A Plane Tree in Provence

Through a serendipitous chain of events, five women from the coastal town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, take a life-changing holiday to France. Four women of forty and one matron of sixty-one use the trip as a means of escape leaving stress and problems behind. WENDY HOLCOMB, travel agent and leader of the group had hoped to take the trip with only one friend. Instead, she is plunged into a series of adventures and conflicts with four other women. Bound to make the best of the situation, she rents a farmhouse in southern France, and the group begins their journey. But Wendy’s friendship skills need work, and her critical judgmental attitude almost ruins the trip. PENNY WILSON, owner of a needlework shop, lives a robotic life, frenzied by order and perfection. Her predictable life is interrupted on the way to the airport when she discovers her husband and a strange woman driving in the opposite lane. Although traumatized with shock, she elects to keep the discovery from the others. Workaholic VERNIE ORLANDER, the executive director of the Portland Symphony, is so consumed with the comfort level of board members, musicians, and family, she has no time for women friends. Will she change her priorities to gain lasting friendships? Widow ROSE PATTERSON, the oldest in the group, has let depression destroy her once vibrant life and spends her days in bed. Although she has raised five children, her life until now was controlled by a husband who dictated her every move. She is afraid to live independently and make decisions. Famed artist SARAH STANLEY struggles in a faltering marriage and lives without structure, schedules, or responsibilities. Her days are spent in solitude at the beach lacking outside activities or friends. It’s an empty life, which she is desperate to change but doesn’t know how. The weeks are filled with adventures from the historical world of Van Gogh and Cezanne to a balloon ride, a spiritual cleansing at a Roman Spa, and a generous portion of French wine and food. Each day concludes with cocktails and spirited conversations as the group gather around the large plane tree at the farmhouse. Conflict emerges with Wendy’s constant critical attacks aimed at Rose, whom she feels is too old for the group. Shock and resentment riddles the group when Sarah, crazed by lustful passion, surrenders to an affair with the grounds keeper. Emotions intensify as Penny blurts out she suspects her husband is having a relationship with another woman and knows what it feels like to be the wounded party. Squabbles ensue as Wendy, Vernie, and Penny blast Sarah’s behavior. Rose provides the needed calm to force each to lend support and talk out problems instead of being negative and hostile. As the weeks pass, Wendy’s preconceived opinions are replaced with acceptance, Rose’s depression lifts, and the group develops a bond as they discuss their problems and goals. By the end of the trip, each will return home a different person, recharged to explore hidden dreams, but most of all, realizing the true value of women friends.