Mikey gets scared of his fathers power and control issues. He tries to shield his younger siblings and their mother. They all spend time in domestic violence shelters, and a restraining order seems to solve the problem. However, the aggression escalates, and eventually, the family flees farther. The new life he forges in Alaska proves to be the setting for him to figure out some of his old puzzles, including settling into a relationship with Jesus while becoming the man of the house at his coming of age.