This is Kate's story. From age five to adult, from intellectual exposures to a violent experience, from longing to love. Kate's reactions to the experiences of her life reveal a constantly curious multi-faceted character -- capable of both animated silliness and reasoned seriousness. Perceived as an enigmatic outsider by those afflicted by their doubts and desires, Kate seeks and finds the purity of a kindred soul and delights in the warmth of an abiding and loving friendship. Creating her own set of rules, she affects the lives of such diverse personalities as a teenage boy, a Chicago policeman and a religiously focused charity worker. And, while so involved, she satisfies her often unsated energy by being in a passionate and life-changing relationship. This is Kate Winters' story, her emotional and intellectual responses to life's experiences, a story full of living and learning, of sadness and hope.