Американские боги

           Hislifewaslaidoutbelowhim,onthemotelsheetshroud,literallylaidout,liketheitemsatsomeDadapicnic,asurrealisttableau:hecouldseehismother’spuzzledstare,theAmericanembassyinNorway,Laura’seyesontheirweddingday…

           Hechuckledthroughdrylips.

           "What’ssofunny,puppy?"askedLaura.

           "Ourweddingday,"hesaid."Youbribedtheorganisttochangefromplayingthe‘WeddingMarch’tothetheme-songfromScooby-Dooasyouwalkedtowardmedowntheaisle.Doyouremember?"

           "OfcourseIremember,darling.Iwouldhavemadeittoo,ifitwasn’tforthosemeddlingkids."

           "Ilovedyousomuch,"saidShadow.

           Hecouldfeelherlipsonhis,andtheywerewarmandwetandliving,notcoldanddead,soheknewthatthiswasanotherhallucination."Youaren’there,areyou?"heasked.

           "No,"shesaid."Butyouarecallingme,forthelasttime.AndIamcoming."

           Breathingwashardernow.Theropescuttinghisfleshwereanabstractconcept,likefreewilloreternity.

           "Sleep,puppy,"shesaid,althoughhethoughtitmighthavebeenhisownvoiceheheard,andheslept.

           Thesunwasapewtercoininaleadensky.Shadowwas,herealizedslowly,awake,andhewascold.Butthepartofhimthatunderstoodthatseemedveryfarawayfromtherestofhim.