Американские боги

           Howcouldyounotlikesomeonewholaughedlikethat?"Everything’sfine,"shesaid."Howaboutyou,youoldwolf?"

           "Iwashopingtoenlistyourassistance."

           "Wastingyourtime."

           "Atleasthearmeoutbeforedismissingme."

           "Nopoint.Don’tevenbother."

           ShelookedatShadow."Please,sitdownhereandhelpyourselftosomeofthisfood.Here,takeaplateandpileithigh.It’sallgood.Eggs,roastchicken,chickencurry,chickensalad,andoverhereislapin—rabbit,actually,butcoldrabbitisadelight,andinthatbowloverthereisthejuggedhare,well,whydon’tIjustfillaplateforyou?"Andshedid,takingaplasticplateandpilingithighwithfoodsandpassingittohim.ThenshelookedatWednesday."Areyoueating?"sheasked.

           "Iamatyourdisposal,mydear,"saidWednesday.

           "You,"shetoldhim,"aresofullofshitit’sawonderyoureyesdon’tturnbrown."Shepassedhimanemptyplate."Helpyourself,"shesaid.

           Theafternoonsunatherbackburnedherhairintoaplatinumaura."Shadow,"shesaid,chewingachickenlegwithgusto."That’sasweetname.WhydotheycallyouShadow?"

           Shadowlickedhislipstomoistenthem."WhenIwasakid,"hesaid."Welived,mymotherandI,wewere,Imean,shewas,well,likeasecretary,atabunchofU.S.