Since his mother died two years ago, Vernon feels he is getting less and less attention from his father. Feeling lost and having trouble with his schoolwork, Vernon joins his friends in making fun of the neighborhood alcoholic Maxine and her retarded son, Ronald, but comes to their defense when the social service tries to take Ronald away. Through his friendship with Maxine and Ronald, Vernon sees the intense love a mother can have for her son, and is finally able to come to terms with his own loss.