A single dad takes his four-year-old, Chloe, to his new girlfriend Lily’s apartment for dinner. Midway through the evening, Chloe appears pale and shaking, begging to leave. Outside, she whispers that there are “real heads” in Lily’s closet and refuses to go back.
He rushes Chloe to Grandma’s, then returns to Lily’s place to check. Opening the closet, he finds the “heads” are rubber Halloween masks. Relieved but guilty, he admits to Lily that he snooped because Chloe was terrified.
Lily understands and comes up with a plan to help. The next day at Grandma’s, she gently shows Chloe a silly mask, lets her touch it, squeeze it, and even wear it, turning fear into curiosity and giggles.
With the fear gone, Chloe warms to Lily. Months later at the park, she tugs Lily’s hand toward the swings and calls her “Mommy Lily,” sealing the bond the scare had nearly undone.
