Американские боги

           Mostlyhesawnobodyatall,justcrowsandfinchesand,afewtimes,hespottedahawkfeastingonaroadkillpossumorraccoon.OnonememorableoccasionhewatchedaneaglesnatchasilverfishfromthemiddleoftheWhitePineRiver,thewaterfrozenattheedges,butstillrushingandflowingatthecenter.Thefishwriggledandjerkedintheeagle’stalons,glitteringinthemiddaysun;Shadowimaginedthefishfreeingitselfandswimmingoffacrossthesky,andhesmiled.Ifhewalked,hediscovered,hedidnothavetothink,andthatwasjustthewayhelikedit;whenhethought,hismindwenttoplaceshecouldnotcontrol,placesthatmadehimfeeluncomfortable.Exhaustionwasthebestthing.Whenhewasexhausted,histhoughtsdidnotwandertoLaura,ortothestrangedreams,ortothingsthatwerenotandcouldnotbe.Hewouldreturnhomefromwalking,andsleepwithoutdifficultyandwithoutdreaming.

           HeranintoPoliceChiefChadMulliganinGeorge’sBarberShopinthetownsquare.Shadowalwayshadhighhopesforhaircuts,buttheyneverliveduptohisexpectations.Aftereveryhaircuthelookedmoreorlessthesame,onlywithshorterhair.Chad,seatedinthebarber’schairbesideShadow’s,seemedsurprisinglyconcernedabouthisownappearance.Whenhishaircutwasfinishedhegazedgrimlyathisreflection,asifhewerepreparingtogiveitaspeedingticket.

           "Itlooksgood,"Shadowtoldhim.

           "Woulditlookgoodtoyouifyouwereawoman?"

           "Iguess.