Американские боги

           "Alltheyhadleftinyoursize,"hesaid."Unlessyouwantedgumboots.Ifiguredyoudidn’t."

           Shadowpulledonthesocksandtheboots.Theyfittedfine."Thanks,"hesaid.

           "Yougotacar?"askedMulligan.

           "It’sparkedbytheroaddowntothelake.Nearthebridge."

           MulliganstartedthecarandpulledoutoftheHenning’sparkinglot.

           "WhathappenedtoAudrey?"askedShadow.

           "Dayaftertheytookyouaway,shesaidshelikedmeasafriend,butitwouldneverworkoutbetweenus,usbeingfamilyandall,andshewentbacktoEaglePoint.Brokemygosh-darnheart."

           "Makessense,"saidShadow."Anditwasn’tpersonal.Hinzelmanndidn’tneedherhereanymore."

           TheydrovebackpastHinzelmann’shouse.Athickplumeofwhitesmokewascomingupfromthechimney.

           "Sheonlycametotownbecausehewantedherhere.Shewassomethingtohelphimtogetmeoutoftown.Iwasbringingattentionhedidn’tneed."

           "Ithoughtshelikedme."

           TheypulledupbesideShadow’srentalcar."Whatareyougoingtodonow?"askedShadow."Idon’tknow,"saidMulligan.HisnormallyharassedfacewasstartingtolookmorealivethanithadatanypointsinceHinzelmann’sden.Italsolookedmoretroubled."Ifigure,Igotacoupleofchoices.