Gabe Novalee seeks to put his broken life together, but fate doesn't seem to be on his side. The chain restaurant where he's been employed for two years closes suddenly on Christmas Eve, right before his long-estranged sons are set to arrive for a brief two-day visit. Although he's struggled to right the wrongs committed in earlier years, Gabe finds himself without work, without money, and most of all without faith in himself and those around him. What he fears most is how his two young sons, now being raised in the finest suburb of Atlanta, will respond to him, his tiny apartment on the wrong side of town, and his apparent lack of success in the world. What could possibly happen at this late date that would mend their relationship?