The Murmur of Bees

In a daze, Beatriz leaves the funeral arrangements to her mother and daughters. She receives those who express condolences, though their words and embraces make no impression. Agonized, she wonders whether her son is alive or dead and, if he’s alive, whether he’s with Francisco.

Simonopio and Francisco Junior remain in the wilderness for 48 hours, waiting for a search party. Simonopio can’t hear his bees and is unsure whether the coyote is still alive. He gives the unconscious Francisco honey and water and covers his injuries. He finally hears the sound of the search party, led by Francisco’s uncle, Emilio.

Beatriz is the only one who doesn’t cry at Francisco’s funeral. She has shut out the pain. For years, she’ll remain unable to discuss what happened. The daughters care for all the legal details. Beatriz hears that workers have come for the cart, and she waits beside Reja. When the cart arrives, she sees neither Simonopio nor Francisco on the bench seat and assumes Francisco is dead.