Long Shot

After practice, August talks with his teammates in the locker room. He feels defensive when Iris’s name comes up. The other players insist that she used Caleb for his money and to get pregnant. August argues otherwise.

Afterward, August and Iris meet up. Iris thanks August for the raise and explains her insecurities about money. She tells him about how Caleb used his generosity against her. Then, they profess their love for each other.

On Thanksgiving, Iris attends the Waves-versus-Stingers game with Sarai and August’s mother, Susan. Iris feels nervous to see Caleb again and worries that he’ll do something to hurt August. She also feels uncomfortable because she knows how others see her and what they think about her and Caleb’s relationship. August catches her eye from the court and blows her a kiss. Caleb notices and looks angry. Susan engages Iris in conversation about her and August’s dynamic. She wants the best for August and hopes that Iris will be ready to commit to a life with him.

After the game, Caleb corners Iris, Sarai, and Susan in the parking garage. Iris tells Susan to leave with Sarai. Afterward, Caleb threatens Iris, insisting that she can’t get away from him. August appears and shepherds her away, further upsetting Caleb. Once they’re alone, Iris promises that she’ll tell August everything soon.

August takes Iris to a hotel for the night. Lotus and Sarai stay in a room down the hall. Iris feels happy but hesitant. Eventually, she relaxes, and they kiss and have sex. Then, they lie awake talking. She alludes to Caleb’s abuse, admitting that she would daydream about August when she felt trapped and alone. August says that he used to do the same. August suggests that they get married, but Iris admits that she isn’t ready. August assures her that it’s okay.

Deck tracks down August to give him an envelope that came to the office. Someone released photos of Iris depicting her injuries from Caleb’s abuse. Deck reveals that Caleb “raped her pretty brutally” and abused her throughout their relationship (387). A horrified August is prepared to hurt Caleb. Deck warns August not to be rash, as he could jeopardize Iris, Sarai, and himself. August realizes that Deck is right and that Iris must need him now.

August calls Iris to tell her about the photos. Iris is mortified, but August assures her that he isn’t upset with her and wants to protect her. He heard that every “major news station” has the file and urges her to return to Louisiana for her own safety (393). Iris guesses that Andrew distributed the photos to get back at Caleb for something.

On the way to the airport with Sarai, Iris calls Lotus. She encourages Iris and reminds her of how much support she has.

Shortly after returning to Louisiana, Caleb shows up, and Iris tries to protect Sarai from him. He insists that he has no protection now that Andrew released the photos, publicizing his violence against Iris. He no longer cares about their agreement and promises to take Iris and Sarai back. He wields a gun, shooting Iris. Iris fights back to protect herself and Sarai. She obtains the gun and shoots his leg, and they continue wrestling. Finally, the gun fires again.

August races to Louisiana. At Iris’s house, he is horrified to find her and Caleb lying in a pool of blood. He finds Sarai hiding in the back room. He insists that Iris needs an ambulance, but she protests. She shot Caleb and wants him to die before they call the paramedics. They wait for him to breathe his last breath before calling for help for Iris. She falls unconscious.

Iris watches a Lakers game alone while August puts Sarai to bed. She and August have been together for some time and have created a life together. Since Caleb’s death, Iris has opened up about and told her story publicly. She was initially hesitant, but she decided to speak out when she realized that many other women are in the same situation she was in with Caleb.

August emerges from Sarai’s room and joins Iris. The two retreat to their bedroom. They lie in bed, holding each other and talking. They have sex, and afterward, August tells Iris how strong and powerful she is. They profess their love and have sex again.

August and Iris get up, eat pizza, and talk about the future. August reiterates his desire to marry Iris and adopt Sarai. They profess their love again and agree that they both want a family and more kids.

August and Iris are engaged and living together. One night after August puts Sarai to bed, he and Iris have sex. August reflects on their relationship and his love for Iris; he still can’t believe that they’re together. Before falling asleep, August asks Iris about the adoption papers. He wants to formalize Sarai’s adoption before their wedding, but Iris says that there’s been a delay.

“Iris”

On her wedding day, Iris repeats healing mantras to herself. She reflects on her life over the recent years and how much she has changed. Then, when she walks down the aisle, she meditates on her deep love for August. They say their vows, and Iris surprises August by giving him the adoption papers at the altar. The preacher pronounces them husband and wife, and they kiss. Iris looks up to see how happy August and Sarai look.