Американские боги

           Hehadkissedhergoodnightthatnight,andshehadtastedlikestrawberrydaiquiris,andhehadneverwantedtokissanyoneelseagain.

           Awomanannouncedthathisplanewasboarding,andShadow’srowwasthefirsttobecalled.Hewasintheveryback,anemptyseatbesidehim.Therainpatteredcontinuallyagainstthesideoftheplane:heimaginedsmallchildrentossingdowndriedpeasbythehandfulfromtheskies.

           Astheplanetookoffhefellasleep.

           Shadowwasinadarkplace,andthethingstaringathimworeabuffalo’shead,rankandfurrywithhugeweteyes.Itsbodywasaman’sbody,oiledandslick.

           "Changesarecoming,"saidthebuffalowithoutmovingitslips."Therearecertaindecisionsthatwillhavetobemade."

           Firelightflickeredfromwetcavewalls.

           "WhereamI?"Shadowasked.

           "Intheearthandundertheearth,"saidthebuffaloman."Youarewheretheforgottenwait."Hiseyeswereliquidblackmarbles,andhisvoicewasarumblefrombeneaththeworld.Hesmelledlikewetcow."Believe,"saidtherumblingvoice."Ifyouaretosurvive,youmustbelieve."

           "Believewhat?"askedShadow."WhatshouldIbelieve?"

           HestaredatShadow,thebuffaloman,andhedrewhimselfuphuge,andhiseyesfilledwithfire.Heopenedhisspit-fleckedbuffalomouthanditwasredinsidewiththeflamesthatburnedinsidehim,undertheearth.

           "Everything,"roaredthebuffaloman.

           Theworldtippedandspun,andShadowwasontheplaneoncemore;butthetippingcontinued.Inthefrontoftheplaneawomanscreamedhalfheartedly.