The Moon in the Gutter

by Goodis David

There was a strange thick feeling in his throat. He wanted to look at her and he was afraid to look at her.

“Of course,” she murmured, “I could be wrong about this. Maybe you just don’t go for my type.”

“Let it ride.”

“I can’t.”

“That’s tough,” he said.

“For both of us.”

“Not for me.”

“You’re lying,” she said. “You know you’re lying.”

His fingers gripped the door handle. He begged himself to open the door and get out and walk away.

He heard her saying, “You excite me.”