Американские боги
Chapter 9
Butit’snofunwhenit’sthiscold,andwhenyoudon’tknowwhereyou’regoingitalwaysseemslonger—youevernoticethat?Firsttimetakesforever,andtheneverafterit’soverinaflash?"
"Yes,"saidShadow."I’veneverthoughtofitlikethat.ButIguessit’strue."
Theoldmannodded.Hisfacecrackedintoagrin."Whattheheck,it’sChristmas.I’llrunyouoverthereinTessie."
"Tessie?"saidShadow,andthenhesaid,"Imean,thankyou."
"You’rewelcome."
Shadowfollowedtheoldmantotheroad,whereahugeoldroadsterwasparked.ItlookedlikesomethingthatgangstersmighthavebeenproudtodriveintheRoaringTwenties,runningboardsandall.Itwasadeepdarkcolorunderthesodiumlightsthatmighthavebeenredandmighthavebeengreen."ThisisTessie,"theoldmansaid."Ain’tsheabeaut?"Hepattedherproprietarily,wherethehoodcurvedupandarchedoverthefrontnearsidewheel.
"Whatmakeisshe?"askedShadow.
"She’saWendtPhoenix.Wendtwentunderin’31,namewasboughtbyChrysler,buttheynevermadeanymoreWendts.HarveyWendt,whofoundedthecompany,wasalocalboy.WentouttoCalifornia,killedhimselfin,oh,1941,’42.Greattragedy.
