I drew back n looked around, but there was only East Head, dark n wet with that spray that travels in the air on windy days. There wasn’t a soul in sight. I stood there awhile longer, lookin at the way the clouds ran across the sky—I like to watch em, they’re so high n free n silent as they go their courses up there—and then I turned away n started back home. I had to stop n rest two or three times on the way, because that long time sittin in the damp air at the bottom of the steps put an awful misery in my back. But I made it. When I got back to the house I took three asp’rin, got into my car, n drove straight here.
And that’s it.
Nancy, I see you’ve piled up purt-near a dozen of those little tiny tapes, n your cunning little recorder must be just about wore out. So’m I, but I come here to have my say, and I’ve had it—every damn word of it, and every word is true. You do what you need to do to me, Andy; I’ve done my part, n I feel at peace with myself. That’s all that matters, I guess; that, n knowin exactly who you are. I know who I am: Dolores Claiborne, two months shy of my sixty-sixth birthday, registered Democrat, lifelong resident of Little Tall Island.
I guess I want to say two more things, Nancy, before you hit the STOP button on that rig of yours. In the end, it’s the bitches of the world who abide… and as for the dust bunnies: frig ya!
Scrapbook
From the Ellsworth American, November 6, 1992 (p. 1):
Dolores Claiborne of Little Tall Island, long-time companion of Mrs. Vera Donovan, also of Little Tall, was absolved of any blame in the death of Mrs. Donovan at a special coroner’s inquest held in Machias yesterday. The purpose of the inquest was to determine if Mrs. Donovan had suffered “wrongful death,” meaning death as the result of neglect or criminal act. Speculation concerning Miss Claiborne’s role in the death of her employer was fueled by the fact that Mrs. Donovan, who was reputedly senile at the time of her death, left her companion and housekeeper the bulk of her estate. Some sources estimate the worth of the estate to be in excess of ten million dollars.
From the Boston Globe, November 20, 1992 (p. 1):
The stunned directors of The New England Home for Little Wanderers announced at a hastily called press conference late this afternoon that Christmas is coming a little early for the hundred-and-fifty-year-old orphanage this year, thanks to a thirty-million-dollar bequest from an anonymous donor.
“We received word of this amazing donation from Alan Greenbush, a reputable New York attorney and certified public accountant,” said a visibly flustered Brandon Jaegger, head of the N.E.H.L.W.’s board of directors. “It appears to be completely on the level, but the person behind this contribution—the guardian angel behind it, I should perhaps say—is completely serious about his or her anonymity. It almost goes without saying that all of us associated with the Home are overjoyed. ”
If the multi-million-dollar donation proves out, the Little Wanderers’ windfall would be the largest single charitable contribution to such a Massachusetts institution since 1938, when…
From The Weekly Tide, December 14, 1992 (p. 16):
Mrs. Lottie McCandless won the Christmas Cover-All at Friday Night Beano in Jonesport last week—the prize totaled $240, and that’s a lot of Christmas presents! Nosy Nettie is soooo jealous! Seriously, congratulations, Lottie!
John Caron’s brother, Philo, came down from Derry to help John caulk his boat, the Deepstar, while it was at drydock. There is nothing like a little “brotherly love” in this blessed season, is there, boys?
Jolene Aubuchon, who lives with her granddaughter, Patricia, finished a 2000-piece jigsaw puzzle of Mt. St. Helens last Thursday. Jolene says that she’s going to celebrate her 90th birthday next year by doing a 5000-piece puzzle of the Sistine Chapel. Hurrah, Jolene! Nosy Nettie and all at the Tide like your style!
Dolores Claiborne will be shopping for one extra this week! She knew her son Joe—“Mr. Democrat”—was coming home with his family from his toils in Augusta for an “island Christmas,” but now she says that her daughter, famous mag-first visit in over twenty years! Dolores says she feels “very blessed.” When Nosy asked if they would be discussing Selena’s latest “think-piece” in the Atlantic Monthly, Dolores would only smile and say, “We’ll find lots to talk about, I’m sure.”
From the Early Recovery Dept., Nosy hears that Vincent Bragg, who broke his arm playing football last October…
October 1989-February 1992
Frighteningly behind on your reading?
Get caught up in STEPHEN KING’S blockbuster
On a warm weekday October, in the lovely summer home of Gerald and Jessie Burlingame, a game is about to begin. It’s a game to be played between husband and wife, and a game that has Jessie being innocently handcuffed to the bed-posts. Then, in one horrible, violent act, Gerald is dead and Jessie, well, she’s alone and still chained to the bed.
But Jessie’s about to have company: all of her worst nightmares.
Welcome back to Castle Rock, Maine… for the last time. Seems a new store has opened up, Needful Things, and it’s definitely somewhere you have never been. Whatever your heart’s desire, it’s now for sale just across the street at that nice shop. And even though every item carries a nerve-shattering price, the owner is always ready to strike a deal.
Evil is on a shopping spree and out to scare you witless.
Imagine, if you dare: you are strapped to an airline seat on a flight beyond hell; you are forced into a hunt for the most horrifying secret a small town ever hid; you are trapped in the demonic depths of a writer’s worst nightmare; you are focusing in on a beast bent on shredding your sanity.
Imagine, if you dare: you are in the hands of Stephen King at his mind-blowing best. Imagine no more.
America has been destroyed by a vast killer plague. With the countryside destroyed, great cities decimated, the population desperately, but futilely, seeks safety. But for those few remaining survivors, their greatest challenge still awaits: defeating a far greater evil.
Here is Stephen King’s most terrifying vision, now available in its complete, uncut version.