Американские боги

           Theyhavebeendrinkingmargaritas,andshehassaltonherlipsandsaltclingingtothebackofherhand.

           Wednesdayisnotwearingasuitandtie,butthepinintheshapeofasilvertreehewearsoverthepocketofhisshirtglittersandglintswhenthemirror-balllightcatchesit.Hedoesnotdancebadly;theymakeafine-lookingcouple,consideringthedifferenceintheirages.Thereisalupinegracetohismovements.

           Aslowdance.Hepullsherclosetohim,andhispaw-likehandcurvesaroundtheseatofherskirtpossessively,movingherclosertohim.Hisotherhandtakesherchin,pushesitupwardintohisface,andthetwoofthemkiss,thereonthefloor,astheglitter-balllightscirclethemintothecenteroftheuniverse.

           Soonafter,theyleave.Sheswaysagainsthim,andheleadsherfromthedancehall.Shadowburieshisheadinhishands,anddoesnotfollowthem,unableorunwillingtowitnesshisownconception.

           Themirrorlightsweregone,andnowtheonlyilluminationcamefromthetinymoonthatburnedhighabovehishead.

           Hewalkedon.Atabendinthepathhestoppedforamoment,tocatchhisbreath.

           Hefeltahandrungentlyuphisback,andgentlefingersrufflethehaironthebackofhishead.

           "Hello,hon,"whisperedasmokyfemalevoice,overhisshoulder.

           "Hello,"hesaid,turningtofaceher.