After a brutal rape, a young man falls into a dark world of sexual promiscuity, addiction and adult entertainment work. Surviving a suicide attempt, he has to find strength to change before his life spirals completely out of control and he loses the woman he loves and the possibility of a new life. 

SYNOPSIS:

Seven-year-old Jesse James is sexually assaulted. His father, Jesse James Sr., doesn’t know how to deal with his sons physical and emotional trauma. At nineteen, suppressed trauma from the event has caused Jesse to abuse marijuana, fail in school, act out and to be promiscuous. Unable to deal with Jesse’s behavior, Jesse Sr. kicks Jesse out. Jesse finds an apartment and gets a job but is fired when he can’t pass a drug test. With the threat of being evicted, Jesse turns to a neighborhood porn peddler who takes nude photos of Jesse. Jesse’s photos find their way to Margo Van Straten, the owner of a women’s club and bar, and Jesse is hired as a male stripper.

At his new job Jesse meets Lupita Aldana, the cleaning lady. Jesse has a sexual encounter with Margo when he needs extra cash and is immediately targeted by Gaffey Pelletier, Margo’s lead dancer and current sex partner. Jesse vandalizes a church, but rushes out when he sees Pastor Louis “Lou” Gossy. Jesse feels guilty and returns to help cleanup. Lou takes the opportunity to talk to Jesse and encourages him to go to college. Jesse signs up for classes and tutoring and meets Roberta “Robby” Jensen. At first Jesse is too ashamed to ask Robby out, but she is persistent and the two become a couple. Jesse hides what he does for a living from Robby. With Lou as a father figure, Lupita’s as a mother figure and after falling in love with Robby, Jesse starts to crave more from life. Jesse has nightmares because of the childhood assault which is why he abuses drugs. Lou gives him a bible verse about strength which Jesse starts to use whenever he feels overwhelmed.

Jesse tries to attend one of Robby’s recitals, but is confronted by Robby’s sister who knows what he does for a living. While Jesse is walking one night, he gets into a fight. With his face temporarily ruined, Jesse is unable to work and desperate for money. Gaffey invites Jesse to a party where he drugs him and lets multiple people have sex with him for money. In the morning, back at home and feeling hopeless, Jesse puts a gun in his mouth and is going to commit suicide. A call from Lupita interrupts him and he goes to the zoo with her where she offers him a job and a place to stay as long as he does not do drugs. Jesse finds a drug recovery and support group and, with the help of Lupita and Lou, starts to get his life together. But he is still afraid and too ashamed to confront Robby with the truth. Using the bible verse Lou gave him, he finally finds the courage to tell Robby everything. Robby takes the news with love and acceptance and Jesse and Robby become a couple again. Jesse finally reunites with his father and sister on his birthday.

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