Американские боги

           SheturnstoprettyMarieandseesherselfthroughMarie’seyes,ablack-skinnedoldwoman,herfacelined,herbonyarmhanginglimplybyherside,hereyestheeyesofonewhohasseenherchildrenfightinthetroughforfoodfromthedogs.Shesawherself,andsheknewthenforthefirsttimetherevulsionandthefeartheyoungerwomanhadforher.

           Thenshelaughed,andcrouched,andpickedupinhergoodhandablacksnakeastallasasaplingandasthickasaship’srope.

           "Here,"shesaid."Herewillbeourvoudon."

           ShedroppedtheunresistingsnakeintoabasketthatyellowMariewascarrying.

           Andthen,inthemoonlight,thesecondsightpossessedherforafinaltime,andshesawherbrotherAgasu,notthetwelve-year-oldboyshehadlastseenintheBridgetownmarketsolongago,butahugeman,baldandgrinningwithbrokenteeth,hisbacklinedwithdeepscars.Inonehandheheldamachete-knife.Hisrightarmwasbarelyastump.

           Shereachedoutherowngoodlefthand.

           "Stay,stayawhile,"shewhispered."Iwillbethere.Iwillbewithyousoon."

           AndMarieParisthoughttheoldwomanwasspeakingtoher.