Melissa Danworth stepped off the E train at 8th Ave, on her way to work. Her mind was lost in a fantasy.

She saw a homeless man -- the same man she had seen for the past seven work days. Melissa wondered how he had ended up here, and where he was going. She decided to spare some change.

"Here you go, sir," said Ms. Danworth.

"Hmph," answered the homeless man. "Thanks, Melissa."

"Your wel ... What? How did you...."

"Let's talk."

"I ... I don't have time."

"Are you afraid?"

"No...."

"You can't live alone forever."

Melissa walked up to the homeless man -- incensed, frustrated, and intrigued. "How do you know my name?"

"Perhaps you should be asking, 'Where is this leading?' I may have something useful for you, if you're interested."

"I can't believe this," answered Melissa.



The homeless man and Melissa sat on a bench at the Subway station, near a newspaper stand. 

"My name is Dace Senoit. I am here to help you."

"How did you end up here? And why me?"

"One question at a time. First, I am here because of you. Why you? Because you have something inside of your mind that you need to remember."

"What's that?" asked Melissa.

"A dream."

"Oh."

"Tell me, does the year 1963 mean anything to you?"

It certainly did. It was the year her father was born -- The man who was never there when she was growing.

"You realize you should forgive your father," said Dace.

"For what? Leaving me? I needed a father when I was a kid, and he wasn't there."

"There's more to this, and you know it."

"I know I'm talking to a homeless person about problems you have no right to know. I can't believe this. I've got to get going."

"Alright, but before you go, you must to consider two things: First of all, whether you care to admit it or not, you're unhappy. Second, the cure for your unhappiness is within you."

"The cure."

"Yes. You remember: the fields, and the stars."

"Yes, I..."

Melissa recalled a vivid dream: she was walking through a field of tulips with her father. The were holding hands and reminiscing. 

There was a windmill in the distance. The two walked towards it. Inside, they found her mother, peddling on a bike that was attached to the Windmill. The mill did not work without her peddling. She was responsible for keeping things running. 

Melissa offered to help her mother, to give her a break from peddling, but she refused. Melissa couldn't understand this. Didn't she see that she needed help?

The roof blew away, and a starry night sky was revealed. She looked up and saw a smile in the stars. She remembered thinking what a wonderful family this should be.

She looked back down, and her mother was gone. Her father was on the ground, unmoving. She thought he might be dead ... did my mother kill him? She was lifted off her feet, and blown into the starry sky. She flew, free from the bonds of gravity.



"Now you see," said Dace.

"It wasn't my father's fault."

"Yes, but there's more. As you ponder the dream, you will know what to do."

"I... okay."

"Well ... good luck to you."

"I don't know if I should thank you, or be scared."

"Both," Dace laughed.



Later that day, Melissa realized what else the dream had meant ... and she was even more afraid.

The smiling face in the sky represented herself. In the dream, she was happy with what was revealed. She did not doubt or second guess the lessons learned from the dream. Melissa did not replay in her mind what had happened to her mother and father. No -- She merely accepted her circumstances, and was set free.

So, the key was not to think too much -- the key was to make a decision, and stick with it. You see, Melissa had truly believed her father was a decent man. However, out of respect for her mother, she had concocted an infinite number of scenarios to help her believe the lies her mother spread about her father. Now, for the first time, Melissa did not have to depend on her imagination to protect her from the truth. Melissa was ready to take on the challenge of confronting her mother's lies.


***


Part II

Melissa was leaving the train station at 52nd and Grand Ave. The Realtor was watching her.

Melissa was feeling great. Today had been the perfect day.

She decided to go eat at her favorite Italian place -- Freddie's. It was small and quaint.

She sat at her table, and her waiter approached.

"Here is your menu. Would you like anything to drink?"

"Um, just water. Thanks."

"Coming right up." The waiter smiled and walked away. He returned a short time later with the water, and a note.

"Here is your water."

"Thanks."

"The gentleman at the bar wanted me to give you this," the waiter pointed to the man. The man at the bar waved.

"Really?" Melissa was intrigued. She read the note. "No. I'm not buyin'. Tell him thanks, but no thanks."

"Very well, madam."

The waiter walked over and spoke with the man at the bar. After a few moments of conversation, the waiter left, and the man approached Melissa.

"So, you didn't like my note."

"Listen, there's no need to pursue this. I'm just not interested tonight, okay?"

"Maybe another night?"

"Probably not."

"Listen. I am rich. I can give you whatever you want. You could quit your job, and pursue whatever your heart desires. Reading, writing, music, travel ... whatever. I can give it to you, right now. All you have to do is come with me."

"How do I know you're rich..."

The man showed Melissa the inside of his wallet: There were several 100 dollar bills.

"So? Maybe you came by this money illegally..."

"I can assure you I am an honest business man. The question is, are you willing to take a leap of faith? Or are you going to sit there, dwelling on dark possibilities?"

"You know, you're the second person today who's tried to read my mind. I'm beginning to think there's something going on here..."

Melissa looks around, half-expecting to see the Dream Seeker, but he wasn't there.

"The choice is yours, my dear. I'll be at the bar."

Melissa sat there, stunned. She didn't know what to do. The waiter approached.

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"I'm sorry. If you're not ready to order, I'll give you more time."

"No, no. I apologize. I'm just... shook up, that's all. It's been a strange day."

"I bet it has. We all have them. Perhaps you should try today's special: the Red Snapper. It's awfully good."

"Alright. I'll give it try."

"Good. And perhaps... never mind."

"What?"

"Well," the waiter leaned forward, "I know that gentleman. He's all that he says he is. Rich, honest ... a good citizen. If he's taken a liking to you, I would take advantage of it -- if I were you."

Melissa sighed. What could it hurt, she thought. Don't think, just try it out. "Alright. Tell him he can come over here. If he can convince me he's worth my time over dinner ... then we'll see. He's getting one chance...."

"Of course, madam. I'll send him right over," The waiter smiled, and turned towards the man.

As Melissa and the man from the bar talked, the waiter was on the phone, talking with his investors. "We've got a sale here, gentleman ... No, no. Her stock won't rise too quickly after this ... A bull market can still happen, if we keep having days like today ... hey, don't worry! I'm the Realtor! That's what I do -- buy and sell realities!"