Американские боги

           "Hey,"hesaidtothecat."Ididshutthatdoor.IknowIshutthatdoor."Shelookedathim,interested.Hereyesweredarkyellow,thecolorofamber.Thenshejumpeddownfromthesill,ontothebed,whereshewrappedherselfintoacurloffurandwentbacktosleep,acircleofcatupontheoldcounterpane.

           Shadowleftthebedroomdooropen,sothecatcouldleaveandtheroomairalittle,andhewalkeddownstairs.Thestairscreakedandgrumbledashewalkeddownthem,protestinghisweight,asiftheyjustwantedtobeleftinpeace.

           "Damnyoulookgood,"saidJacquel.Hewaswaitingatthebottomofthestairs,andwasnowhimselfdressedinablacksuit,similartoShadow’s."Youeverdrivenahearse?"

           "No."

           "Firsttimeforeverything,then,"saidJacquel."It’sparkedoutfront."

           Anoldwomanhaddied.HernamehadbeenLilaGoodchild.AtMr.Jacquel’sdirection,Shadowcarriedthefoldedaluminumgurneyupthenarrowstairstoherbedroomandunfoldeditnexttoherbed.Hetookoutatranslucentblueplasticbodybag,laiditnexttothedeadwomanonthebed,andunzippeditopen.Sheworeapinknightgownandaquiltedrobe.Shadowliftedherandwrappedher,fragileandalmostweightless,inablanket,andplaceditontothebag.Hezippedthebagshutandputitonthegurney.WhileShadowdidthis,Jacqueltalkedtoaveryoldmanwhohad,whenshewasalive,beenmarriedtoLilaGoodchild.