Classifieds

COVER STORY HOUSE

Durham

This lovely 200-year-old brick farmhouse is the setting for Charlotte MacLeod's mystery novel, Vane Pursuit. The home's "great beauty" comes from "perfect proportions"; the open kitchen/dining/family room, third-floor studio, new sunroom, six fireplaces, and "views of meadows and woods framed by tall windows" will capture your imagination! $225,000

MORTON REAL ESTATE

298 Maine Street Brunswick, Maine 04011-3314 (207) 729-1863

FOR SALE

This house located on a spacious lot along the

Stroudwater River and complete with Griffin's original studio is currently offered for sale. In the last four years this home has been extensively and expertly restored. Truly an excellent, old,()nkJ historical home. at $225,000. Wonderful value ... --~2IFor your personal showing call ---- I @ John Peverada First Choice Realty Home: 854-3080

Office: 207-854-8491 Out of State: 1-800-762-4429 652 Maine Street· Gorham, Maine 04038

Bridgton Diseover theeity • In~our

mailbox. Subseribe!

BRIDGTON. The former "BRIDGTON HOUSE," rebuilt after 1915. Eleven rooms plus laundry/half-bath,2 full baths, small building with 2 rooms withelectricity.Large 2-story barn also has electricity. Small onecar garageorboathouse. $169,500.

$20

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Mall Check to: Subscriptions, Portland Magazine, 578 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101 ($20Iyr., $32/2-yr, $4013-yr).

CHALMERS REALTYIB~

1111

P.O. Box 189,30 MAIN STREET, BRIDGfON, ME 04009 (207) 647-3311 • FAX (207) 647-3003

PORTLAND

.MAINE'S CITY MAGAZINE.

The Old Port - Reviews- Literary Maine - The Waterfront-Business -Arts - Fiction - Style

New Fiction By Dan Domench

onnie Garcia spent her twoweek vacation preparing herself mentally and physically for her return to her job as officemanager ofthe outpatient mental health clinic of Casco Bay Hospital. While sunbathing in Florida she read three books about office politics and dealing with difficult people and bosses from hell. She exercised religiously. And on her first day back she dressed for confidence and power as the books suggested. She wore a white linen shirtwaist dress that accented her dark tan and compact figure.Her thick black hair was cut in a fresh professional style that bared the nape of her neck. As she marched through the glass doors of the hospital she saw the reflection of a young doctor tum to watch her pass. She was ready, but why did it have to be this hard? She entered her department, crossed the waiting room, and put her hand on the door to the inner office. "Connie," Dr. Pauline Rodgers said behind her, "you left us in quite a mess."

There it is, Connie thought, the curse. She turned to face Dr. Rodgers, but Dr. Rodgers just bumped her with a thick hip and pushed by her through the door into the inner office and said, "There are memos on your desk."

Connie went into her office and read the memos and they were what she expected. Neatly typed documents on hospital letterhead written instifflegalese with repeated references to lax adherence to proper procedures and Ms. Garcia's willfulignorance ofrepeatedly stated policies and how future unstated actions must be taken to remedy the situation. Each memo had been copied and sent to the MedicalDirector and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Connie's heart moved side to side in her chest likeitwas trapped inher and wanted out. She felt ashamed and scared. This was the best job she

had ever had and she was good at it.Shehad worked her wayup from fileclerk to office manager and for eight years every supervisor she had told her she was an exceptional employee. UntilDr.Rodgers who hated her and was goingto fire her and where else would she go with only a high school education? She was nothing compared to Dr. Rodgers. Why hadn't she listened to her father? Hewas so adamant about college and she laughed him off to live the crazy life. Now he. was dead. Shewas goingto end up an old waitress like her mother. She closed her office door and called her new landlord, Tony Eroz. She wasn't sure why. They had only talked two or three times the week she moved in. Then she went on vacation. But Tony listened when she talked. And he used to be a cop. Heknewthings.

Aftera fewminutes on the phone Tony lowered his voice and said to her in his calm midwest accent, "I don't think you know what she wants. Find out and then give it to her. Buryher in it.Ihave to go."He hung up.

Connie had Thai shrimp soup for lunch at May's Place downtown and when she returned there was another memo in her mailbox. Dr. Rodgers spent her lunch hour writing it. In the future all office managers would have vacations limited to December and limited to one week at a time because the present office manager has created such unacceptable chaos. What chaos?' Three full-time therapists and six interns and the scheduling was perfect. Shehad almost caught up with the paperwork in less than a day.

The billing was only two days behind.

Connie went back into her office and locked the door. She sat at her desk and covered her face in her hands. She was crying when someone lightly knocked at the door. She c'omposed herself and opened it.Itwas Tony Eroz, paint stains splattered from the top of his Red Sox baseball cap to his white Nikes.But he still looked clean somehow. Nicestrong arms coming out ofhis T-shirt. And he had those deep blue eyes with laugh lines at the edges and that slow smile.

Tony stepped into her officeand closed the door behind him. "Isaw the good Doctor," he said. "She's a largewoman. Sheenjoys her food." "I've never seen her enjoy anything," Connie said.

Tony said, "Ibet you've brought lunches in.You've eaten in front of her."

She frowned and said, "What difference does that make?"The liltin her voice on "difference"was Mexican and Tony smiled with pleasure.

I- FICTION -I

"I sure like your voice," Tony said. "Onmy Uncle's ranch in Idaho one fall a young coyote came around. Smart little shit. He had a taste for blood and started tearing up lambs. Killedone of our dogs. One day I tracked that killer for twenty miles and he beat me. My Uncle finally asked me what I asked you. Course it's easier to know what a coyote wants. But givingalwaystakes effort.Iwas up at dawn every morning for thirty days and rode three miles to lay out tallow for him. The hands thought I was crazy. Thought I should poison the coyote. Butpoison might've killed our own dogs or worse. Ifedthe coyote two hundred pounds ofyellow dairy cow fat in a month. Then I went out with my rifle one evening and he appeared on a ridge above the sheep herd. Looked right at me. Stupid and fat and confused. I could've shot him, but I knew I didn't have to. Acouple of nights later he came down into the herd and one ofthe dogs got him." "I'm not catching this," Connie said. ."Course this probably doesn't have anything to do with food," Tony said. "Food is just the obvious thing. And there are some things a person can't give, shouldn't give. But anyone can inspire an appetite. People who go around hurting other people are either holding back too much or givingin too much. Out of control either way. Makingsomeone hungry might work as well as feeding them. You'll figure it out." Tony left.

That night Connie dreamed of a hot summer dusk in Fresno, California.Ofa fiestashe used to goto on the streets around SaintMary's Cathedral. In the dream people called her Consuela, not -Connie. Her father was there and he smiled at her. She heard accordion music and brass horns and the air was fullof sweet and salty

We currently have over 20 paintings by Charles Woodbury available. including several from the estate of the artist. Our Current Catalogue - AMERICAN PAINTING IN THEFIRSTHALF OF THE20TH CENTURYisavailable for $5 (ME residents add .30)

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I- FICTION -I

smells.

From this dream she knew what to do. In the morning in the inner office she cleared a space near the coffee machine and laid out a tray of warm baclava dripping with honey. She brought in Chinese food for lunch and invited all the therapists and interns. Dr. Rodgers issued a memo banning such nonsense, but Connie persisted. The next day for lunch she brought in homemade shredded beef enchiladas and chicken fajitas and a pot of red rice.

Lunch was Connie's festival every day and everyone on the floor was welcome to taste it. She brought more than enough. Her hot lunches filled the department with lingering aroma. Roasted chicken was especially redolent and brought in nurses from two floors above. Lasagna was another popular choice. Connie asked Dr. Rodgers daily if she was hungry and she answered sharply and never took a bite. Her memos grew increasingly strident and emotional. Many of her patients reacted to the smells and aroused by their memories of food told Dr. Rodgers elaborate stories about eating and cooking.

Connie organized Friday pot-luck dinners at the Church across the street and invited everyone on staff. Anywhere from fiftyto eighty people showed up carrying in pots and casseroles. The medical director was dragged in one evening by two interns and became a regular. He especially favored Connie's beef tips in red wine.

After two months of this, Dr. Rodgers left Casco Bay Hospital to start a private practice. Connie gave a party in her apartment-a going-away party for Dr. Rodgers who was not invited. At the end of the evening she asked Tony Eroz what he wanted and he told her. Funny thing. It was what Connie wanted too. •

Look out to sea Sti.amthe ialInn

KENNEBUNK BEACH, MAINE

One ofKennebunk's early beachfront ~est houses, the Sundial Inn isnow a premier bed & breakfast. Operating since 1891, the Sundial recalls an era of seashore living when this part of the Maine Coast firstbecame a resort destination.

Close to Dock Square shops and perfectly Renovations to ensure your comfort and enjoyment situated for a dtiy at the beach, t1Ie have been meticulously crafted in the Victorian Sundial Inn will charm your spirit all year long. Ideal for special weekend getaways (off-season packages available). style-and today, original antique the Sundial charm and Inn continues to ambience. Each reflect room its is appointed with Victorian furnishings and designer linens.Roomsalsohave their own bath, ~ air conditioning and phone. Allfloorsare accessibleby elevator,and a sprinkler system has been installed throughout the entire building for your safety and peace of mind. And to get each day started, a hearty continental breakfast is served in our dining room overlooking the ocean. ABBA .••..••..••..••. ------------openyear-round------------

ADDt\ 'e:tP' PO Box 1147,Kennebunk Beach, (207)967-3850 ME 04043 AllMajor Credit Cards Accepted