Американские боги

           ShelookedupasWednesdayapproachedher,andputdowntheeggshehadchosen,andwipedherhand."Hello,youoldfraud,"shesaid,butshesmiledasshesaidit,andWednesdaybowedlow,tookherhandandraisedittohislips.

           Hesaid,"Youlookdivine."

           "HowthehellelseshouldIlook?"shedemanded,sweetly."Anyway,you’realiar.NewOrleanswassuchamistake—Iputon,what,thirtypoundsthere?Iswear.IknewIhadtoleavewhenIstartedtowaddle.ThetopsofmythighsrubtogetherwhenIwalknow,canyoubelievethat?"ThislastwasaddressedtoShadow.Hehadnoideawhattosayinreply,andfeltahotflushsuffusehisface.Thewomanlaugheddelightedly."He’sblushing!Wednesdaymysweet,youbroughtmeablusher.Howperfectlywonderfulofyou.What’shecalled?"

           "ThisisShadow,"saidWednesday.HeseemedtobeenjoyingShadow’sdiscomfort."Shadow,sayhellotoEaster."

           ShadowsaidsomethingthatmighthavebeenHello,andthewomansmiledathimagain.Hefeltlikehewascaughtinheadlights—theblindingkindthatpoachersusetofreezedeerbeforetheyshootthem.Hecouldsmellherperfumefromwherehewasstanding,anintoxicatingmixtureofjasmineandhoneysuckle,ofsweetmilkandfemaleskin.

           "So,how’stricks?"askedWednesday.

           Thewoman—Easter—laughedadeepandthroatylaugh,full-bodiedandjoyous.