Американские боги

           Helookedathiswet,blackhairandthedarkgrayeyeswhichlookedbackmistrustfullyfromthemirrorathim,lookedatthemarksonhiscoffee-coloredskin.

           Andthen,asifsomeoneelsewereholdinghishand,heraisedthestraightrazor,placedit,bladeopen,againsthisthroat.

           Itwouldbeawayout,hethought.Aneasywayout.Andifthere’sanyonewho’dsimplytakeitintheirstride,who’djustcleanupthemessandgetonwiththings,it’sthetwoguyssittingdownstairsatthekitchentabledrinkingtheirbeer.Nomoreworries.NomoreLaura.Nomoremysteriesandconspiracies.Nomorebaddreams.Justpeaceandquietandrestforever.Onecleanslash,eartoear.That’sallit’lltake.

           Hestoodtherewiththerazoragainsthisthroat.Atinysmudgeofbloodcamefromtheplacewherethebladetouchedtheskin.Hehadnotevennoticedacut.See,hetoldhimself,andhecouldalmosthearthewordsbeingwhisperedinhisear.It’spainless.Toosharptohurt.I’llbegonebeforeIknowit.

           Thenthedoortothebathroomswungopen,justafewinches,enoughforthelittlebrowncattoputherheadaroundthedoorframeand"Mrr?"upathim,curiously.

           "Hey,"hesaidtothecat."IthoughtIlockedthatdoor."

           Heclosedthecut-throatrazor,putitdownonthesideofthesink,dabbedathistinycutwithatoiletpaperswab.Thenhewrappedatowelaroundhiswaistandwentintothebedroomnextdoor.