Американские боги

           Shehadachainofblueforget-me-notstattooedaroundherleftwrist.

           "Yes,"shesaid,afterawhile."IguessIwill."

           Wednesdaykissedhisfinger,touchedittohercheek.Thenhecalledtheirwaitressoverandpaidfortheircoffees,countingoutthemoneycarefully,foldingitoverwiththecheckandpresentingittoher.

           Asshewalkedaway,Shadowsaid,"Ma’am?Excuseme?Ithinkyoudroppedthis."Hepickedupaten-dollarbillfromthefloor.

           "No,"shesaid,lookingatthewrappedbillsinherhand.

           "Isawitfall,ma’am,"saidShadow,politely."Youshouldcountthem."

           Shecountedthemoneyinherhand,lookedpuzzledandsaid,"Jesus.You’reright.I’msorry."Shetooktheten-dollarbillfromShadow,andwalkedaway.

           Easterwalkedoutontothesidewalkwiththem.Thelightwasjuststartingtofade.ShenoddedtoWednesday,thenshetouchedShadow’shandandsaid,"Whatdidyoudreamabout,lastnight?"

           "Thunderbirds,"hesaid."Amountainofskulls."

           Shenodded."Anddoyouknowwhoseskullstheywere?"

           "Therewasavoice,"hesaid."Inmydream.Ittoldme."

           Shenoddedandwaited.

           Hesaid,"Itsaidtheyweremine.Oldskullsofmine.Thousandsandthousandsofthem."

           ShelookedatWednesday,andsaid,"Ithinkthisone’sakeeper.