Американские боги

           Nowitwasacolorlessplace,beautifulinaskeletalway,thebandshellempty,thefountainturnedoffforthewinter,thebrownstonecityhallcappedbywhitesnow.

           "…andthis,"concludedChadMulligan,bringingthecartoastopoutsideahighglass-frontedoldbuildingonthewestofthesquare,"isMabel’s."

           Hegotoutofthecar,openedthereardoorforShadow.Thetwomenputtheirheadsdownagainstthecoldandthewind,andhurriedacrossthesidewalkandintoawarmroom,fragrantwiththesmellsofnew-bakedbread,ofpastryandsoupandbacon.

           Theplacewasalmostempty.MulligansatdownatatableandShadowsatoppositehim.HesuspectedthatMulliganwasdoingthistogetafeelforthestrangerintown.Thenagain,thepolicechiefmightsimplybewhatheappeared:friendly,helpful,good.

           Awomanbustledovertotheirtable,notfatbutbig,abigwomaninhersixties,herhairbottle-bronze.

           "Hello,Chad,"shesaid."You’llwantahotchocolatewhileyou’rethinking."Shehandedthemtwolaminatedmenus.

           "Nocreamonthetop,though,"heagreed."Mabelknowsmetoowell,"hesaidtoShadow."What’llitbe,pal?"

           "Hotchocolatesoundsgreat,"saidShadow."AndI’mhappytohavethewhippedcreamonthetop."

           "That’sgood,"saidMabel."Livedangerously,hon.