"But you get really good!" Zeke insisted, trying to help. He tried to think of something that would get across just how good she'd become. "Back when you ran with Dad, you even impressed the Coter--"

Zeke felt the last syllable of that word leave his mouth and wished for the ability to pull it back in.

"--ie."

Oops. Mom was very strict about not talking about the Coterie in front of Dad--or much at all, really. The Coterie wasn't a topic to be discussed lightly, she said. Of course, that didn't stop other people from talking about the 'old days' or Zeke from listening where he wasn't supposed to be.

"Sorry Dad," he said, wincing. "Sorry, Mom. I know I'm not s'posed to talk about it."