When the word "Potential" gets dropped at her parent-teacher conference, precocious fourth-grader Jessie knows her day is ruined. But she has no idea how bad it can really get. Although she gallantly tries to hold on to her feelings--and preserve her life in the process--she is unable to cope. Her abusive father and clueless mother drive Jessie toward school for solace. But a friend she makes reacts badly when Jessie spurns her inappropriate advance. Just when her father is acting human, her grandfather appears with his own brand of abuse. One Hell chases her into the next until she makes the only decision left to her to make.