Американские боги

           Sowhatwouldyoulikemetosay?"

           "Somethingtoreassureme,atthispoint.IsuddenlyhavethatohshitI’minthewrongcarwithacrazymanfeeling."

           "Yeah,"hesaid."I’vehadthatone.Whatwouldyoufindreassuring?"

           "Justtellmeyou’renotanescapedconvictoramassmurdererorsomething."

           Hethoughtforamoment."Youknow,I’mreallynot."

           "Youhadtothinkaboutitthough,didn’tyou?"

           "Donemytime.Neverkilledanybody."

           "Oh."

           Theyenteredasmalltown,litupbystreetlightsandblinkingChristmasdecorations,andShadowglancedtohisright.Thegirlhadatangleofshortdarkhairandafacethatwasbothattractiveand,hedecided,faintlymannish:herfeaturesmighthavebeenchiseledoutofrock.Shewaslookingathim."Whatwereyouinprisonfor?"

           "Ihurtacoupleofpeoplerealbad.Igotangry."

           "Didtheydeserveit?"

           Shadowthoughtforamoment."Ithoughtsoatthetime."

           "Wouldyoudoitagain?"

           "Hell,no.Ilostthreeyearsofmylifeinthere."

           "Mm.YougotIndianbloodinyou?"

           "NotthatIknowof."

           "Youlookedlikeit,wasall."

           "Sorrytodisappointyou."

           "S’okay.Youhungry?"

           Shadownodded.