Американские боги

           Hetookfourplasticbowlsandspoonedthecontentsofthepotintothebowls,putthemdownonthetable.Thenheopenedthedoor,steppedoutintothesnow,andpulledaplasticgallonjugfromthesnowbank.Hebroughtitinside,andpouredfourlargeglassesofacloudyyellow-brownliquid,whichheputbesideeachbowl.Lastofall,hefoundfourspoons.Hesatdownatthetablewiththeothermen.

           Wednesdayraisedhisglasssuspiciously."Lookslikepiss,"hesaid.

           "Youstilldrinkingthatstuff?"askedWhiskeyJack."Youwhitemenarecrazy.Thisisbetter."Then,toShadow,"Thestewismostlywildturkey.Johnherebroughttheapplejack."

           "It’sasoftapplecider,"saidJohnChapman."Ineverbelievedinhardliquor.Makesmenmad."

           Thestewwasdelicious,anditwasverygoodapplecider.Shadowforcedhimselftoslowdown,tochewhisfood,nottogulpit,buthewasmorehungrythanhewouldhavebelieved.Hehelpedhimselftoasecondbowlofthestewandasecondglassofthecider.

           "DameRumorsaysthatyou’vebeenouttalkingtoallmanneroffolk,offeringthemallmannerofthings.Saysyou’retakin’theoldfolksonthewarpath,"saidJohnChapman.ShadowandWhiskeyJackwerewashingup,puttingtheleftoverstewintoTupperwarebowls.WhiskeyJackputthebowlsintothesnowdriftsoutsidehisfrontdoor,andputamilkcrateontopoftheplacehe’dpushedthem,sohecouldfindthemagain.