Three Wishes

In the present day, Tom Holman struggles with financial problems and emotional distance from his family. While driving with his wife and two daughters, he nearly hits a man walking into a cemetery, and the incident triggers a vivid flashback to his own boyhood.

In 1955, Jean Holman is a single mother raising Tom and Gunny while their soldier husband is missing in action from the Korean War. Tom deeply misses his father and feels left out of traditional father-son activities in the community.

Jean accidentally hits a drifter named Jack McCloud with her car, breaking his leg. Feeling sorry for him, she invites Jack and his dog Betty Jane to stay at their home until he heals.

Jack's presence gradually endears him to the family, who come to love him as part of their unit. He starts teaching Tom baseball and builds a strong bond with both Tom and Gunny.

Gunny believes there is more to Jack and Betty Jane than meets the eye and resolves to uncover their secrets. This curiosity drives much of Gunny's actions and foreshadows the magical twists to come.

Gunny discovers that Betty Jane is not just a dog but a genie, introducing a magical element into the family’s life. The revelation reshapes how they see their visitor and his place in their home.

Coach Schramka identifies Jack as a former famous baseball player who disappeared during World War II, though Jack denies the claim. This confrontation adds mystery about Jack’s true history.

As Jack's bond with the family deepens, Tom begins to see him as a surrogate father. Yet Phil views Jack as a threat to his relationship with Jean, creating tension in the household.

After healing, Jack decides to move away, leaving Tom feeling abandoned for a second time. The family experiences heartache as they grapple with his departure.

Tom chases after Jack on his bike, first heading to a hill and then racing toward the highway to catch him before he leaves. The moment underscores Tom's longing for father-figures and closure.

During the 4th of July celebration, Gunny's wish to fly during the fireworks comes true in a magical moment. Tom’s own wish also seems to come true when his long-lost father is discovered alive and returned home after being freed from imprisonment by the People's Republic of China.

In the present day, Tom visits the cemetery and encounters Jack again for a brief, reflective conversation. Jack reveals that his real wish was for Tom to be happy with the family he has rather than to resurrect his father.

Jack vanishes after the conversation, leaving Tom to embrace his renewed happiness with his wife. A headstone then reveals that Jack McCloud died on August 6, 1944, giving a bittersweet closure to the mystery.