With his arm around her, Ele reflexively tensed for a moment. Closing her eyes and taking a breath, Ele forced herself to relax. She was safe here, Tyler wouldn't hurt her, it was time to trust him a bit, 

Taking another breath, Ele leaned against Tyler, just a little,

"My mom was the only family I ever knew. I don't even have a father's name on my birth certificate, and Mom claimed she was an only child and that her parents died before I could remember them."

She shrugged and bit her lip,

"Mom and I haven't spoken since I became emancipated at 15. Her parting words were, 'Fine, good riddance you ungrateful bitch.'"