Американские боги

           Thenumbersonthemeterincrease.

           "Areyougoingtokillme?"asksSalim.

           Thetaxidriver’slipsarepressedtogether.Salimwatcheshisfaceinthedriver’smirror.

           "No,"saysthedriver.

           Thecarstopsagain.Therainpattersontheroof.

           Salimbeginstospeak."Mygrandmothersworethatshehadseenanifrit,orperhapsamarid,lateoneevening,ontheedgeofthedesert.Wetoldherthatitwasjustasandstorm,alittlewind,butshesaidno,shesawitsface,anditseyes,likeyours,wereburningflames."

           Thedriversmiles,buthiseyesarehiddenbehindtheblackplasticglasses,andSalimcannottellwhetherthereisanyhumorinthatsmileornot."Thegrandmotherscameheretoo,"hesays.

           "AretheremanyjinninNewYork?"asksSalim.

           "No.Notmanyofus."

           "Therearetheangels,andtherearemen,whoAllahmadefrommud,andthentherearethepeopleofthefire,thejinn,"saysSalim.

           "Peopleknownothingaboutmypeoplehere,"saysthedriver."Theythinkwegrantwishes.IfIcouldgrantwishesdoyouthinkIwouldbedrivingacab?"

           "Idonotunderstand."

           Thetaxidriverseemsgloomy.Salimwatcheshisfaceinthemirrorashespeaks,staringattheifrit’sdarklips.

           "Theybelievethatwegrantwishes.