Overprotective Parents (2)

He could feel his father's gaze on him, torn between pride and caution, but Scott stayed focused on his mother, trying to reason with her. "Mom, this isn't 'some project.' This is everything I've been working toward. It's a chance to make a difference, to actually help people. I'm not giving up my job, I'm expanding it."

His mother shook her head, her frown deepening. "No, Scott. You're too young for this. They shouldn't be putting this responsibility on you. And I don't want you running off to some unfamiliar place, doing who knows what. It's just… not safe."

Scott felt his frustration bubbling over, his hands clenching under the table. "Mom, I'm not a kid anymore. I can handle this. And they wouldn't have chosen me if they didn't think I could do it."