Following the death of her husband, 10-year-old Paul's mother Mel comes to rely on an old friend, Lenny, who is also a pimp and dealer. Soon Paul must take care of both his mother and his younger brother. When Mel's friend and fellow user dies, Paul must confront the fear that has been gathering in the pit of his stomach: having lost his father, his mother too may abandon him. Even with his limitations as a child, he takes action to stop this from happening.