Американские боги

           "

           Amomentofdiscomfortforbothofthem,barelyacrackleofawhisperoverthetelephonelines.Then,"Sammy,how’sschool?"

           "They’regivingusaweekoff.Problemwiththefurnaces.HowarethingsinyourneckoftheNorthwoods?"

           "Well,I’vegotanewnext-doorneighbor.Hedoescointricks.TheLakesideNewslettercolumncurrentlyfeaturesablisteringdebateonthepotentialrezoningofthetownlanddownbytheoldcemeteryonthesoutheastshoreofthelakeandyourstrulyhastowriteastridenteditorialsummarizingthepaper’spositiononthiswithoutoffendinganybodyorinfactgivinganyoneanyideawhatourpositionis."

           "Soundslikefun."

           "It’snot.AlisonMcGovernvanishedlastweek—JillyandStanMcGovern’soldest.Idon’tthinkyoumetthem.Nicekid.ShebabysatforLeonafewtimes."

           Amouthopenstosaysomething,anditclosesagain,leavingwhateveritwastosayunsaid,andinsteaditsays,"That’sawful."

           "Yes."

           "So…"Andthere’snothingtofollowthatwiththatisn’tgoingtohurt,soshesays,"Ishecute?"

           "Who?"

           "Theneighbor."

           "Hisname’sAinsel.MikeAinsel.He’sokay.Tooyoungforme.Bigguy,looks…what’stheword.BeginswithanM.