Американские боги

           WhenthemealwasovertheyranthroughthestormtohiscarholdingJapanese-languagenewspaperstocovertheirheads,andtheylaughedastheyran,likeschoolchildrenintherain.

           "HowfarcanItakeyou?"heasked,whentheymadeitbackintothecar."I’llgoasfarasyou’regoing,Mack,"shetoldhim,shyly.

           Hewasgladhehadn’tusedtheBigMackline.Thiswomanwasn’tabar-roomone-nighter,Mr.Townknewthatinhissoul.Itmighthavetakenhimfiftyyearstofindher,butthiswasfinallyit,thiswastheone,thiswild,magicalwomanwiththelongdarkhair.

           Thiswaslove.

           "Look,"hesaid,astheyapproachedChattanooga.Thewipersslooshedtherainacrossthewindshield,blurringthegrayofthecity."HowaboutIfindamotelforyoutonight?I’llpayforit.AndonceImakemydelivery,wecan.Well,wecantakeahotbathtogether,forastart.Warmyouup."

           "Thatsoundswonderful,"saidLaura."Whatareyoudelivering?"

           "Thatstick,"hetoldher,andchuckled."Theoneonthebackseat."

           "Okay,"shesaid,humoringhim."Thendon’ttellme,MisterMysterious."

           HetoldheritwouldbebestifshewaitedinthecarintheRockCityparkinglotwhilehemadehisdelivery.HedroveupthesideofLookoutMountaininthegustingrain,neverbreakingthirtymilesperhour,withhisheadlightsburning.