Annette found herself in Father Abel’s office the day after Ivan’s appointnt with him. Unlike Ivan who was nervous, Annette was cool and collected.
She looked at Father Abel with none of the warmth or concern that she had when he first t her.
Father Abel for his part, retained his stern deanor.
"Has Mr. Zakhrov told you why I asked to et with you separately Mrs. Zakhrov?" he asked her
"He did. Sothing about Aaron witnessing a fight between us when he was 10" said Annette.
"More specifically, he witnessed the argunt about the BMW M5," said Father Abel
"Oh," said Annette, unsure of herself.
"What can you tell about the altercation?" asked Father Abel
"Um, I don’t rember much of it. I had drunk quite a bit of wine, and I woke up the next morning with a splitting headache," said Annette.
Father Abel frowned at her, clearly not believing her story.
"What? It’s true! I don’t rember much of the argunt!" snapped Annette defensively.
"Alright Annette, tell what you do rember," said Father Abel.
"Well, I rember that Ivan had gone to work with Aaron, he had told that he was going to show Aaron around at MIT. I had gotten back from work, and was getting dinner ready, when I heard this incredibly loud rumbling and whistling noise.
I thought soone was joyriding outside on the street, so I opened the front door to tell them to scram.
Instead, I find this massive, black monstrosity rumbling in the driveway with Ivan and Aaron happily waving to from the inside! I was furious!
When did Ivan get the money to afford that symbol of toxic masculinity? And how dare he take Aaron for a joyride in it!
It was totally unacceptable that Ivan would spend all that money on so flashy sports car instead of putting it away for Aaron or even better, save it for old age!
Anyway, I finished cooking dinner, cracked open my favorite wine and then confronted Ivan about it. I vaguely rember him saying that it was his car and he can do whatever he wants with it and that he’d hit if I say anything else," finished Annette.
"I see" said Father Abel flipping through his notes.
"’You can keep this excuse for toxic masculinity that you call a car, but I am leaving you, and taking Aaron and everything you have. Is that clear in that thick skull of yours you pathetic excuse for a man?’ Does that ring any bells?" he asked her.
Annette squird uncomfortably in her chair. "I-I may have said sothing to that effect," she mumbled unable to et Father Abel’s eyes.
"Alright, tell why you were so opposed to the car that you threatened divorce?" asked Father Abel.
Fire lit up in Annette’s eyes
"It is big and loud! A clear representation of toxic masculinity! I almost die of embarrassnt every ti Ivan starts that horrible thing with its rumbling and whistling!
It goes way too fast for to ever be comfortable in it. I hate it! I hate it with every fiber of my being! If only Ivan would sell it without making a fuss!" she ranted.
"I see, do you rember what convinced you to stay with him then?" asked Father Abel.
"Well I think he did say he would sell it and cried that I was cruel for using Aaron against him, I suppose that made feel a bit guilty," said Annette.
"’Fine. I will sell the car, but know this. You will no longer be my wife. I will be staying, only because of Aaron. You are nothing and nobody to anymore.
You dared to use our own son, our flesh and blood as a bargaining chip. I hate you with every fiber of my being. Enjoy the new status quo Ms. Petra’ Petra is your maiden na correct?" asked Father Abel.
"Yes," said Annette, bewildered that Father Abel had such a detailed account of an argunt that happened 3 years ago.
"Do you rember what you responded to that?" asked Father Abel.
"I think I said Ivan could keep it?" ventured Annette.
"’Alright fine, you can keep that monstrosity but if I find out that you have gone behind my back and done sothing like this again, then we are done.
And I don’t care if you hate or not, you will set a good example for Aaron by doing whatever I say. Is that clear Ivan Zakhrov?’ I believe that was what closed out the argunt," said Father Abel looking sternly at Annette.
"What?" asked Annette defensively.
"Drop the amnesia act Annette! I know you rember everything from that night!" growled Father Abel.
"I don’t have to explain myself to you!" snapped Annette.
"Do you know or even care that Aaron witnessed that fight of yours? That it affected him so deeply that he still rembers it in vivid detail?
Oh, and this is even better. He actually recorded most of it on his phone!" thundered Father Abel.
"He did what? How dare he! I raised him better than to record people’s private conversations!" shouted Annette, unfazed by Father Abel’s thunder.
Father Abel sighed and rubbed his temples. "Last question Annette, what are your views on feminism and n?" he asked wearily.
"Feminism is essential to modern society! I believe n have been able to get away and oppress won for far too long!
In fact, I wanted a wife-led-marriage, but Ivan refused saying he wanted a degree of autonomy.
And my misogynistic parents and in-laws refused to let hyphenate!
I should have dumped him then, but he was the best person I had t, and I had t a lot!
Even still, I made it clear to him that I had the final say in everything. Oh, how I hate it when he defies !
He should know his place and just accept that won know better!" ranted Annette.
"Alright Annette, you can leave now. I think I have enough information to co up with a plan for Aaron to properly socialize," sighed Father Abel as Annette got up to leave.
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