Американские боги

           "Hehadafinevoice,andbytheendthehandfulofpeoplestillinthebarwerecheeringandapplaudinghim.

           WhenhecamebacktoShadowatthebarhewaslookingbrighter.Thewhitesofhiseyeswereclear,andthegraypallorthathadtouchedhisskinwasgone."Yourturn,"hesaid.

           "Absolutelynot,"saidShadow.

           ButMr.NancyhadorderedmorebeersandwashandingShadowastainedprintoutofsongsfromwhichtochoose."Justpickasongyouknowthewordsto."

           "Thisisnotfunny,"saidShadow.Theworldwasbeginningtoswim,alittle,buthecouldn’tmustertheenergytoargue,andthenMr.Nancywasputtingonthebackingtapeto"Don’tLetMeBeMisunderstood,"andpushing—literallypushing—Shadowupontothetinymakeshiftstageattheendofthebar.

           Shadowheldthemikeasifitwasprobablylive,andthenthebackingmusicstartedandhecroakedouttheinitial"Baby…"Nobodyinthebarthrewanythinginhisdirection.Anditfeltgood."Canyouunderstandmenow?"Hisvoicewasroughbutmelodic,androughsuitedthesongjustfine."SometimesIfeelalittlemad.Don’tyouknowthatnoonealivecanalwaysbeanangel…"

           AndhewasstillsingingitastheywalkedhomethroughthebusyFloridanight,theoldmanandtheyoung,stumblingandhappy.