Американские боги

           Hepulledhisarmsfromhiscoat,fumbledwithnumbfingersatthefrozenzipper.Thenhepulledbothhandsoneachsideofthezipper,feltthecoatgiveandrend.Hastily,hefreedhimselffromitsembrace,andpushedupward,awayfromthecar.

           Therewasarushingsensationbutnosenseofup,nosenseofdown,andhewaschokingandthepaininhischestandinhisheadwastoomuchtobear,sothathewascertainthathewasgoingtohavetoinhale,tobreatheinthecoldwater,todie.Andthenhisheadhitsomethingsolid.

           Ice.Hewaspushingagainsttheiceonthetopofthelake.Hehammeredatitwithhisfists,buttherewasnostrengthleftinhisarms,nothingtoholdonto,nothingtopushagainst.Theworldhaddissolvedintothechillblacknessbeneaththelake.Therewasnothingleftbutcold.

           Thisisridiculous,hethought.Andhethought,rememberingsomeoldTonyCurtisfilmhe’dseenasakid,Ishouldrollontomybackandpushtheiceupwardandpressmyfacetoit,andfindsomeair,Icouldbreatheagain,there’sairtheresomewhere,buthewasjustfloatingandfreezingandhecouldnolongermoveamuscle,notifhislifedependedonit,whichitdid.

           Thecoldbecamebearable.Becamewarm.Andhethought,I’mdying.Therewasangertherethistime,adeepfury,andhetookthepainandtheangerandreachedwithit,flailed,forcedmusclestomovethatwereresignednevertomoveagain.