Американские боги

           Easterputherhanddownandtouchedagreenshootwhichstabbedupfromtheearthlikeaknifeblade.Asshetouchedititgrew,andopened,andtwisted,andchanged,untilshewasrestingherhandonagreentuliphead.Whenthesunwashightheflowerwouldopen.

           Easterlookedupatthehawk."CanIhelpyou?"shesaid.

           ThehawkcircledaboutfifteenfeetaboveEaster’shead,slowly,thenitglideddowntoher,andlandedonthegroundnearby.Itlookedupatherwithmadeyes.

           "Hello,cutie,"shesaid."Now,whatdoyoureallylooklike,eh?"

           Thehawkhoppedtowardher,uncertainly,andthenitwasnolongerahawk,butayoungman.Helookedather,andthenlookeddownatthegrass."You?"hesaid.Hisglancewenteverywhere,tothegrass,tothesky,tothebushes.Nottoher.

           "Me,"shesaid."Whataboutme?"

           "You."Hestopped.Heseemedtobetryingtomusterhisthoughts;strangeexpressionsflittedandswamacrosshisface.Hespenttoolongabird,shethought.Hehasforgottenhowtobeaman.Shewaitedpatiently.Eventually,hesaid,"Willyoucomewithme?"

           "Maybe.Wheredoyouwantmetogo?"

           "Themanonthetree.Heneedsyou.Aghosthurt,inhisside.Thebloodcame,thenitstopped.Ithinkheisdead."

           "There’sawaron.Ican’tjustgorunningaway.