Американские боги

           Hetookahammerout,andheftedit,experimentally.Thehammerlookedlikeascaled-downsledgehammer;itswoodenhaftwasstained.Thenhestoodup.Hesaid,"Ioweyoumuch.Morethanyouknow.Becauseofyou,thingsarechanging.Thisisspringtime.Thetruespring."

           "IknowwhatIdid,"saidShadow."Ididn’thavealotofchoice."

           Czernobognodded.TherewasalookinhiseyesthatShadowdidnotrememberseeingbefore."DidIevertellyouaboutmybrother?"

           "Bielebog?"Shadowwalkedtothecenteroftheash-stainedcarpet.Hewentdownonhisknees."Yousaidyouhadn’tseenhiminalongtime."

           "Yes,"saidtheoldman,raisingthehammer."Ithasbeenalongwinter,boy.Averylongwinter.Butthewinterisending,now."Andheshookhishead,slowly,asifhewererememberingsomething.Andhesaid,"Closeyoureyes."

           Shadowclosedhiseyesandraisedhishead,andhewaited.

           Theheadofthesledgehammerwascold,icycold,andittouchedhisforeheadasgentlyasakiss.

           "Pock!There,"saidCzernobog."Isdone."TherewasasmileonhisfacethatShadowhadneverseenbefore,aneasy,comfortablesmile,likesunshineonasummer’sday.Theoldmanwalkedovertothecase,andheputthehammeraway,andclosedthebag,andpusheditbackunderthesideboard.

           "Czernobog?"askedShadow.Then,"AreyouCzernobog?"

           "Yes.