Американские боги

           Itwasstillacoldwaratthisstage,aphonywar,nothingthatcouldbetrulywonorlost.

           Thewindstirredthebranchesofthetree.Sparksflewfromthefire.Thestormwascoming.

           TheQueenofSheba,half-demon,theysaid,onherfather’sside,witch-woman,wise-womanandqueen,whoruledShebawhenShebawastherichestlandthereeverwas,whenitsspicesanditsgemsandscentedwoodsweretakenbyboatandcamel-backtothecornersoftheearth,whowasworshipedevenwhenshewasalive,worshipedasalivinggoddessbythewisestofkings,standsonthesidewalkofSunsetBoulevardat2:00A.M.staringblanklyoutatthetrafficlikeasluttyplasticbrideonablackandneonweddingcake.Shestandsasifsheownsthesidewalkandthenightthatsurroundsher.

           Whensomeonelooksstraightather,herlipsmove,asifsheistalkingtoherself.Whenmenincarsdrivepasthershemakeseye-contactandshesmiles.Sheignoresthemenwhowalkpastheronthesidewalk(ithappens,peoplewalkeverywhere,eveninWestHollywood);sheignoresthem,doesherbesttopretendthattheyarenotthere.

           It’sbeenalongnight.

           It’sbeenalongweek,andalongfourthousandyears.

           Sheisproudthatsheowesnothingtoanyone.Theothergirlsonthestreet,theyhavepimps,theyhavehabits,theyhavechildren,theyhavepeoplewhotakewhattheymake.Nother.Thereisnothingholyleftinherprofession.Notanymore.