that when we get to it. Right now, you just have to follow my instructions carefully. Remember, one mistake could ruin the whole thing. I'll worry about the flowers, pay for the jewelry, you get the idea, you just have to remember to act like a perfect gentleman. Or, no, we'll start out with a secret admirer. Then the serenata. Yes, I think I like the secret admirer better."

"Whatever you say."

Rogue found Scott.

"You know that Pietro is courting Jean?"she asked.

"That's not true."

"I wouldn't be telling you if I wasn't sure, Scott. I got the information from a very reliable source, you know."

"What source?"

"Well, she didn't say it to me directly, but Sissy."

"Sissy?"

"Yes."

"Which means you got it from the decuplets."

"They wouldn't lie. You know it. They may be, well, weird, and unusual sometimes, but they would never lie. They were the ones, after all, who stopped Lance from splitting you skull, when you argued with him. They are very good girls. They wouldn't lie. Besides, I'm telling you this so you know. Come to think of it, who was so worried and upset when Pietro took over the overseer's job? It would make perfect sense, you know."

Scott couldn't argue that. Jean was very upset when she learned that Pietro would be out in the hot sun all day, asking why he should do that task.

"You see, Scott. Jean is actually, just, well, her and Pietro."

Scott just nodded, and walked out of the room. She felt sorry for him. He must be feeling terrible. If only there was something she could do to cheer him up.

"You see, Cuzzy,"Ma.Ximena. "If only there was someway to help Rogue control her powers, that would be wonderful."

"Why are you so interested all of a sudden?"asked Arthur.

"Well, you know us. Once we're finished with something, it isn't long before we're working on something new. And right now that something is Rogue. You should be able to figure something out."

"Me? Well, me? You guys, didn't I come here to enjoy myself, not to be working?"

"But you've never minded working."

"No, I haven't."His face lit up. "And come to think of it. It could be fun."

Ma.Ximena ran to hug him.

"Scott should know by now."Ma.Xacinta was telling her sisters, in the octuplets' room. "You see, she ran away as soon as I told her. To warn him, no doubt. By the way, you know, those flowers ought to arrive any second now. Right about now."

As soon as Ma.Xacinta had finished her sentence, they heard the doorbell ring. They ran out of the room, each carrying one of the girls, except Ma.Xochilt, and Ma.Xiomara, with Sissy riding on Ma.Xiomara's shoulders, and the dogs barking, as they trailed behind them.

"Flores para la Señorita Jean Grey."said the man at the door, saying Jean's name with difficulty.

"Estan hermosas!"Ma.Xiomara explained. "Aren't they, Sissy?"

Sissy agreed.

"For Jean?"Kitty asked, surprised. "But who would send her flowers?"

"Don't you think we want to know, too."

Everyone had gathered in the front hall, as there were hardly any visitors. Lance was annoyed, surely the one who had send those flowers was Summers. He would not allow Summers to court anybody, at least not while under his roof. He wanted him to be as miserable as possible.

"Well what are you doing?"Francisca asked Jean, annoyed. "Waiting for it to grow? Open it and see what it says. Otherwise, we'll never find out whom they're from."

Jean opened the envelope.

"Eres la mujer mas linda del mundo. No, que del mundo, de la tierra. De quien tu sabes?"Jean read aloud.

"How beautiful. We never knew you had a secret admirer we never knew about. Oh, well, we wouldn't know, would we?"

Scott was standing speechless. Even though Jean said she didn't know whom they were from, this would mean that Rogue was saying the truth. Jean really didn't want anyone to know. She was pretending to have a secret admirer. He looked at Rogue, who was looking at Jean with loathing.