Американские боги

           "Shesmiledherbrightsmile.ThenshepattedShadow’sarmandwalkedawaydownthesidewalk.Hewatchedhergo,trying—andfailing—nottothinkofherthighsrubbingtogetherasshewalked.

           Inthetaxionthewaytotheairport,WednesdayturnedtoShadow."Whatthehellwasthatbusinesswiththetendollarsabout?"

           "Youshortchangedher.Itcomesoutofherwagesifshe’sshort."

           "Whatthehelldoyoucare?"Wednesdayseemedgenuinelyirate.

           Shadowthoughtforamoment.Thenhesaid,"Well,Iwouldn’twantanyonetodoittome.Shehadn’tdoneanythingwrong."

           "No?"Wednesdaystaredoffintothemiddle-distance,andsaid,"Whenshewassevenyearsoldsheshutakitteninacloset.Shelistenedtoitmewforseveraldays.Whenitceasedtomew,shetookitoutofthecloset,putitintoashoebox,andburieditinthebackyard.Shewantedtoburysomething.Sheconsistentlystealsfromeverywheresheworks.Smallamounts,usually.Lastyearshevisitedhergrandmotherinthenursinghometowhichtheoldwomanisconfined.Shetookanantiquegoldwatchfromhergrandmother’sbedsidetable,andthenwentprowlingthroughseveraloftheotherrooms,stealingsmallquantitiesofmoneyandpersonaleffectsfromthetwilightfolkintheirgoldenyears.Whenshegothomeshedidnotknowwhattodowithherspoils,scaredsomeonewouldcomeafterher,soshethreweverythingawayexceptthecash.