lask1946

@@@@@"I wonder how much Elizabeth herself remembers?" "These days she doesn't even remember her own name," I said Mary gave me another look, then turned from the window, got her ashtray, and put out her cigarette "Alzheimer's? I'd heard rumors "I'm goddam sorry to hear itI got the more lurid details of the Dave Davis story from her, you knowI used to see her all the time, on the circuitAnd I interviewed most of the artists who stayed at Salmon PointOnly you call it something else, don't you?" "Big Pink"I knew it was something cute "How many artists stayed there?" "LotsThey came to lecture in Sarasota or Venice, and perhaps to paint for awhile - although those who stayed at Salmon Point did precious little of thatFor most of Elizabeth's guests, their time 615 on Duma Key amounted to little more than a free vacation "She provided the place gratis?" "Oh, yes," she said, smiling rather ironically "The Sarasota Arts Council paid the honoraria for their lectures, and Elizabeth usually provided the lodging - Big Pink, n?e Salmon PointBut you didn't get that deal, did you? Perhaps next time Especially since you actually work thereI could name half a dozen artists who stayed in your house and never so much as wet a brush She marched to the sofa, lifted her glass, and had a sip "Elizabeth has a Dal? sketch that was done at Big Pink," I said"That I saw with my own eyes Mary's eyes gleamedDal? loved it there, but not even he stayed long although before he left, the son of a bitch goosed meDo you know what Elizabeth told me after he left?" I shook my headOf course I didn't, but I wanted to hea