Family Man

hoisted his books. “Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Can I borrow your car tonight? Some of the guys are going to a show in town.”
    Katy froze. Lately Matt was requesting the car more and more often and staying out until all hours. It was getting difficult to control his actions. He was a good kid, Katy reminded herself, and Dragon Bay was a small town, but she could not help but worry.
    “The last time you went to a show with your friends, you didn't get in until two in the morning, Matt.”
    “I told you, we were just messing around at Jeff's place.”
    “It turned out that Jeff's folks were out of town that weekend.” Katy was acutely conscious of Luke listening to the exchange. “They had not given Jeff permission to have friends over.”
    Matt gave her a disgusted look. “Stop worrying, Katy. How much trouble can anyone get into in this dumb burg? Besides, I'm almost eighteen. I'm not a kid anymore.”
    Katy steeled herself. These small skirmishes with Matt were becoming increasingly unpleasant. She wished Luke was not a spectator this morning. Things were difficult enough as it was. “Matt, you can take the car, but I want you home by ten. It's a school night.”
    “Ah, come on, Katy, everyone else has a midnight curfew on school nights.”
    Katy felt herself turning red under Luke's watchful eyes. “Please don't argue, Matt,” she said tightly. “We agreed a long time ago that ten o'clock was curfew on school nights. What about your homework?”
    “I'll get it done during study hall.”
    Katy flicked an embarrassed glance at Luke and then frowned at her brother. “We'll talk about it this afternoon when you get home.”
    Matt rolled his eyes. “Come on, Katy, you're not my mother. I'll see you later.” He started for the door.
    “Hang on a second,” Luke said quietly.
    Matt hesitated. “Yeah?”
    “You have a part-time job?”
    “Sure. All the guys do. Me and some of the others work at the new fast food place on Bay Street.”
    Luke nodded. “I know it. You want to hang onto that job?”
    “Well, sure.” Matt was becoming increasingly bewildered. “It pays for my gas and stuff.”
    “Then be in by ten on school nights. Got it?”
    “Huh?” Matt stared at him.
    “You heard me,” Luke said. “I agree with your sister. Ten is late enough on school nights. Hell, you probably shouldn't be going out at all during the week.”
    “Are you crazy?” Matt started to turn red with anger.
    “My mental health is not your problem. Your problem is that as long as your sister works for me I've got a vested interest in her peace of mind. I don't want her attention distracted from her job during the day. That means I don't want her worrying about what you're up to at night.”
    “Who the hell do you think you are?” Matt demanded. “You can't get me fired.”
    Luke smiled. “Don't kid yourself. I can get you canned in a minute if I decide to do it. Your friends, too, for that matter. All I have to do is have a little talk with the owner of that fast food franchise on Bay Street. He'll see things my way.”
    “Why would he do what you tell him to do?” Matt challenged.
    “I helped him arrange the financing on that restaurant and the two others he owns. Let's just say he's very grateful to me. If you want to keep the job, be in by ten.”
    Matt looked stunned. “I don't believe this.” He turned to Katy. “Are you going to let him issue orders like that? This is our house.”
    Katy was too busy reeling from the shock of Luke's interference to find her voice. “Uh…”
    “Take off, Matt,” Luke ordered easily. “I'll see you when I get back. Thanks again for looking after Zeke.”
    “Jesus Christ,” Matt growled. He was clearly struggling to control his anger in deference to the fact that Luke was Katy's employer.
    “Don't swear in front of your sister.”
    Matt gave him one last furious glare and then slammed out of the cottage.
    Katy sat fuming at the table until the front door closed behind her brother. Then she leapt to her feet. “Don't you ever interfere like that between my brother and me again, do you understand? Our problems have nothing to do with you!”
    Luke regarded her with unreadable eyes. “I don't think you know much about seventeen-year-old boys.”
    “And you do?” she raged.
    “More than you do. I was one once.”
    “Is that right?”
    “Right. The thing to remember about seventeen-year-old boys is that you have to use the carrot-and-stick approach. And