Stiffening in Tyler's lap, there was no time for Ele to make a quick escape to the bedroom before Tyler's mom came in. Her direct words brought Ele up short and, despite her best effort to maintain eye contact, Ele's eyes fell away from the older woman to lock on the floor. 

Swallowing hard, Ele managed to force out a few words,

"What did Vale tell you?"

Her voice shook, and was barely above a whisper, but Ele was trying even as she clenched her hands in fists, trying to stop them from trembling,