Американские боги

           Orrather,Jacquellistenedwhiletheoldmantalked.AsShadowhadzippedMrs.Goodchildawaytheoldmanhadbeenexplaininghowungratefulhischildrenhadbeen,andgrandchildrentoo,thoughthatwasn’ttheirfault,thatwastheirparents’,theappledidn’tfallfarfromthetree,andhethoughthe’draisedthembetterthanthat.

           ShadowandJacquelwheeledtheloadedgurneytothenarrowflightofstairs.Theoldmanfollowedthem,stilltalking,mostlyaboutmoney,andgreed,andingratitude.Heworebedroomslippers.Shadowcarriedtheheavierbottomendofthegurneydownthestairsandoutontothestreet,thenhewheeleditalongtheicysidewalktothehearse.Jacquelopenedthehearse’sreardoor.Shadowhesitated,andJacquelsaid,"Justpushitoninthere.Thesupports’llfoldupoutoftheway."Shadowpushedthegurney,andthesupportssnappedup,thewheelsrotated,andthegurneyrolledrightontothefloorofthehearse.Jacquelshowedhimhowtostrapitinsecurely,andShadowclosedupthehearsewhileJacquellistenedtotheoldmanwhohadbeenmarriedtoLilaGoodchild,unmindfulofthecold,anoldmaninhisslippersandhisbathrobeoutonthewintrysidewalktellingJacquelhowhischildrenwerevultures,nobetterthanhoveringvultures,waitingtotakewhatlittleheandLilahadscrapedtogether,andhowthetwoofthemhadfledtoSt.Louis,toMemphis,toMiami,andhowtheywoundupinCairo,andhowrelievedhewasthatLilahadnotdiedinanursinghome,howscaredhewasthathewould.