Американские боги

           Shadowwashedhisfacewiththerestroom’sliquidsoap,thenhelatheredhisfaceandshaved.Hecleanedhisteeth.Hewethishairandcombeditback.Hestilllookedrough.

           HewonderedwhatLaurawouldsaywhenshesawhim,andthenherememberedthatLaurawouldn’tsayanythingeveragainandhesawhisface,inthemirror,tremble,butonlyforamoment.

           Hewentout.

           "Ilooklikeshit,"saidShadow.

           "Ofcourseyoudo,"agreedWednesday.

           Wednesdaytookanassortmentofsnackfooduptothecashregisterandpaidforthatandtheirgas,changinghismindtwiceaboutwhetherhewasdoingitwithplasticorwithcash,totheirritationofthegum-chewingyoungladybehindthetill.ShadowwatchedasWednesdaybecameincreasinglyflusteredandapologetic.Heseemedveryold,suddenly.Thegirlgavehimhiscashback,andputthepurchaseonthecard,andthengavehimthecardreceiptandtookhiscash,thenreturnedthecashandtookadifferentcard.Wednesdaywasobviouslyonthevergeoftears,anoldmanmadehelplessbytheimplacableplasticmarchofthemodernworld.

           Theywalkedoutofthewarmgasstation,andtheirbreathsteamedintheair.

           Ontheroadoncemore:browninggrassmeadowsslippedpastoneachsideofthem.Thetreeswereleaflessanddead.Twoblackbirdsstaredatthemfromatelegraphwire.

           "Hey,Wednesday."

           "What?"

           "ThewayIsawitinthere,youneverpaidforthegas."

           "Oh?"

           "ThewayIsawit,shewounduppayingyoufortheprivilegeofhavingyouinhergasstation.Youthinkshe’sfigureditoutyet?"

           "Sheneverwill."