Американские боги

           Hebuysandsellsstuffalloverthecountry.Ijustdotheheavylifting."

           "Doeshepaywell?"

           "I’mfamily.HeknowsI’mnotgoingtoriphimoff,andI’mlearningalittleaboutthetradeontheway.UntilIfigureoutwhatitisIreallywanttodo."Itwascomingoutofhimwithconviction,smoothasasnake.HekneweverythingaboutbigMikeAinselinthatmoment,andhelikedMikeAinsel.MikeAinselhadnoneoftheproblemsthatShadowhad.Ainselhadneverbeenmarried.MikeAinselhadneverbeeninterrogatedonafreighttrainbyMr.WoodandMr.Stone.TelevisionsdidnotspeaktoMikeAinsel(YouwanttoseeLucy’stits?askedavoiceinhishead.)MikeAinseldidn’thavebaddreams,orbelievethattherewasastormcoming.

           HefilledhisshoppingbasketatDave’sFinestFoods,doingwhathethoughtofasagas-stationstop—milk,eggs,bread,apples,cheese,cookies.Justsomefood.He’ddoarealonelater.AsShadowmovedaround,ChadMulligansaidhellotopeopleandintroducedShadowtothem."ThisisMikeAinsel,he’stakentheemptyapartmentattheoldPilsenplace.Uparoundtheback,"he’dsay.Shadowgaveuptryingtoremembernames.Hejustshookhandswithpeopleandsmiled,sweatingalittle,uncomfortableinhisinsulatedlayersinthehotstore.ChadMulligandroveShadowacrossthestreettoLakesideRealty.MissyGunther,herhairfreshlysetandlacquered,didnotneedanintroduction—sheknewexactlywhoMikeAinselwas.WhythatniceMr.