Американские боги

           "ButIwishIcouldhavekeptmoreofwhatpassedthroughmyhands,sinceIgotoutofprison.Iwasgivensomanythings,andIlostthemagain."

           "Maybe,"saidMr.Nancy,"youkeptmorethanyouthink."

           "No,"saidShadow.

           TheycrossedtheborderintoFlorida,andShadowsawhisfirstpalmtree.Hewonderedifthey’dplanteditthereonpurpose,attheborder,justsothatyouknewyouwereinFloridanow.

           Mr.Nancybegantosnore,andShadowglancedoverathim.Theoldmanstilllookedverygray,andhisbreathwasrasping.Shadowwondered,notforthefirsttime,ifhehadsustainedsomekindofchestorlunginjuryinthefight.Nancyhadrefusedanymedicalattention.

           FloridawentonforlongerthanShadowhadimagined,anditwaslatebythetimehepulledupoutsideasmall,one-storywoodenhouse,itswindowstightlyshuttered,ontheoutskirtsofFortPierce.Nancy,whohaddirectedhimthroughthelastfivemiles,invitedhimtostaythenight.

           "Icangetaroominamotel,"saidShadow."It’snotaproblem."

           "Youcoulddothat,andI’dbehurt.ObviouslyIwouldn’tsayanythin’.ButI’dberealhurt,realbad,"saidMr.Nancy."Soyoubetterstayhere,andI’llmakeyouabeduponthecouch."

           Mr.Nancyunlockedthehurricaneshutters,andpulledopenthewindows.