7Christmas Eve, 1944. The Leopoldville is a ship taking American soldiers across the English Channel to fight the Nazis. Aboard are George and Hog, ready for battle on the French shorelines. George misses the love of his life waiting for him in St. Louis, but the golden locket she gave him provides hope he'll see her again. January, 2021. Cole is a seventh grader struggling in school ever since his dad left a few years ago. Abby, the new girl in school, decides they're going to become friends no matter what. Together, they go on a journey teaching us about friendship, empathy, and the key to unlocking happiness in difficult times.