Американские боги

           "Sowhathappenedtheothernight?"

           "ThenightIwaskilled?"

           "Yes."

           "Well,RobbieandIwentouttotalkaboutyourwelcome-backsurpriseparty.Itwouldhavebeensogood.AndItoldhimthatweweredone.Finished.Thatnowthatyouwerebackthatwasthewayithadtobe."

           "Mm.Thankyou,babe."

           "You’rewelcome,darling."Theghostofasmilecrossedherface."Wegotmaudlin.Itwassweet.Wegotstupid.Igotverydrunk.Hedidn’t.Hehadtodrive.WeweredrivinghomeandIannouncedthatIwasgoingtogivehimagoodbyeblowjob,onelasttimewithfeeling,andIunzippedhispants,andIdid."

           "Bigmistake."

           "Tellmeaboutit.Iknockedthegearshiftwithmyshoulder,andthenRobbiewastryingtopushmeoutofthewaytoputthecarbackingear,andwewereswerving,andtherewasaloudcrunchandIremembertheworldstartedtorollandtospin,andIthought,’I’mgoingtodie.’Itwasverydispassionate.Irememberthat.Iwasn’tscared.AndthenIdon’trememberanythingmore."

           Therewasasmelllikeburningplastic.Itwasthecigarette,Shadowrealized:ithadburneddowntothefilter.Lauradidnotseemtohavenoticed.

           "Whatareyoudoinghere,Laura?"

           "Can’tawifecomeandseeherhusband?"

           "You’redead.Iwenttoyourfuneralthisafternoon."

           "Yes."Shestoppedtalking,staredintonothing.Shadowstoodupandwalkedovertoher.Hetookthesmolderingcigarettebuttfromherfingersandthrewitoutofthewindow.

           "Well?"

           Hereyessoughthis."Idon’tknowmuchmorethanIdidwhenIwasalive.