Американские боги

           "

           "Yougotathingforher?"

           Blush."Idon’tknowaboutthat."

           "Wellthen,putitanotherway.Doesshehaveathingforyou?"

           "Well,she’ssaidafewthingswhenshecalled.She’saveryfine-lookingwoman."

           "So…whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?"

           "Icouldaskherouthere.Icoulddothat,couldn’tI?She’skindofsaidshe’dliketocomeuphere."

           "You’rebothadults.I’dsaygoforit."

           Chadnodded,andblushed,andnoddedagain.

           ThetelephoneinShadow’sapartmentwassilentanddead.Hethoughtaboutgettingitconnected,butcouldthinkofnoonehewantedtocall.Lateonenighthepickeditupandlistened,andwasconvincedthathecouldhearawindblowingandadistantconversationbetweenagroupofpeoplewhosevoicesweretoofainttodistinguish.Hesaid,"Hello?"and"Who’sthere?"buttherewasnoreply,onlyasuddensilenceandthenthefarawaysoundoflaughter,sofainthewasnotcertainhewasnotimaginingit.

           ShadowmademorejourneyswithWednesdayintheweeksthatfollowed.

           HewaitedinthekitchenofaRhodeIslandcottage,andlistenedwhileWednesdaysatinadarkenedbedroomandarguedwithawomanwhowouldnotgetoutofbed,norwouldsheletWednesdayorShadowlookatherface.