Американские боги

           "

           Someoneannouncedthattheirplanewasboarding.Wednesdaystoodup."Mayyourchoicesalwaysbesoclear,"hesaid,andonceagain,hesoundedtotallysincere.

           It’struewhattheysay,thoughtShadow.Ifyoucanfakesincerity,you’vegotitmade.

           ThecoldsnapwaseasingwhenWednesdaydroppedShadowoff,inthesmallhoursofthemorning.ItwasstillobscenelycoldinLakeside,butitwasnolongerimpossiblycold.ThelightedsignonthesideoftheM&IBankflashedalternately3:30A.M.and-5°Fastheydrovethroughthetown.

           Itwas9:30A.M.whenChiefofPoliceChadMulliganknockedontheapartmentdoorandaskedShadowifheknewagirlnamedAlisonMcGovern.

           "Idon’tthinkso,"saidShadow,sleepily.

           "Thisisherpicture,"saidMulligan.Itwasahighschoolphotograph.Shadowrecognizedthepersoninthepictureimmediately:thegirlwiththebluerubber-bandbracesonherteeth,theonewhohadbeenlearningallabouttheoralusesofAlka-Seltzerfromherfriend.

           "Ohyeah.Okay.ShewasonthebuswhenIcameintotown."

           "Wherewereyouyesterday,MisterAinsel?"

           Shadowfelthisworldbegintospinawayfromhim.Heknewhehadnothingtofeelguiltyabout(You’reaparole-violatingfelonlivingunderanassumedname,whisperedacalmvoiceinhismind.Isn’tthatenough?).

           "SanFrancisco,"hesaid."California.