Американские боги

           DoyouhaveanypictureID?"

           Shadowshowedherhisdriver’slicense.

           Itwasnotabigairport,butthenumberofpeoplewandering,justwandering,amazedhim.Hewatchedpeopleputdownbagscasually,observedwalletsstuffedintobackpockets,sawpursesputdown,unwatched,underchairs.Thatwaswhenherealizedhewasnolongerinprison.

           Thirtyminutestowaituntilboarding.Shadowboughtasliceofpizzaandburnedhisliponthehotcheese.Hetookhischangeandwenttothephones.CalledRobbieattheMuscleFarm,butthemachinepickedup.

           "HeyRobbie,"saidShadow."TheytellmethatLaura’sdead.Theyletmeoutearly.I’mcominghome."

           Then,becausepeopledomakemistakes,he’dseenithappen,hecalledhome,andlistenedtoLaura’svoice.

           "Hi,"shesaid."I’mnothereorIcan’tcometothephone.LeaveamessageandI’llgetbacktoyou.Andhaveagoodday."

           Shadowcouldn’tbringhimselftoleaveamessage.

           Hesatinaplasticchairbythegate,andheldhisbagsotighthehurthishand.

           HewasthinkingaboutthefirsttimehehadeverseenLaura.Hehadn’tevenknownhernamethen.ShewasAudreyBurton’sfriend.HehadbeensittingwithRobbieinaboothatChi-Chi’swhenLaurahadwalkedinapaceorsobehindAudrey,andShadowhadfoundhimselfstaring.Shehadlong,chestnuthairandeyessoblueShadowmistakenlythoughtshewaswearingtintedcontactlenses.Shehadorderedastrawberrydaiquiri,andinsistedthatShadowtasteit,andlaugheddelightedlywhenhedid.

           Lauralovedpeopletotastewhatshetasted.