After Nicole's mother passes away, she must help her grandmother take care for her little sister, Nancy. While her father is still around, he spends most of his time looking for the bottom of a bottle. When things begin to overwhelm her, a small creature introducing himself as a Brownie befriends Nicole and assists around the house. Unfortunately, things begin to unravel and Nicole must make a decision between protecting her sister or her newfound friendship.

As her father unravels, drowning in pity, Nicole finds courage at the end of fear - courage to face her father's descent into apathy, courage to protect her sister and grandmother no matter what the cost, and courage to put those she loves before herself.