Американские боги

           Nobodytalkedaboutthemoney.

           NobodyevenmentionedLaura,andthatwasallthatShadowhadwanted.

           Shadowwonderedwhetherthepathofcomfortinglieswouldhavebeenabetteronetowalk.Hewalkedawayfromthatplace,andfollowedtherockpathdownintowhatlookedlikeahospitalroom,apublichospitalinChicago,andhefeltthebileriseinhisthroat.Hestopped.Hedidnotwanttolook.Hedidnotwanttokeepwalking.

           Inthehospitalbedhismotherwasdyingagain,asshe’ddiedwhenhewassixteen,and,yes,herehewas,alarge,clumsysixteen-year-oldwithacnepockinghiscream-and-coffeeskin,sittingatherbedside,unabletolookather,readingathickpaperbackbook.Shadowwonderedwhatthebookwas,andhewalkedaroundthehospitalbedtoinspectitmoreclosely.Hestoodbetweenthebedandthechairlookingfromtheonetotheother,thebigboyhunchedintohischair,hisnoseburiedinGravity’sRainbow,tryingtoescapefromhismother’sdeathintoLondonduringtheblitz,thefictionalmadnessofthebooknoescapeandnoexcuse.Hismother’seyeswereclosedinamorphinepeace:whatshehadthoughtwasjustanothersickle-cellcrisis,anotherboutofpaintobeendured,hadturnedout,theyhaddiscovered,toolate,tobelymphoma.Therewasalemonish-graytingetoherskin.Shewasinherearlythirties,butshelookedmucholder.