Американские боги

           I’mjustnotthewomanhemarriedanymore."

           Well,hetoldher,peoplechange,andbeforehecouldthinkhewastellinghereverythinghecouldtellherabouthislife,hewaseventellingheraboutWoodyandStoner,howthethreeofthemwerethethreemusketeers,andthetwoofthemwerekilled,youthinkyou’dgethardenedtothatkindofthingingovernmentwork,butyouneverdid.Itneverhappened.

           Andshereachedoutonehand—itwascoldenoughthatheturnedupthecar’sheating—andsqueezedhishandtightlyinhers.

           Lunchtime,theyatebadJapanesefoodwhileathunderstormloweredonKnoxville,andTowndidn’tcarethatthefoodwaslate,thatthemisosoupwascold,orthatthesushiwaswarm.

           Helovedthefactthatshewasout,withhim,havinganadventure.

           "Well,"confidedLaura,"Ihatedtheideaofgettingstale.IwasjustrottingawaywhereIwas.SoIsetoffwithoutmycarandwithoutmycreditcards.I’mjustrelyingonthekindnessofstrangers.AndI’vehadthebesttime.Peoplehavebeensogoodtome."

           "Aren’tyouscared?"heasked."Imean,youcouldbestranded,youcouldbemugged,youcouldstarve."

           Sheshookherhead.Thenshesaid,withahesitantsmile,"Imetyou,didn’tI?"andhecouldn’tfindanythingtosay.