Американские боги

           "Whataboutthefood?"askedWednesday."Youcan’tjustleaveithere."

           Shesmiledathim,andpointedtothegirlsittingbythedog,andthenextendedherarmstotakeintheHaightandtheworld."Letitfeedthem,"shesaid,andshewalked,withWednesdayandShadowtrailingbehindher.

           "Remember,"shesaidtoWednesday,astheywalked,"I’mrich.I’mdoingjustpeachy.WhyshouldIhelpyou?"

           "You’reoneofus,"hesaid."You’reasforgottenandasunlovedandunrememberedasanyofus.It’sprettyclearwhosesideyoushouldbeon."

           Theyreachedasidewalkcoffeehouse,wentinside.Therewasonlyonewaitress,whoworehereyebrowringasamarkofcaste,andawomanmakingcoffeebehindthecounter.Thewaitressadvanceduponthem,smilingautomatically,satthemdown,tooktheirorders.

           EasterputherslimhandonthebackofWednesday’ssquaregrayhand."I’mtellingyou,"shesaid,"I’mdoingfine.Onmyfestivaldaystheystillfeastoneggsandrabbits,oncandyandonflesh,torepresentrebirthandcopulation.Theywearflowersintheirbonnetsandtheygiveeachotherflowers.Theydoitinmyname.Moreandmoreofthemeveryyear.Inmyname,oldwolf."

           "Andyouwaxfatandaffluentontheirworshipandtheirlove?"hesaid,dryly.

           "Don’tbeanasshole."Suddenlyshesoundedverytired.Shesippedhermochaccino.

           "Seriousquestion,m’dear.