Американские боги

           Finally,heopenedhisrighthandtoshowitwasempty,thensweptthenapkinawaytoshowthecoinsintheglass.

           Hereturnedtheircoins—threetoCallie,fivetoBrogan—thentookaquarterbackfromBrogan’shand,leavingfourcoins.Heblewonit,anditwasapenny,whichhegavetoBrogan,whocountedhisquartersandwasdumbfoundedtofindthathestillhadallfiveinhishand.

           "You’reaHoudini,"cackledHinzelmannindelight."That’swhatyouare!"

           "Justanamateur,"saidShadow."I’vegotalongwaytogo."Still,hefeltasmidgenofpride.Ithad,herealized,beenhisfirstadultaudience.

           Hestoppedatthefoodstoreonthewayhometobuyacartonofmilk.Theginger-hairedgirlonthecheckoutcounterlookedfamiliar,andhereyeswerered-rimmedfromcrying.Herfacewasonebigfreckle.

           "Iknowyou,"saidShadow."You’re—"AndhewasabouttosaytheAlka-Seltzergirl,butbititbackandfinished,"You’reAlison’sfriend.Fromthebus.Ihopeshe’sgoingtobeokay."

           Shesniffedandnodded."Metoo."Sheblewhernoseonatissue,hard,andpusheditbackintohersleeve.

           HerbadgesaidHI!I’MSOPHIE!ASKMEHOWYOUCANLOSE20LBS.IN30DAYS!

           "Ispenttodaylookingforher.Noluckyet."

           Sophienodded,blinkedbacktears.Shewavedthemilkcartoninfrontofascanneranditchirpeditspriceatthem.