Summary

Chapter 11 opens with Aubrey and the family discussing how to get Iris to Oberlin. They decide against a road trip, as it is too much time for young Melody in the car. Aubrey is wondering why Iris is leaving him, saying that "they had made something...a family" (124). While Po'Boy and Sabe do not inquire, Aubrey constantly asks why she chose Oberlin, why she wanted to be so far away. Iris told Aubrey that she loved him, and Aubrey silently realizes that she has "a strange power" over him (125). He knows that Iris hates that he found happiness in just a job and a family. Iris decided to fly to Oberlin, and Aubrey says how when she left Melody cried "like the world was breaking" (126).

During her freshman year, Iris called Aubrey to tell him about the dream about his mother. While Iris...