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 coldly, surveying Father Able with a touch of contempt.
Her opinion of Father Abel was in tatters after she had seen his horrible big black and loud motorcycle, and realized that he was acquainted with that tramp Kate and was cousin to that horrible minx Mei Ling.
"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 coldly.
"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.
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.
"U-um 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 sexist and misogynistic 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?' 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 and 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, his eyes boring into Annette.
"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 Able sighed and rubbed his temples. He was shocked by Annette's cavalier attitude and lack of remorse. She truly believed she had won the argument and that she was _letting_ Ivan keep the car instead of being forced to accept it or risk losing Ivan's love and support. Even worse, she was more angry and worried that Aaron had recorded the fight instead of regretting that her 10-year-old child had heard her threaten to take him away from his father.
"Last question Annette, what are your views on feminism and men?" asked Father Abel wearily. He had felt that Ivan had been exaggerating during his interview, but now he felt that Ivan was actually downplaying it.
"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.