Американские боги

           "

           "IguessmaybeIdid,atthat.Canyouholdyourheaduponyourownnow?"

           "Maybe."

           "I’mgoingtoletyougo.IfyoustartsinkingbelowthewaterI’llpullyoubackupagain."

           Thehandsreleasedtheirgriponhishead.

           Hefelthimselfslidingforwardinthebathtub.Heputouthishands,pressedthemagainstthesidesofthetub,andleanedback.Thebathroomwassmall.Thetubwasmetal,andtheenamelwasstainedandscratched.

           Anoldmanmovedintohisfieldofvision.Helookedconcerned.

           "Feelingbetter?"askedHinzelmann."Youjustlaybackandrelax.I’vegotthedenniceandwarm.Youtellmewhenyou’reready,Igotarobeyoucanwear,andIcanthrowyourjeansintothedryerwiththerestofyourclothes.Soundgood,Mike?"

           "That’snotmyname."

           "Ifyousayso."Theoldman’sgoblinfacetwistedintoanexpressionofdiscomfort.

           Shadowhadnorealsenseoftime:helayinthebathuntiltheburningstoppedandhistoesandfingersflexedwithoutrealdiscomfort.HinzelmannhelpedShadowtohisfeetandletoutthewarmwater.Shadowsatonthesideofthebathandtogethertheypulledoffhisjeans.

           Hesqueezed,withoutmuchdifficulty,intoaterryclothrobetoosmallforhim,and,leaningontheoldman,hewentthroughtotheden,andfloppeddownonanancientsofa.