Hour of the Bees

The family members (except for Alta, who constantly shirks hard work) set about clearing and cleaning cupboards and drawers in the house and fixing things up around the ranch. Things are still tense and awkward between Serge and Raúl.

Meanwhile, Serge continues going about his own chores on the ranch, which mainly center around tending to the sheep. Carol wonders what he ate before they arrived, seeing no grocery bags and only a few shriveled crops.

Raúl leaves Alta and Carol to care for Serge and Lu while he goes to a local hardware store in the nearest town, instructing Carol to ensure that no one steps on the driveway because the concrete is wet. Carol is dismayed when Alta’s boyfriend arrives and she leaves with him.

Serge calls to her at the same time that Lu upends board games everywhere; caring for them both is overwhelming, especially because Serge seems confused, calling her Rosa again and calling Lu Raúl. Serge leaves the ranch house just as Lu’s diaper needs changing; Carol runs into the yard but doesn’t see Serge anywhere.