Summary

In "Hybrid Vigor," the narrative shifts into the future. Reney is a young woman living with her husband Wes on his ranch. Her favorite animal is her mule, Rosalee. She and Wes have been trying to have children. Reney keeps having miscarriages. All of the animals on the hogs and calves keep dying too. Reney blames the coyotes. Wes does not approve of Reney's attachment to the mule. Then one day, Rosalee starts hurting the calves. Wes is upset.

Reney never thought she would stay in Bonita, never thought she would end up like Justine, "responsible for holding together a household that most days she'd just as soon burn" (121). In the morning, Wes is ornery, scolding Reney about the ranch. When he comes home later, Reney is frantic: Rosalee is missing. When he finds her, he threatens to...