Американские боги

           Hewastiredandweak:deeplyfatigued,butalive.Alogfireburnedinthefireplace.Ahandfulofsurprised-lookingdeerheadspeereddowndustilyfromaroundthewalls,wheretheyjostledforspacewithseverallargevarnishedfish.

           HinzelmannwentawaywithShadow’sjeans,andfromtheroomnextdoorShadowcouldhearabriefpauseintherattleofaclothesdryer,beforeitresumed.Theoldmanreturnedwithasteamingmug.

           "It’scoffee,"hesaid,"whichisastimulant.AndIsplashedalittleschnappsintoit.Justalittle.That’swhatwealwaysdidintheolddays.Adoctorwouldn’trecommendit."

           Shadowtookthecoffeewithbothhands.Onthesideofthemugwasapictureofamosquitoandthemessage,GIVEBLOOD—VISITWISCONSIN!!

           "Thanks,"hesaid.

           "It’swhatfriendsarefor,"saidHinzelmann."Oneday,youcansavemylife.Fornow,forgetaboutit."

           Shadowsippedthecoffee."IthoughtIwasdead."

           "Youwerelucky.Iwasuponthebridge—I’dprettymuchfiguredthattodaywasgoingtobethebigday,yougetafeelforit,whenyougettomyage—soIwasuptherewithmyoldpocketwatch,andIsawyouheadingoutontothelake.Ishouted,butIsureasheckdon’tthinkyoucouldaheardme.Isawthecargodown,andIsawyougodownwithit,andIthoughtI’dlostyou,soIwentoutontotheice.Gavemetheheebie-jeebies.