Американские боги

           Shekissedhischeekandhisforehead."Comeon,"shesaid."Timetogetup.It’sallhappening.Youdon’twanttomissit."

           Hiseyesfluttered,andthentheyopened,twoeyesofagraysodeepitwascolorless,thegrayofevening,andhelookedather.

           Shesmiled,andthensheremovedherhandfromhischest.

           Hesaid,"Youcalledmeback."Hesaiditslowly,asifhehadforgottenhowtospeakEnglish.Therewashurtinhisvoice,andpuzzlement.

           "Yes."

           "Iwasdone.Iwasjudged.Itwasover.Youcalledmeback.Youdared."

           "I’msorry."

           "Yes."

           Hesatup,slowly.Hewinced,andtouchedhisside.Thenhelookedpuzzled:therewasabeadingofwetbloodthere,buttherewasnowoundbeneathit.

           Hereachedoutahand,andsheputherarmaroundhimandhelpedhimtohisfeet.Helookedacrossthemeadowasifhewastryingtorememberthenamesofthethingshewaslookingat:theflowersinthelonggrass,theruinsofthefarmhouse,thehazeofgreenbudsthatfoggedthebranchesofthehugesilvertree.

           "Doyouremember?"sheasked."Doyourememberwhatyoulearned?"

           "Yes.Itwillfadethough.Likeadream.Iknowthat.Ilostmyname,andIlostmyheart.Andyoubroughtmeback."

           "I’msorry,"shesaid,forthesecondtime."Theyaregoingtofight,soon.