Американские боги

           Ifthey’dnotstoppedtograbyou,theymighthavetakenthelotofus.ItconvincedseveralofthepeoplewhohadbeensittingonthefencethatImightnotbecompletelycrazy."

           "Sohowdidyougetout?"

           Wednesdayshookhishead."Idon’tpayyoutoaskquestions,"hesaid."I’vetoldyoubefore."

           Shadowshrugged.

           TheyspentthenightinaSuper8motel,southofLaCrosse.

           ChristmasDaywasspentontheroad,drivingnorthandeast.Thefarmlandbecamepineforest.Thetownsseemedtocomefartherandfartherapart.

           TheyatetheirChristmaslunchlateintheafternooninahall-likefamilyrestaurantinnortherncentralWisconsin.Shadowpickedcheerlesslyatthedryturkey,jam-sweetredlumpsofcranberrysauce,tough-as-woodroastedpotatoesandtheviolentlygreencannedpeas.Fromthewayheattackedit,andthewayhesmackedhislips,Wednesdayseemedtobeenjoyingthefood.Asthemealprogressedhebecamepositivelyexpansive—talking,joking,and,whenevershecamecloseenough,flirtingwiththewaitress,athinblondegirlwholookedscarcelyoldenoughtohavedroppedoutofhighschool.

           "Excuseme,m’dear,butmightItroubleyouforanothercupofyourdelightfulhotchocolate?AndItrustyouwon’tthinkmetooforwardifIsaywhatamightilyfetchingandbecomingdressthatis.Festive,yetclassy.