"Where are we going Father?" asked Aaron as the BMW M5 rumbled along the highway. Ivan carefully controlling the acceleration so that Annette didn’t get unnerved.
"Well it’s not every day that my boy turns 13. I thought we’d do something a little different this year" said Ivan as they turned to an exit.
They pulled into the parking lot of an upscale tailoring and shoe shop that specialized in men’s suits and shoes.
Ivan noticed Aaron’s eyes flash with excitement in the rearview mirror and smiled to himself.
"Welcome to Thompson’s suiting. I’m Thompson the owner, how may I help you?" a tall imposing man dressed in a black pinstriped 3-piece suit greeted them in an impeccable British accent.
Ivan clapped Aaron on the back.
"My boy here has just turned 13. He seemed to really like the formal look of his new school uniform, so I thought getting him a properly tailored suit might be a good thing," he explained.
Mr. Thompson bowed. "You do your generation credit young man. Most teenagers gravitate towards filthy and torn rags these days," he said.
Aaron inclined his head as well. "Thank you, Mr. Thompson. May I take a look at your fabrics?"
Mr. Thompson nodded and addressed Ivan and Annette.
"I admire your parenting skills. You have raised a most civilized young man." he said causing Ivan to beam with pride and Annette to frown.
Aaron was mesmerized by the bolts of high quality fabrics and the smell of wood as he looked around the shop, running his hands over each bolt of fabric, feeling the texture.
He came across a roll of supple black leather and felt a surge of electricity go through him as he ran his hand along its soft, supple surface and its distinctive smell tickled his nostrils.
He let out a sigh, took a deep breath and regained his Stoic composure.
"Excuse me Mr. Thompson, do you make suits with this leather?" he asked.
"Only the blazer and sometimes the pants. However, I must warn you that the tailoring of leather is quite expensive" replied Mr. Thompson
"I see. Father, I would like a black leather suit if we can afford it please" said Aaron, his Stoic demeanor cracking a little, his eyes shining with hope.
"Well Aaron, if it is what you truly want I don’t mind splurging a bit. How much would it cost Mr. Thompson?" asked Ivan, as Annette suppressed a groan.
Mr. Thompson looked between the 3 of them slyly.
"I’ll make you a deal Mr. Zakhrov. The total cost of materials will be 2000.
As a token of my admiration to you for raising such an impressive young man, I shall waive the tailoring costs." he told Ivan.
"We have a deal." said Ivan.
Mr. Thompson snapped his fingers and a beautiful young woman, dressed in a perfectly tailored black skirt suit and high heels materialized from the back of the shop.
"Escort Mrs. Zakhrov to the waiting room." he ordered her.
"This way, ma’am," said the woman with a slight Mandarin lilt and steered a dazed Annette with surprising strength for her small frame towards the waiting room.
After Aaron’s fitting, he and Ivan returned to the waiting room to find Annette sitting on a sofa with a steaming cup of tea, the young woman standing beside her like some sort of guard.
"Good day gentlemen. I’m Mei Ling, Mr. Thompson’s assistant," the woman introduced herself with a slight bow.
"Hello, Ms. Ling," said Aaron in his usual clipped voice while Ivan inclined his head politely.
"You know. I don’t appreciate you two acting like I’m not even here!" snapped Annette.
"Now dear, Aaron and I just got a little carried away. We didn’t mean to ignore you," said Ivan.
"Black leather Aaron? Really? And just what do you think you are doing Ivan? I think you are being far too indulgent!" snarled Annette.
"I don’t see anything out of the ordinary, people besides bikers wear leather jackets these days," said Ivan defensively while Annette glowered at him.
"Don’t you think a formal leather suit is odd Ivan? And aren’t you worried about how Aaron seems to be drawn to some bizarre things in bizarre ways?
First it was women in high heels, then it was that school uniform of his and now this fixation with leather. Where are these things coming from?" she asked, her frustration boiling over
"Mr. and Mrs. Zakhrov, it is uncivil to argue like this in front of your son" interjected Mei Ling coldly, halting their argument.
Ivan flushed. "My apologies Ms. Ling. Annette, can I speak with you outside? Aaron, stay here with Ms. Ling" he said before hauling a protesting Annette to her feet and steering her out of the shop.
----
In the store’s parking lot, Ivan hugged a sobbing Annette.
"I just want him to be normal!" wailed Annette into Ivan’s chest.
"He is normal. He just has some odd tastes and odd preferences that he’ll likely grow out of Annette. Don’t worry," said Ivan soothingly.
Annette’s sobs slowly subsided, and she regained her composure.
"I suppose you are right. But I am still worried about his odd fascinations and his cold demeanor," she said as she dried her eyes with a box of tissues Ivan held out for her.
"Well relax a little. It’s his 13th birthday. Please, let’s celebrate it and not make Aaron feel like an oddball," Ivan urged.
"All right," Annette sighed as they made their way back to the shop.
----
Aaron closed his eyes, took several deep breaths and opened them as he ran his hands over the soft black leather of his new suit.
The suit was tailored to fit him perfectly. The blazer accentuated his broadening shoulders, tapered his narrow waist and added length to his upper body.
The black leather pants were slightly wide to accommodate the black leather ankle boots, the black satin shirt and black silk tie finished off the look, giving him a sharp monochrome silhouette.
Mr. Thompson offered him a small tube of hair gel, and he slicked his thick black hair backwards.
Ivan let out a low whistle as he saw Aaron approach. "Damn son, you look good! I was skeptical at first, but damn!" he said in awe.
Mei Ling looked Aaron up and down appreciatively. "You look very handsome, young master Aaron" she complimented him, blushing slightly.
Aaron turned towards Annette, "Something wrong Mother?" he asked.
"I-I think it looks good on you," said Annette, averting her eyes from him.
"Father, the passes you got for the play admit two people each right?" asked Aaron.
"Well yes," replied Ivan unsure of where this was going and worried about Annette’s reaction to Aaron.
Aaron then turned towards Mei Ling. "Ms. Ling, This may seem forward of me, but would you like to join us for the play and dinner afterward?" he asked her
Mei Ling blushed and giggled "I would love to" she said.
"Mr. Thompson, is that alright with you?" asked Aaron.
"Oh it’s fine by me. Off you go and get changed Mei, remember it’s a black tie affair" chuckled Mr. Thompson as Mei Ling hurried to the back of the shop.
"Master Aaron, could you wait in the fitting room while I speak with your parents in private for a minute?" asked Mr. Thompson.
Aaron nodded and left for the fitting room.
"What’s wrong, Annette?" asked Ivan, his arm around Annette.
"I don’t know what came over me. I just felt he looked dangerous," said Annette holding back tears.
Ivan squeezed her shoulders in reassurance. "He may have looked intimidating, but he’s still our Aaron. You don’t have to be scared of him," he said soothingly.
"Aaron’s a very sensitive and perceptive boy. He could see that you were distressed, and his offer to Mei Ling was partly for her to keep you company Mrs. Zakhrov," said Mr. Thompson.
"And here I thought that Aaron had actually asked a girl on a date," grumbled Ivan
"Oh he did. This is just a bonus," chuckled Mr. Thompson breaking the tension and causing both Annette and Ivan to laugh.