Georgie returns home to Alexandria, Virginia after he is discharged from Iraq. He immediately goes to see Lanae, an ex-girlfriend with whom he’s still close. Georgie knows Lanae is now seeing a man named Kenny. When he arrives at Lanae’s house, Kenny is just leaving. Lanae’s daughter Esther runs out to see Georgie. Though he is not Esther’s father, the two share a close bond that Georgie hopes will show Lanae she should be with him. Georgie offers to watch Esther when Lanae’s babysitter cancels and soon he begins to watch Esther regularly. Georgie developed PTSD after he witnessed the death of two children in Iraq, and Georgie's mother becomes concerned that Georgie's time with Esther will trigger him. Georgie recounts the way the two young girls whom he befriended and later found murdered continually haunted him and eventually caused him to unravel. After he threatened other soldiers, he was discharged. Georgie takes Esther to a nail salon called Glitter Girl. He and Esther pretend that he’s her father when a young manicurist asks. The woman is impressed by Georgie’s time in the army. Before they leave the salon, Esther sees a flyer for a local show by Mindy, a popular young performer. Esther expresses interest, but knows the ticket is too expensive. Back at Lanae’s house, Lanae and Kenny come home and find the flyer. Lanae and Kenny both agree Mindy seems like nonsense and Esther can’t go. Georgie tells Kenny it’s only because Kenny can’t afford it, which offends Kenny. Georgie leaves. The following weekend, Georgie returns to Glitter Girl and pretends to buy something for Esther in order to see the manicurist again. She tells him about Glitter Girl's current contest. The winner gets tickets to see Mindy. To enter, Esther would have to video tape herself and explain why she wants to go. In secret, Georgie films Esther, who explains on camera that she wants to see Mindy with her father, who has just served overseas. They win the contest. When reporters start to call, Georgie is able to maintain the lie until he and Esther secure the tickets at a public Glitter Girl event. Soon, reporters arrive at Lanae’s house and expose the fact Georgie is not Esther’s father. Georgie goes to Lanae’s house to apologize, but she won’t let him inside. After she closes the door, he doesn’t know where to go.