“I can’t see it that way. You see,” he said carefully, “I’ve got plenty of friends. Fellows. I wanted a girl. It’s too much trouble, having a girl for a friend. That isn’t what a girl is for. I mean, why take the trouble?”
“Oh,” she said. She hesitated, looking out the open door at the road. “Well, then....” she paused. He said nothing. “Well, then. I didn’t know that was how you felt.”
“Everybody feels that way, I should think,” he said.
“Oh! I’m sorry. Well, then ... goodbye.”
“Good-bye,” he said. He didn’t even stand up. “Take care of yourself,” he added suddenly, and then he looked away for as long as the door was still open.
She walked as fast as she could, trying to start thinking about something. She couldn’t think. She was feeling numb and stupid. If she started to think there would be too much in her mind. But something must be done. Something would have to happen in a minute. She almost ran down the street, away from the house. Her own fault for going out with him at all. She should never have gone out with him or with anybody unless she was going to sleep with them ultimately. Letting them take her to dinner, fooling them and riding around in their cars just on the strength of a false promise. That was the way they all felt.... Wasn’t there anyone who just liked her? Was there anyone who felt the way she did, just going along without making plans about getting things from other people? Just talking and letting things happen? She stumbled on a rock in the road, and kicked it furiously aside. Crossing a bridge at the aqueduct, she stopped for breath, and felt tears on her cheeks. She must have been making a noise all the way along the road. How horrible. Everything. How shameful. As soon as he saw it was no use he didn’t even take her home. Well, if that was nature.... But what a lonely world. Everybody.... Perhaps even old Mr. Dunstan. After this it wouldn’t be right for Mr. Dunstan to buy her Coca Colas when she met him in the plaza.
A car ran across the bridge and almost grazed her; its driver did not see her in the dark. It was very late. She blew her nose at last and it was as if she blew all her thoughts, too, into the handkerchief. She tiptoed into the house, but Flo was awake, propped up in her bed, with a book and a Hershey bar.
“What’s the matter?” said Flo. “You’ve been crying. Or shouldn’t I notice?”
“I’m sore at everybody,” said Gin. She walked over to her bed and began to take off her shoes. “No,” she said suddenly. “I’m damned if I’ll just go to bed. Let’s go out for a walk.”
“What? You’re crazy. Tell me what’s happened.”