Американские боги

           It’snotliketheminingtownsupinthenortheast—mostofthemareghosttownsnow.Therewerefarmingtownsthatwerekilledbythefallingcostofmilk,orthelowpriceofhogs.YouknowwhatthebiggestcauseofunnaturaldeathisamongfarmersintheMidwest?"

           "Suicide?"Shadowhazarded.

           Shelookedalmostdisappointed."Yeah.That’sit.Theykillthemselves."Sheshookherhead.Thenshecontinued,"Therearetoomanytownshereaboutsthatonlyexistforthehuntersandthevacationers,townsthatjusttaketheirmoneyandsendthemhomewiththeirtrophiesandtheirbugbites.Thentherearethecompanytowns,whereeverything’sjusthunky-doryuntilWal-Martrelocatestheirdistributioncenteror3MstopsmanufacturingCDcasesthereorwhateverandsuddenlythere’saboatloadoffolkswhocan’tpaytheirmortgages.I’msorry,Ididn’tcatchyourname."

           "Ainsel,"saidShadow."MikeAinsel."Thebeerhewasdrinkingwasalocalbrew,madewithspringwater.Itwasgood.

           "I’mCallieKnopf,"shesaid."Dolly’ssister."Herfacewasstillruddyfromthecold."SowhatI’msayingisthatLakeside’slucky.We’vegotalittleofeverythinghere—farm,lightindustry,tourism,crafts.Goodschools."

           Shadowlookedatherinpuzzlement.Therewassomethingemptyatthebottomofallherwords.