Американские боги

           "

           Hefinishedhissecondbeerandgesturedtowardtheriveratthebottomofthewaterfall."Youfollowthatriverforaway,you’llgettothelakeswherethewildricegrows.Inwildricetime,yougooutinyourcanoewithafriend,andyouknockthewildriceintoyourcanoe,andcookit,andstoreit,anditwillkeepyouforalongtime.Differentplacesgrowdifferentfoods.Gofarenoughsouththereareorangetrees,lemontrees,andthosesquashygreenguys,looklikepears—"

           "Avocados."

           "Avocados,"agreedWhiskeyJack."That’sthem.Theydon’tgrowupthisway.Thisiswildricecountry.Moosecountry.WhatI’mtryingtosayisthatAmericaislikethat.It’snotgoodgrowingcountryforgods.Theydon’tgrowwellhere.They’relikeavocadostryingtogrowinwildricecountry."

           "Theymaynotgrowwell,"saidShadow,remembering,"butthey’regoingtowar."

           ThatwastheonlytimeheeversawWhiskeyJacklaugh.Itwasalmostabark,andithadlittlehumorinit."Hey,Shadow,"saidWhiskeyJack."Ifallyourfriendsjumpedoffacliff,wouldyoujumpofftoo?"

           "Maybe."Shadowfeltgood.Hedidn’tthinkitwasjustthebeer.Hecouldn’trememberthelasttimehehadfeltsoalive,andsotogether.

           "It’snotgoingtobeawar."

           "Thenwhatisit?"

           WhiskeyJackcrushedthebeercanbetweenhishands,pressingituntilitwasflat.