But eventually he pulled back. He needed to lose. More men had come in. It was winners-stay-on. He wanted to get off the court so he could talk to Erik . So after they won the first three games, Myron threw one . His teammates were not pleased when Myron dribbled off his own foot, thus losing the game. Now they'd have to sit out. They bemoaned the moment but relished the fact that they'd had a great streak going. Like it mattered . Erik had a water bottle, of course. His shorts matched his shirt. His sneakers were neatly laced. His socks came up to the exact same spot on both ankles, both having the same size roll. Myron used the water fountain and sat next to him . So how's Claire? Myron tried . Fine. She does a Pilates-yoga mix now . Oh?Claire had always been into some exercise craze or another. She'd gone through the Jane Fonda leggings, the Tae Bo kicks, the Soloflex . That's where she is now, Erik said . Taking a class?Yes. During the week, she takes one at six thirty in the morning . Yikes, that's early . We're early risers . Oh? Myron saw an opening and took it. And Aimee?What about Aimee?Does she get up early too?Erik frowned. Hardly . So you're here, Myron said, and Claire is working out. Where's Aimee?She slept at a friend's last night . Oh?Teenagers, he said, as if that explained everything. Maybe it did . Trouble?You have no idea . Oh?Again with the Oh . Erik said nothing . What kind? Myron asked . Kind?Myron wanted to say Oh again, but he feared going to the well once too often. Trouble. What kind of trouble?I'm not sure I understand . I s she sullen? Myron said, again trying to sound nonchalant. Does she not listen? Does she stay up late, blow off school, spend too much time on the Internet, what?All of the above, Erik said, but now his words came out even slower, even more measured. Why do you ask?Back up, Myron thought. Just making conversation . Erik frowned. Making conversation usually consists of bemoaning the local teams . I t's nothing, Myron said. It's just . . . Just what?The party at my house . What about it?I don't know, seeing Aimee like that, I just started thinking about how tough those teenage years are . Erik's eyes narrowed. On the court someone had called a foul and someone was protesting the call. I didn't touch you! a guy with a mustache and elbow pads shouted. Then the name-calling began something else you never outgrow on a basketball court . Erik's eyes were still on the court. Did Aimee say anything to you? he asked . Like what?Like anything. I remember you were in the basement with her and Erin Wilder . Right . What did you guys talk about?Nothing. They were just goofing on me about how dated the room was .