"He's your uncle, and he's only being friendly. Don't yell." Her mother's typical serene expression cracked around the edges with a tenseness around the eyes and mouth. A light blush appeared in the cheeks. Kate didn't care. Maybe Mom getting a bit upset would help her see what was going on around her. "I'm not yelling," Kate said, purposely lowering her voice. "I will not allow him to tell me what classes to take, or what to wear, or any of the other trillion things he wants. Six months since we arrived and it's all about control." The engines on the small shuttle behind her wound up. A few passengers hurried by them to board, casting them curious glances. Kate ignored them. "He's only trying to help you grow up to be a responsible young lady," her mother tried again. The same old argument. "Even if he were my father I wouldn't allow it. Or have you forgotten about all that daddy dearest did to us?" This time her mother's face went pale. Kate instantly felt horrible. Did she really need to say that part?
