Emily's dad is in the military and sometimes he has to leave for months at a time. Emily knows her dad's job is important, but she doesn't want him to leave! Her dad tells her how he copes with his sadness, and he even makes her a paper chain to count down the days of his trip.

Still, Emily is very sad when he leaves. But as each day goes by, it begins to get a little bit easier. Her mom is there to help, and with each link Emily takes down from the paper chain, she is one day closer to her dad's return. When she makes a friend whose dad has also shipped out, she realizes that she is not the only one who feels the way she does. They count down the days together and celebrate their fathers' return.