Американские боги

           Look,Sam,you’vegottostophitchhiking."

           "HowdoyouthinkI’mgoingtogettoLakeside?"

           "AlisonMcGovernwashitchhiking.Eveninatownlikethis,it’snotsafe.I’llwireyouthemoney.Youcantakethebus."

           "I’llbefine."

           "Sammy."

           "Okay,Mags.Wiremethemoneyifit’llletyousleepeasier."

           "Youknowitwill."

           "Okay,bossybigsister.GiveLeonahugandtellhimAuntieSammy’scomingupandhe’snottohidehistoysinherbedthistime."

           "I’lltellhim.Idon’tpromiseit’lldoanygood.SowhenshouldIexpectyou?"

           "Tomorrownight.Youdon’thavetomeetmeatthebusstation—I’llaskHinzelmanntorunmeoverinTessie."

           "Toolate.Tessie’sinmothballsforthewinter.ButHinzelmannwillgiveyouarideanyway.Helikesyou.Youlistentohisstories."

           "MaybeyoushouldgetHinzelmanntowriteyoureditorialforyou.Let’ssee.OntheRezoningoftheLandbytheOldCemetery,itsohappensthatinthewinterofoughtthreemygrampawshotastagdownbytheoldcemeterybythelake.Hewasoutofbullets,soheusedacherry-stonefromthelunchmygrandmamahadpackedforhim.Creasedtheskullofthestaganditshotofflikeabatoutofheck.Twoyearslaterhewasdownthatwayandheseesthismightybuckwithaspreadingcherrytreegrowingbetweenitsantlers