Американские боги

           Ifyouwerecloseenoughtoherruby-redlipsyouwouldhearhersay,

           "Iwillrisenowandgoaboutthecityinthestreets,andinthebroadwaysIwillseektheoneIlove."Sheiswhisperingthat,andshewhispers,"Iammybeloved’s,andmybelovedismine.Hesaid,thisstatureofmineisliketoapalmtree,andmybreastslikeclustersofgrapes.Hesaidhewouldcometomethen.Iammybeloved’sandhisdesireisonlytowardme."

           Bilquishopesthatthebreakintherainswillbringthejohnsback.MostoftheyearshewalksthetwoorthreeblocksonSunset,enjoyingthecoolL.A.nights.OnceamonthshepaysoffamannamedSabbah,anofficerintheLAPD,whoreplacedanotherofficerintheLAPDsheusedtopayoff,whohadvanished.Thatman’snamewasJerryLeBec,andhisdisappearancehadbeenamysterytotheLAPD.HehadbecomeobsessedwithBilquis,hadtakentofollowingheronfoot,andoneafternoonshewoke,startledbyanoise,andopenedthedoortoherapartment,andfoundJerryLeBecincivilianclotheskneelingandswayingontheworncarpet,hisheadbowed,waitingforhertocomeout.Thenoiseshehadheardwasthenoiseofhishead,thumpingagainstherdoorasherockedbackandforthonhisknees.

           Shestrokedhishairandtoldhimtocomeinside,andlatersheputhisclothesintoablackplasticgarbagebagandtossedthemintoaDumpsterbehindahotelseveralblocksaway.Hisgunandhiswalletsheputintoagrocerystorebag.