After his parents embark on a long trip, a young boy is left at home with Mrs. Spence, an elderly house-sitter who gives him rides and feeds him her home-cooked meals. The boy tries to push her away, but often accepts her rides and allows her to listen to his piano practice from a different room.

The boy has also recently gotten a new piano teacher named Mr. Nichols. The first lesson with him is promising — Mr. Nichols says that he will challenge the boy with a beautiful Schubert piece. But, over time, the lessons start to become uncomfortable, as Mr. Nichols finds moments to touch the boy, if not sexually, then still inappropriately. On one of these occasions, Mrs. Spence is outside the room and sees this happen. She tells the boy's parents, and when they return, they ask him about the incident. He denies her story, but when he sees Mrs. Spence again, he decides to call and tell Mr. Nichols that he won't need to receive piano lessons any longer. The boy practices piano without a teacher present. Mrs. Spence listens from the next room over and gives him space to be alone with his music.