Американские боги

           Shadowopenedhiseyes,and,groggily,satup.Hewasfreezing,andtheskyoutsidethecarwasthedeepluminescentpurplethatdividestheduskfromthenight.

           Tap.Tap.Someonesaid,"Hey,mister,"andShadowturnedhishead.Thesomeonewasstandingbesidethecar,nomorethanadarkershapeagainstthedarklingsky.Shadowreachedoutahandandcrankeddownthewindowafewinches.Hemadeseveralwaking-upnoises,andthenhesaid,"Hi."

           "Youallright?Yousick?Youbeendrinking?"Thevoicewashigh—awoman’soraboy’s.

           "I’mfine,"saidShadow."Holdon."Heopenedthedoor,andgotout,stretchinghisachinglimbsandneckashedidso.Thenherubbedhishandstogether,togetthebloodcirculatingandtowarmthemup.

           "Whoa.You’reprettybig."

           "That’swhattheytellme,"saidShadow."Whoareyou?"

           "I’mSam,"saidthevoice.

           "BoySamorgirlSam?"

           "Girl-Sam.IusedtobeSammiwithani,andI’ddoasmileyfaceoverthei,butthenIgotcompletelysickofitbecauselikeabsolutelyeverybodywasdoingit,soIstopped."

           "Okay,girl-Sam.Yougooverthere,andlookoutattheroad."

           "Why?Areyouacrazedkillerorsomething?"

           "No,"saidShadow,"IneedtotakealeakandI’dlikejustthesmallestamountofprivacy."

           "Oh.Right.Okay.