“I can show you where I live,” she said.
“No.” His voice was gruff.
“It isn’t far away,” she urged mildly. “Just a short ride. Not even twenty minutes.”
“I don’t want to go there.”
“Any special reason?”
Again he couldn’t answer.
She said, “It’s very nice uptown.”
“I bet it is.” He spoke between his teeth. “A damn sight nicer than it is down here.”
“That isn’t what I meant.”
“I know what you meant.” His hands put a tight grip on the edge of the seat. “Do me a favor, will you? Quit trying to put things on an equal basis. You’re from up there and I’m from down here. Let’s leave it that way.”