Skipped Parts

Caspar Callahan, Lydia's powerful father who is running for governor, does not want Lydia and Sam in his political life. As a result, they are banished from North Carolina. They hit the road and travel across the country, eventually settling in Wyoming.

Lydia and Sam settle in Gro Vont, Wyoming, where Lydia pursues a carefree lifestyle and avoids traditional maternal roles. Sam discovers he is far ahead of his peers academically, reading when most others do not. Lydia resents being called 'mom' and resists family obligations.

Sam learns he is one of only two students at Gro Vont High School who read. The other reader is Maurey, a girl around his age who wants to learn about sex and explore new ideas. Their mutual curiosity for life brings them into an unusual connection.

Following their budding connection, Maurey discovers she is pregnant. Her father permanently kicks her out, and Sam quietly offers comfort and support during this turbulent moment. The two teens begin confronting very adult consequences far sooner than expected.

Maurey decides to pursue an abortion and travels to a distant hospital for the procedure. In a twist of fate, she runs into her mother and the baseball coach, who are also there for the same reason, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

After the upheaval with her family, Maurey moves in with Lydia and Sam, joining their makeshift household. The dynamic shifts as she becomes part of their lives and the trio navigates new family boundaries.

Hank Elkrunner, a Blackfoot man, falls for Lydia, complicating the family dynamic. Lydia's dictatorial father keeps track of their movements from afar, adding pressure to the evolving relationships.

Maurey and Sam share tea and discuss how romance works, reflecting on their feelings and what the future might hold. The conversation deepens their understanding of love and responsibility.

In a quiet, private moment, Maurey and Sam grow closer, and their relationship deepens. They share an intimate experience that challenges their boundaries and highlights the complexity of growing up.

Maurey decides not to have the abortion and chooses to keep the baby, naming the child Shannon. The decision solidifies new family ties and responsibilities for everyone involved.

Lydia faces a financial threat if she stays with Hank and allows Sam to attend military school. She ultimately chooses to stay with Hank and takes a job at the local diner, embracing a steadier life.

Hank sells his trailer and moves in with Sam, Lydia, Maurey, and Shannon. The new arrangement marks the start of a blended family that plans to stay together.

The film concludes with Sam finishing the flashback for the story, with Shannon nearby, suggesting the tale is a remembered memory shaped by his perspective. The frame underscores how the past informs the present.

Throughout the film, Sam experiences dream fantasies in which Drew Barrymore appears as the object of his desires. These dreams float through the narrative, coloring his perceptions and emotions.