Американские боги

           Howmuchlongerdoyouneedtostayintown?"

           "Idon’tknow.Maybeanotherweek.IguessIneedtowrapupLaura’saffairs.Takecareoftheapartment,getridofherclothes,allthat.It’lldrivehermothernuts,butthewomandeservesit."

           Wednesdaynoddedhishugehead."Well,thesooneryou’redone,thesoonerwecanmoveoutofEaglePoint.Goodnight."

           Shadowwalkedacrossthehall.HisroomwasaduplicateofWednesday’sroom,downtotheprintofabloodysunsetonthewallabovethebed.Heorderedacheeseandmeatballpizza,thenheranabath,pouringallthemotel’slittleplasticbottlesofshampoointothewater,makingitfoam.

           Hewastoobigtoliedowninthebathtub,buthesatinitandluxuriatedasbesthecould.Shadowhadpromisedhimselfabathwhenhegotoutofprison,andShadowkepthispromises.

           Thepizzaarrivedshortlyafterhegotoutofthebath,andShadowateit,washingitdownwithacanofrootbeer.

           Shadowlayinbed,thinking,Thisismyfirstbedasafreeman,andthethoughtgavehimlesspleasurethanhehadimaginedthatitwould.Heleftthedrapesopen,watchedthelightsofthecarsandofthefastfoodjointsthroughthewindowglass,comfortedtoknowtherewasanotherworldoutthere,onehecouldwalktoanytimehewanted.

           Shadowcouldhavebeeninhisbedathome,hethought,intheapartmentthathehadsharedwithLaura-inthebedthathehadsharedwithLaura.