Sonny Koufax is two years older and a little wiser now, but his life still revolves around the strange, loving world his adoptive dad, Sonny Koufax’s father—Scott “Big Daddy”—helped him shape. The story picks up with Sonny entering his late teens, navigating high school’s daily adventures and misadventures. His acting-out past has largely faded, replaced with a quirky, heartfelt acceptance of who he is, the adults in his life, and most of all, the continued influence of Big Daddy’s unconventional parenting.
High school brings new challenges: chemistry class, college prep, and making sense of Ben’s chaotic but comforting presence. Scott has mellowed—or at least tries to—as he adapts to quiet support for Sonny’s ambitions, occasionally spilling coffee or dropping pearls of wisdom about life and manhood. Their bond remains uniquely chaotic, involving impromptu living room “science experiments” and heartfelt talks about responsibility, compassion, and choosing one’s own path.
As the seasons change, Sonny dreams of striking out on his own, propelled by curiosity and a yearning for something greater. Big Daddy, sensing his son’s growing independence, feels both pride and fear—pride in how far Sonny’s come, and fear of letting go. Their relationship is tested when Sonny decides to apply to a college far away, forcing them to renegotiate what “family” looks like when distance is an added concern.
Amid late-night study sessions and shared slices of pizza, Big Daddy and Sonny face everyday chaos: a mischievous younger neighbor, a neighborly feud over a lawn, and big-hearted attempts to give back to the community. They still argue, prank each other, and disagree violently over curfews, but underneath it all is mutual respect and comedic tenderness, cementing the growth from surrogate father-son duo to genuine, chosen family.
In the emotional crescendo, Sonny gets accepted to a school far away. Big Daddy, teary-eyed yet ever boisterous, pretends he doesn’t care, teases him with goofy nicknames, then pulls out a gallon of unwanted ice cream—just like old times—before admitting how proud he is. It’s messy, unfiltered, real. They share one last goofy tradition: constructing a ridiculous, half-baked “bucket list” to tackle in the time they have left together.
As the story drifts toward its close, Sonny stands at the front door, duffel bag in hand, Big Daddy behind him—still grinning, still offering ridiculous advice about dorm room food. Sonny steps out, turning back to flash a grin. The future’s waiting, but the heart of their story stays right here in that small, worn living room full of laughter, love, and perfectly imperfect memories.
