Американские боги

           Hetoldhimselfitwouldn’t.Heknewitwouldn’t.Butstill,afterward,hewishedthat,justforamomentonthatslowflighthome,hehadtouchedWednesday’shand.

           ThebriefwinterdaylightwasalreadyfadingwhenWednesdaydroppedShadowoutsidehisapartment.ThefreezingtemperaturewhenShadowopenedthecardoorfeltevenmoresciencefictionalwhencomparedtoLasVegas.

           "Don’tgetintoanytrouble,"saidWednesday."Keepyourheadbelowtheparapet.Makenowaves."

           "Allatthesametime?"

           "Don’tgetsmartwithme,m’boy.YoucankeepoutofsightinLakeside.Ipulledinabigfavortokeepyouhere,safeandsound.Ifyouwereinacitythey’dgetyourscentinminutes."

           "I’llstayputandkeepoutoftrouble."Shadowmeantitashesaidit.He’dhadalifetimeoftroubleandhewasreadytoletitgoforever."Whenareyoucomingback?"heasked.

           "Soon,"saidWednesday,andhegunnedtheLincoln’sengine,slidupthewindowanddroveoffintothefrigidnight.