Jackson Hurd (Jack) and his parents meet with Mrs. Stroud from the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Jack’s parents are preparing to foster a 14-year-old boy who recently attacked a teacher at a juvenile corrections home. The boy, named Joseph, was on drugs at the time. After explaining Joseph’s list of dislikes, Mrs. Stroud tells Jack that Joseph has a daughter who is three months old whom Joseph has never seen. Despite the extreme nature of Joseph’s life, Mr. and Mrs. Hurd agree to foster him.

Mrs. Stroud drops Joseph off at the Hurd farm a few days later. Immediately after Joseph unloads his belongings in the room he will share with Jack, Mr. Hurd asks Joseph to watch Jack do his farm chores so he can be prepared to help the following day. The chores include milking the family cows, Rosie and Dahlia. Though Joseph declines to help upon meeting the cows for the first time, he does form a quick connection with Rosie. The next morning, he attempts to milk her with coaching from Mr. Hurd. Joseph is successful until Rosie kicks her bucket over, startling Joseph.