Американские боги

           "How’sdeath?"

           "Hard,"shesaid."Itjustkeepsgoing."

           Sherestedherheadonhisshoulder,anditalmostundidhim.Hesaid,"Youwanttowalkforabit?"

           "Sure."Shesmiledupathim,anervous,crookedsmileinadeadface.

           Theywalkedoutofthelittlegraveyard,andmadetheirwaybackdowntheroad,towardthetown,handinhand."Wherehaveyoubeen?"sheasked.

           "Here,"hesaid."Mostly."

           "SinceChristmas,"shesaid,"Ikindoflostyou.SometimesIwouldknowwhereyouwere,forafewhours,forafewdays.You’dbeallover.Thenyou’dfadeawayagain."

           "Iwasinthistown,"hesaid."Lakeside.It’sagoodlittletown."

           "Oh,"shesaid.

           Shenolongerworethebluedressinwhichshehadbeenburied.Nowsheworeseveralsweaters,along,dark,skirt,andburgundyboots.Shadowcommentedonthem.

           Lauraduckedherhead.Shesmiled."Aren’ttheygreatboots?IfoundtheminthisgreatshoestoreinChicago."

           "SowhatmadeyoudecidetocomeupfromChicago?"

           "Oh,I’venotbeeninChicagoforawhile,puppy.Iwasheadingsouth.Thecoldwasbotheringme.You’dthinkI’dwelcomeit.Butit’ssomethingtodowithbeingdead,Iguess.Youdon’tfeelitascold.