When a member of a close-knit group of small-town friends known as the "ButterCream Gang" returns home from a year in Chicago after falling under the influence of a violent street gang, his friends struggle to understand the reason behind his sudden personality change in this tale of friendship and unconditional love. In the quiet community of Elk Ridge, Scott, Pete, Eldon, and Lanny are inseparable. Though Pete's friends are saddened to learn that their friend will be moving to Chicago for the school year, their friendship is challenged when Pete returns from the city a very different person. As Pete struggles to come to grips with his past and the world outside of Elk Ridge, his friends learn an important lesson in friendship and forgiveness.