Американские боги

           Shesaid,"CanIhaveoneofthose?"

           "Sure.I’llgiveyouacigaretteifyougivememystick."

           "No,"shesaid."Ifyouwantit,it’sworthmorethanjustacigarette."

           Hesaidnothing.

           Shesaid,"Iwantanswers.Iwanttoknowthings."

           Helitacigaretteandpassedittoher.Shetookitandinhaled.Thensheblinked."Icanalmosttastethisone,"shesaid."IthinkmaybeIcan."Shesmiled."Mm.Nicotine."

           "Yes,"hesaid."Whydidyougotothewomeninthefarmhouse?"

           "Shadowtoldmetogotothem,"shesaid."Hesaidtoaskthemforwater."

           "Iwonderifheknewwhatitwoulddo.Probablynot.Still,that’sthegoodthingabouthavinghimdeadonhistree.Iknowwhereheisatalltimes,now.He’sofftheboard."

           "Yousetupmyhusband,"shesaid."Yousethimupalltheway,youpeople.Hehasagoodheart,youknowthat?"

           "Yes,"saidMr.World."Iknow."

           "Whydidyouwanthim?"

           "Patterns,anddistraction,"saidMr.World."Whenthisisalldonewith,IguessI’llsharpenastickofmistletoeandgodowntotheashtree,andramitthroughhiseye.That’swhatthosemoronsfightingouttherehaveneverbeenabletograsp.It’sneveramatterofoldandnew.It’sonlyaboutpatterns.Now.Mystick,please.