" SHE'S GOT a TICKET to RIDE"

This is the story of a woman who needs to go forward by apparently viewing her past in an active sense of renewed commitment. This is made possible by her recent financial windfall. Janine Greenway feels that her touch has been helped by the yoga exercise rites introduced by her neighbor and friend, Desire, who revels in New Age challenges. Out of this experience, Janine gains a window of touching through time to see things, herself, anew. The time is Fall, 1991.
This whole process begins her journey outward, having seen within. As a reward to Desire, they plan going to Paris to drink in real life and then on to a health spa in North Carolina that promises to indulge yourself as their reason for being.
But here, Janine's journey begins by not imparting the source for her new wealth to her husband and family, thinking that this would misdirect them: she has an idea that will draw each of them closer together.
Moving in this web of secrecy is made possible by making a deal with her former parish priest, who is not in good standing with the church and one if its parishioners, Victor , who has ties to the Chicago Outfit.
The trip abroad opens everyone's eyes: the friend and neighbor that she thought she knew, now unveils her party-hard sense. The two woman clash over values; after a heated, defining argument, Janine defends herself, then spends the day hanging out with a Greenpeace-like group, who she offers financial assistance. Her American roots are watered on meeting a man involved with the relief effort for displaced children from the war in Bosnia, for whom Janine offers her help. Through this outreaching, her very soul is now open, a wondrous energy pours into each step as she tastes her freedom there in Paris.
But awaiting her at the hotel, the concierge has messages from home - and not least of which another problem with Desire. In Janine's absence, Desire allowed two men that they had met the day before, to enter the room; in so doing, Janine's bank check that she had for the environmental group, is suddenly missing. They get by the emotion and anxiety as Janine hatches a design to reclaim the money.
Through this, the women are alright with each other again. Now, they agree on another day in Paris before returning to the US - but now, Janine wants to attend a personal assessment retreat, while Desire seeks to avail herself to a health spa in North Carolina.
They try to accomplish both, and they each really see how the other handles themselves. Through an airline mishap, they split up in New York, where they would connect with the flight to Carolina; Janine wants to visit friends in the city, while Desire can not wait to slip into self-indulgence. Unspoken, but clearly stated, they realize that each runs on separate paths. Once in Manhattan, Janine feels the well of freedom, her independence now asserting itself. Her sense of destiny pushes her onward, as she desperately tries to hold home and her own life together in a meaningful way.
Here, in an awkward encounter with a woman, who may have seen her change purse lifted while coming out of the train station -- Janine suspects that she could have been part of the operation to take a good amount of her money - actually tries helping Janine. But this is soon dispelled in learning that Beth is truly self-employed as a call girl, with no strings in the very least. They become tentative friends.
Shortly thereafter, Janine has the awesome idea of taking her whole career knowledge as an Investment Analyst and put it to work in the form of an investment newsletter that would be free - for a time - then sold by subscription. She would make the same recommendations that she would at her job - yet now, reaping the benefits of her own hard work. Her friend becomes her protege, beginning a new career as well.
They fail miserably, not realizing the vast world that they now must enter as unknowns. Yet soon they encounter a refreshing, enigmatic young African American innovator in
Dennis, a born entrepreneur. He begins as a partner, marketing their letter to ' key decision makers', with the zeal of a hip-hop producer, full of savvy and natural networking ability. Things accelerate, congeal and grow like a desert plant.
While this venture gathers energy, a sinister turn of events runs like a cold wind, for now Desire, having most of Janine's luggage, including her planner with all numbers and contacts safely kept between its covers. Here, Desire connects the people in Janine's deal, each entry having the same color ink.
The drive now is for Janine to return home, with the newsletter launched. But unbeknownst to her, Desire initiates a plan to control Janine's deal, make more for herself, under the guise of protecting her friend -- but this is a complete sell out. Desire uses her influence to have Janine cut off from her return home; she has her held in the old neighborhood, where she is kept under the control of Desire's old boy friend. But Janine struggles to become completely free.
By the end of the story, we view Janine as one who truly has come full circle, realizing that you can impact the lives of others by your choices and commitments. More important, she realizes that the best dreams are of your own design. So that we understand her life in the context of a meaning far removed from her original role as an Investment Analyst/mom/wife - and friend to those needing some help ... her life is seen, this when her husband narrates the essence of what her life means, when back in the battlefields of Bosnia, Janine is reported missing. He has this suspended moment, in which he recounts the accomplishments that she has made:
"It'd take me back to that afternoon some thirty years before: we'd be told his motorcade from Midway Airport would soon pass by our street on Garfield Blvd. And people from every direction streamed to stand four and five deep, some children on parent's shoulders. A clamor of many funneled into a hailing cheer of acclamation and hearty hope. He would be very well tanned for May, I thought, appearing rather judgmental for my age. I found myself waving too, without knowing why. Really why. And I will always see old Mr. Sheehy on his brick porch, standing there, attempting to see what he could not, this man who could wonder why things were not, only to ask why not?, waving and smiling back; the old guy's white cane with its red tip held up in respect for what we'd share."