Американские боги

           Hegotupthenextmorning,andrealizedhisclothesstillsmelledlikethebottomofthelake.Heputthemonanyway.Hefiguredhewouldn’tneedthemmuchlonger.

           Shadowpaidhisbill.Hedrovetothebrownstoneapartmentbuilding.Hefounditwithoutanydifficulty.Itwassmallerthanheremembered.

           Hewalkedupthestairssteadily,notfast,thatwouldhavemeanthewaseagertogotohisdeath,andnotslow,thatwouldhavemeanthewasafraid.Someonehadcleanedthestairwell:theblackgarbagebagshadgone.Theplacesmelledofthechlorine-smellofbleach,nolongerofrottingvegetables.

           Thered-painteddooratthetopofthestairswaswideopen:thesmellofoldmealshungintheair.Shadowhesitated,thenhepressedthedoorbell.

           "Icome!"calledawoman’svoice,and,dwarf-smallanddazzlinglyblonde,ZoryaUtrennyayacameoutofthekitchenandbustledtowardshim,wipingherhandsonherapron.Shelookeddifferent,Shadowrealized.Shelookedhappy.Hercheekswererougedred,andtherewasasparkleinheroldeyes.WhenshesawhimhermouthbecameanOandshecalledout,"Shadow?Youcamebacktous?"andshehurriedtowardhimwithherarmsoutstretched.Hebentdownandembracedher,andshekissedhischeek."Sogoodtoseeyou!"shesaid."Nowyoumustgoaway."

           Shadowsteppedintotheapartment.