Act 1
Once upon a time, Ian Donaldson was a soldier in the U.S. Army, but before that, he was a child who dreamed of being a soldier, to represent and protect the country he loved, and as soon as he was able, he enlisted in the army.

Every day serving was a day he lived out his dream, whether standing among his fellow soldiers, running through the woods or other drills and training, he was filled with joy.

Until one day, when he suddenly lost all he dreamed of and more. That day started out differently because as he was talking with his friend Miguel, a fellow soldier, Miguel had asked Ian about his plans after they finished their tour.

This caught Ian by surprise, because while Miguel had plans to marry his girlfriend, and have little "niños" running around everywhere, Ian didn't have any plans. His whole life to this point, Ian had only planned on being a soldier and had never thought beyond that.

This weighed heavily on Ian's mind, but they were deployed on a mission and unknown to them it would be their last. Someone detonated an improvised explosive device and Miguel was killed instantly, but Ian awoke much later in the army hospital only to discover he had lost the lower left part of his leg, his friend and fellow soldier, Miguel, and everything he dreamed of to this point in his life.

Act 2
Because of that, he wanders unattached to avoid further losses. He leaves the hospital to a small apartment, that he never makes a home because he can't get past his losses. He visits Miguel's burial place, seeking his friend's help. He returns to his apartment, finding out he's being evicted as he's struggled to find motivation, let alone work.

Because of that, he is sad and frustrated, unable to escape his memories. His belongings have been placed in trash bags, amongst garbage and look to be rummaged through already. He grabs his backpack and sleeping bag, a couple clothing items and leaves. For years, Ian wanders in search of a place to escape his losses but is unable to find refuge.

Then, one night, while sleeping at a bus stop, he is startled awake from the memory of where his losses began. It's morning now and he walks off to another location, there's an alley that might work as a new 'home base'. He gets coffee and sits in the alley in a daze as people pass back and forth.

A small child, Gabriel, and his dad go to store near the alley. Gabriel's dad is speaking with the market owner and Gabriel is waving his small American flag that he got to celebrate the 4th of July. Gabriel is waving it back and forth and humming the Star-Spangled Banner. This catches Ian's attention, and he turns and smiles at the small boy and says, "Nice flag! I have one too, here on my jacket." as he turns and points to his shoulder to show Gabriel.

Gabriel and Ian engage in a short conversation and Gabriel hears of some of Ian's loss and is reminded of never being able to know his grandfather, because he died before Gabriel was born. Gabriel’s dad is startled to realize that Gabriel is not right next to him and turns to see him speaking with Ian in the alley. Embarrassed, he quickly collects Gabriel, and they make their way home.

At their home, Gabriel's dad suggests that Gabriel color, while Gabriel's parents get a meal ready to eat before they go out to enjoy the fireworks display. Gabriel then eats with his parents and Ian is also having a sandwich and then decides to lay down, unmotivated to do anything else right now. While Ian is trying to rest, he is startled by the prank of some passing teenagers and appears to reach his limit with his patience and searching.

He abruptly leaves, leaving his backpack and sleeping bag in the alley. It's starting to get dark now, so Gabriel and his parents are now walking back toward the park near the market to watch the fireworks. As they begin to near the market, Gabriel pleads with his daddy that they need to stop, so he can give what he made to the soldier in the alley. Gabriel's mom is a little puzzled, his dad a little embarrassed and wants to brush it off, but Gabriel says he must give it to him, he made it for him.
His parents take him towards the alley, and they notice the belongings, but don't see Ian. As they are about to turn toward the park, Ian returns, surprised to see them.
Act 3
Until finally, Ian regains something dear, like something he had lost.
Returning from the train tracks, Ian approaches the alley, seeing Gabriel and his family looking into the alley. Gabriel’s family turns and are surprised to see Ian and said they were just looking for him. Surprised, Ian stops and asks, “You were looking for me?”
“Yes, our son Gabriel said he had something for you.” Ian politely moves by them and takes a seat on the milk crate, and asks Gabriel, “You have something for me?” Gabriel approaches him, pulling a paper from his backpack and then hands the paper to Ian. As Ian stares at the paper, he’s emotional, and he turns to Gabriel’s parents and asks if they told him to make it.
Gabriel’s parents shake their heads “no” and look confused. Ian hands them the paper and they look at it and cover their mouths. Gabriel’s parents then hand Ian back the paper. Ian stares at the picture and asks Gabriel why he made it. Gabriel says his grandpa got one when he was hurt. “I thought you should have one too, Mister Soldier, because you were hurt too.” Ian says “Thank you, Gabriel, I had one before, but lost it, like I have lost so many other things. This is beautiful and just like it.”
Ian looks at Gabriel. Then, Ian reaches inside his neckline and says, “I have something for you,” and pulls out a dog tag and gives it to Gabriel. This has my name on it, I’ll keep one and you can have the other one, to remember me with. “Call me Ian.”
Gabriel says, “I’d never forget you, Mister Ian.” Gabriel then asks Ian what he wants to be, now? (Ian quickly flashes back to his conversation with Miguel). Ian sighs, I had a friend that asked me a question like that before and I didn’t know how to answer it, then, because I had never thought about it, so…
First, I think I’ll just be Ian, since I can’t be a soldier anymore. I’ll have to think about it more and work from there. Gabriel says, “I don’t understand, don’t you have any other dreams?” Ian smiles and adds that maybe Gabriel should become a heart doctor, because he’s good at working on hearts.
Gabriel’s parents softly ask Ian if he’d like to watch the fireworks with them, and Ian says he’d like the company, but he may have trouble with the explosions, sometimes he gets scared and a bit jumpy. “It’s okay, sometimes they scare me too and, Mommy or Daddy will hold my hand. I can hold, yours,” and sets his hand on Ian’s. Ian then says, “Then, I’d love to.” While watching the fireworks, Ian jumps a bit and looks at Gabriel as Gabriel holds his hand.
And ever since then, Ian has new plans. He sees the shopkeeper at Pop’s Shop and asks about the Help Wanted sign. ‘Pop’ is a bit skeptical, but Ian duct tapes a broom and dustpan to his crutches and Pop is impressed and brings him in the store, hiring him on the spot. He shows him the register and Ian has no troubles with it. Ian greets Gabriel outside the store and Gabriel notices that Ian appears to have two full legs now.
Ian lets Gabriel know that he helped him know what he wants to be now, “an action figure” Gabriel blushes as Ian points to him, crediting him with helping him. He also says that just working for Pop, but Pop is going to let him stay in the apartment above the store too.

The moral of the story is: Whatever you may have lost in the past, only compounds, the longer you refuse to move forward.