Американские боги

           "

           And,asifthatwashercue,footstepssoundedonthewoodendeck,andsomebodyshoulderedopenthefrontdoor.Shadowdidnotrecognizeheratfirst,thenshesaid,"Ididn’tknowifyouwantedthekindwithcaloriesorthekindthattasteslikewallpaperpastesoIwentforthekindwithcalories,"andheknewherthen:thegirlfromtheroadtoCairo.

           "That’sfine,"saidMarguerite."Sam,thisismyneighbor,MikeAinsel.Mike,thisisSamanthaBlackCrow,mysister."

           Idon’tknowyou,thoughtShadowdesperately.You’venevermetmebefore.We’retotalstrangers.Hetriedtorememberhowhehadthoughtsnow,howeasyandlightthathadbeen:thiswasdesperate.Heputouthishandandsaid,"Pleasedtomeetcha."

           Sheblinked,lookedupathisface.Amomentofpuzzlement,thenrecognitionenteredhereyesandcurvedthecornersofhermouthintoagrin."Hello,"shesaid.

           "I’llseehowthefoodisdoing,"saidMarguerite,inthetautvoiceofsomeonewhoburnsthingsinkitchensiftheyleavethemaloneandunwatchedevenforamoment.

           Samtookoffherpuffycoatandherhat."Soyou’rethemelancholybutmysteriousneighbor,"shesaid."Who’dathunkit?"Shekepthervoicedown.

           "Andyou,"hesaid,"aregirlSam.Canwetalkaboutthislater?"

           "Ifyoupromisetotellmewhat’sgoingon."

           "Deal.