Annette found herself in Father Abel's office the day after Ivan's
appointment 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
met her.
Father Abel for his
part, retained his stern demeanor.
"Has Mr.
Zakhrov told you why I asked to meet with you separately Mrs.
Zakhrov?" he asked her
"He did.
Something about Aaron witnessing a fight between us when he was 10"
said Annette.
"More
specifically, he witnessed the argument about the BMW M5," said
Father Abel
"Oh," said
Annette, unsure of herself.
"What can you
tell me about the altercation?" asked Father Abel
"Um, I don't
remember 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 remember much of the argument!" snapped Annette
defensively.
"Alright
Annette, tell me what you do remember," said Father Abel.
"Well, I
remember that Ivan had gone to work with Aaron, he had told me 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 someone 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 me 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 some
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 remember him saying that it was his car and he can do
whatever he wants with it and that he'd hit me 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.
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Annette squirmed
uncomfortably in her chair. "I-I may have said something to that
effect" she mumbled unable to meet Father Abel's eyes.
"Alright, tell
me why you were so opposed to the car that you threatened divorce?"
asked Father Abel. He was growing less sympathetic to Annette by the
minute.
Fire lit up in
Annette's eyes
"It is big and
loud! A clear representation of toxic masculinity! I almost die of
embarrassment every time Ivan starts that horrible thing with its
rumbling and whistling! It goes way too fast for me 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
remember 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 me 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 me
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 name correct?"
asked Father Abel.
"Yes,"
said Annette, bewildered that Father Abel had such a detailed account
of an argument that happened 3 years ago.
"Do you
remember 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 something like this again, then we are done.
And I don't care if you hate me 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 argument," said Father Abel
looking sternly at Annette.
"What?"
asked Annette defensively.
"Drop the
amnesia act Annette! I know you remember 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 remembers 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 men?" he asked wearily.
"Feminism is
essential to modern society! I believe men have been able to get away
and oppress women 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 me
hyphenate! I should have dumped him then, but he was the best person
I had met, and I had met 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 me! He should know his place and just accept that women know
better!" ranted Annette, confirming Father Abel's suspicion that
Annette had much stronger convictions than Ivan had alluded to.
"Alright
Annette, you can leave now. I think I have enough information to come
up with a plan for Aaron to properly socialize," sighed Father
Abel as Annette got up to leave.
