Ben Harrison, a thirty year old associate professor and bachelor, has only himself to care for. Ever since his father died, when he was a teen, Ben has been unable to break through a shield that prevents him from getting close to others. Presently he spends his days teaching a summer course entitled "Video Arts" and spends his nights playing poker and entertaining his lady friend of the moment. Terra Jansen is a nine year old girl who lives on the wrong side of the tracks with her father, Frank. Following his wife`s death, Frank has been making ends meet by salvaging odds and ends, while Terra takes care of him at home. One morning, after dropping Terra at school, Frank collides with Ben`s car. At the hospital, Ben sees Frank go into cardiac arrest and die. As Ben is released, he palms a locket belonging to Terra that was found on her father.