In a small Mississippi town during the summer of 1970, a young boy, Stu Simmons, and his sister Lidia are trying to enjoy their summer vacation amidst the aftermath of their father’s return from the Vietnam War. Their father, Stephen, is struggling to cope with the horrors and traumas he experienced during the war, leading to difficulties in finding and maintaining a steady job, and in turn, causing financial strain and tension within the family. Despite these challenges, Stephen endeavors to teach his children valuable life lessons about love, dignity, and the importance of inner peace over engaging in conflict.

The children, seeking their own escape and adventure, find themselves in a fierce rivalry with a group of local kids over a treehouse. This conflict becomes the central focus of their summer, symbolizing a larger struggle for territory and respect. As the battle for the treehouse escalates, it reflects the broader themes of war and peace that plague their father. The children, influenced by their father's struggles and teachings, are faced with making choices that echo the complexities of adulthood and conflict. Through their adventures and the guidance of their father, they begin to learn the cost of violence and the value of resolving conflicts without resorting to aggression.