Американские боги

           Shadowwonderedidlywhatshe’dlooklikeintenyears’time.

           ProbablyasbeautifulasthegirlattheHenning’sFarmandHomecheckoutcounter,whoscannedinhispurchaseswithachatteringhand-heldgun,capable,Shadowhadnodoubt,ofringingupatractorifsomeonedroveitthrough.

           "Tenpairsoflongunderwear?"saidthegirl."Stockingup,huh?"Shelookedlikeamoviestarlet.

           Shadowfeltfourteenagain,andtongue-tiedandfoolish.Hesaidnothingwhilesherangupthethermalboots,thegloves,thesweaters,andthegoose-down-filledcoat.

           HehadnowishtoputthecreditcardthatWednesdayhadgivenhimtothetest,notwithChiefofPoliceMulliganstandinghelpfullybesidehim,sohepaidforeverythingincash.Thenhetookhisbagsintothemen’srestroom,andcameoutwearingmanyofhispurchases.

           "Lookinggood,bigfella,"saidMulligan.

           "AtleastI’mwarm,"saidShadow,andoutside,intheparkinglot,althoughthewindburnedcoldontheskinofhisface,therestofhimwaswarmenough.AtMulligan’sinvitation,heputhisshoppingbagsinthebackofthepolicecar,androdeinthepassengerseat,inthefront.

           "So,whatdoyoudo,MisterAinsel?"askedthechiefofpolice."Bigguylikeyou.What’syourprofession,andwillyoubepracticingitinLakeside?"

           Shadow’sheartbegantopound,buthisvoicewassteady."Iworkformyuncle.