Elijah was surprised when she continued to hold on. He didn't want to be cruel and push her away. The constable looked down at her, pleading with his eyes she didn't force the issue. The man was being honest that he didn't want someone barely an adult, though that was the lesser of his personal reasons.

"We aren't all the same, Ruth. I am being honest that you would be happier with someone else. And that I can not give you what you want, and it isn't against you. You are barely an adult, kids or not. I'm thirty years old. That's over ten years. I was already quite a grown boy when you were born." he said. He honestly didn't know if he could tell her the truth, if she'd believe him, and worse, if she'd be angry or disgusted at him. "I am here for you Ruth but I.. I just can't."