Американские боги

           Thecarhitsherwithanimpactthatcrumplesthegrilleandtossesherintotheairlikeaglovepuppet.Shelandsontheroadbehindthelimo,andtheimpactshattersherpelvis,fracturesherskull.Coldrainwaterrunsoverherface.

           Shebeginstocurseherkiller:cursehimsilently,asshecannotmoveherlips.Shecurseshiminwakingandinsleeping,inlivingandindeath.Shecurseshimasonlysomeonewhoishalf-demononherfather’ssidecancurse.

           Acardooropens.Someoneapproachesher."Youwereananaloggirl,"hesingsagain,tunelessly,"livinginadigitalworld."Andthenhesays,"Youfuckingmadonnas.Allyoufuckingmadonnas."Hewalksaway.

           Thecardoorslams.

           Thelimoreverses,andrunsbackoverher,slowly,forthefirsttime.Herbonescrunchbeneaththewheels.Thenthelimocomesbackdownthehilltowardher.

           When,finally,itdrivesaway,downthehill,allitleavesbehindontheroadisthesmearedredmeatofroadkill,barelyrecognizableashuman,andsooneventhatwillbewashedawaybytherain.

           INTERLUDE2

           "Hi,Samantha."

           "Mags?Isthatyou?"

           "Whoelse?LeonsaidthatAuntieSammycalledwhenIwasintheshower."

           "Wehadagoodtalk.He’ssuchasweetkid."

           "Yeah.IthinkI’llkeephim.