Американские боги

           Thewomandrivingitreachedover,wounddownthepassengerwindow,andsaid,"Youbozosneedaride?"

           "Youareverygracious,madam,"saidWednesday."We’relookingforaMisterHarryBluejay."

           "He’llbedownattherechall,"saidthewoman.Shewasinherforties,Shadowguessed."Getin."

           Theygotin.Wednesdaytookthepassengerseat,JohnChapmanandShadowclimbedintotheback.Shadow’slegsweretoolongtositinthebackcomfortably,buthedidthebesthecould.Thecarjoltedforward,downthegravelroad.

           "Sowheredidyouthreecomefrom?"askedthedriver.

           "Justvisitingwithafriend,"saidWednesday.

           "Livesonthehillbackthere,"saidShadow.

           "Whathill?"sheasked.

           Shadowlookedbackthroughthedustyrearwindow,lookingbackatthehill.Buttherewasnohighhillbackthere;nothingbutcloudsontheplains.

           "WhiskeyJack,"hesaid.

           "Ah,"shesaid."WecallhimInktomihere.Ithinkit’sthesameguy.Mygrandfatherusedtotellsomeprettygoodstoriesabouthim.Ofcourse,allthebestofthemwerekindofdirty."Theyhitabumpintheroad,andthewomanswore."Youokaybackthere?"

           "Yes,ma’am,"saidJohnnyChapman.Hewasholdingontothebackseatwithbothhands.

           "Rezroads,"shesaid."Yougetusedtothem.