Американские боги

           Ayounggirl,noolderthanfourteen,herhairdyedgreenandorangeandpink,staredatthemastheywentby.Shesatbesideadog,amongrel,withapieceofstringforacollarandaleash.Shelookedhungrierthanthedogdid.Thedogyappedatthem,thenwaggeditstail.

           Shadowgavethegirladollarbill.Shestaredatitasifshewasnotsurewhatitwas."Buydogfoodwithit,"Shadowsuggested.Shenodded,andsmiled.

           "Letmeputitbluntly,"saidWednesday."Youmustbeverycautiousaroundtheladywearevisiting.Shemighttakeafancytoyou,andthatwouldbebad."

           "Issheyourgirlfriendorsomething?"

           "NotforallthelittleplastictoysinChina,"saidWednesday,agreeably.Hisangerseemedtohavedissipated,orperhapstohavebeeninvestedforthefuture.ShadowsuspectedthatangerwastheenginethatmadeWednesdayrun.

           Therewasawomansittingonthegrass,underatree,withapapertableclothspreadinfrontofher,andavarietyofTupperwaredishesonthecloth.

           Shewas—notfat,no,farfromfat:whatshewas,awordthatShadowhadneverhadcausetouseuntilnow,wascurvaceous.Herhairwassofairthatitwaswhite,thekindofplatinum-blondetressesthatshouldhavebelongedtoalong-deadmoviestarlet,herlipswerepaintedcrimson,andshelookedtobesomewherebetweentwenty-fiveandfifty.

           Astheyreachedhershewasselectingfromaplateofdeviledeggs.