A broken drainpipe left Aunt Maki's home unlivable, so she came to stay with us for a while. I was an unemployed shut-in who barely left my room, but seeing her again and being treated with the same warmth and concern she had always shown slowly began to change me. Still, determination alone could not undo all those years away from society. When I became discouraged, Maki asked, “You want some confidence, don't you?” and kissed me. With her gently guiding me, the pleasure was so intense that I lost myself and kept craving more.