Американские боги

           Mygutsache,andmybackhurts,andIcoughmychestaparteverymorning."

           "Whyyouarestandingatthedoor?"askedawoman’svoice.ShadowlookedoverCzernobog’sshoulder,attheoldwomanstandingbehindhim.Shewassmallerandfrailerthanhersister,butherhairwaslongandstillgolden."IamZoryaUtrennyaya,"shesaid."Youmustnotstandthereinthehall.Youmustgoin,sitdown.Iwillbringyoucoffee."

           Throughthedoorwayintoanapartmentthatsmeltedlikeoverboiledcabbageandcatboxandunfilteredforeigncigarettes,andtheywereusheredthroughatinyhallwaypastseveralcloseddoorstothesittingroomatthefarendofthecorridor,andwereseatedonahugeoldhorsehairsofa,disturbinganelderlygraycatintheprocess,whostretched,stoodup,andwalked,stiffly,toadistantpartofthesofa,wherehelaydown,warilystaredateachoftheminturn,thenclosedoneeyeandwentbacktosleep.Czernobogsatinanarmchairacrossfromthem.

           ZoryaUtrennyayafoundanemptyashtrayandplaceditbesideCzernobog."Howyouwantyourcoffee?"sheaskedherguests."Herewetakeitblackasnight,sweetassin."

           "That’llbefine,ma’am,"saidShadow.Helookedoutofthewindow,atthebuildingsacrossthestreet.

           ZoryaUtrennyayawentout.Czernobogstaredatherassheleft."That’sagoodwoman,"hesaid."Notlikehersisters.Oneofthemisaharpy,theother,allshedoesissleep."Heputhisslipperedfeetuponalong,lowcoffeetable,achessboardinsetinthemiddle,cigaretteburnsandmugringsonitssurface.