Американские боги

           "Doyouwantmetocomein?"heasked.

           "Notparticularly."

           "Good."Thegrinflashed,withouthumor."There’sbusinessIcanbegettingonwithwhileyousayyourgoodbyes.I’llgetroomsforusattheMotelAmerica.Meetmetherewhenyou’redone."

           Shadowgotoutofthecarandwatcheditpullaway.Thenhewalkedin.Thedimlylitcorridorsmelledofflowersandoffurniturepolish,withjusttheslightesttangofformaldehyde.AtthefarendwastheChapelofRest.

           Shadowrealizedthathewaspalmingthegoldcoin,movingitcompulsivelyfromabackpalmtoafrontpalmtoaDownspalm,overandover.Theweightwasreassuringinhishand.

           Hiswife’snamewasonasheetofpaperbesidethedooratthefarendofthecorridor.HewalkedintotheChapelofRest.Shadowknewmostofthepeopleintheroom:Laura’sworkmates,severalofherfriends.

           Theyallrecognizedhim.Hecouldseeitintheirfaces.Therewerenosmiles,though,nohellos.

           Attheendoftheroomwasasmalldais,and,onit,acream-coloredcasketwithseveraldisplaysofflowersarrangedaboutit:scarletsandyellowsandwhitesanddeep,bloodypurples.Hetookastepforward.HecouldseeLaura’sbodyfromwherehewasstanding.Hedidnotwanttowalkforward;hedidnotdaretowalkaway.

           Amaninadarksuit-Shadowguessedheworkedatthefuneralhome-said,"Sir?Wouldyouliketosignthecondolenceandremembrancebook?"andpointedhimtoaleather-boundbook,openonasmalllectern.