Aaron and Mei Ling entered their theater box to find another couple there, who looked around as they entered.
"Cousin Mei? Mr. Zakhrov?" exclaimed the man in surprise, while the woman smiled and waved.
Recognition flashed in Aaron’s eyes. "Ms. Kate? Father Abel? You look very different without your cassock," he responded.
Father Abel chuckled.
He was dressed in an expensive-looking sharp black suit, with a black cleric shirt.
A small golden Society of Jesus pendant pinned to his suit lapel was the only indication of his profession as a priest.
He stood up to shake hands with Aaron.
"I see you’ve met my cousin. And I believe you already know my college classmate Kate Summers," he said as Kate smiled warmly at Aaron.
"It’s good to see you again young master Aaron" she said as she shook his hand.
"Likewise Ms. Kate." he said.
"So, what brings you here Mei?" asked Father Abel as Aaron and Mei Ling took their seats.
"Young master Aaron was kind enough to ask me to be his escort for the evening," said Mei Ling.
"It’s my 13th birthday. Father took me to Mr. Thompson’s shop to get me fitted for a suit before coming here," explained Aaron.
Father Abel raised his eyebrows. "I see! Happy birthday, Aaron," he said.
"Thank you, Father Abel," replied Aaron.
Just as the curtain was about to rise, the door to the box opened, and Ivan entered with a sulking Annette on his arm.
The curtain rose and the play began. It was a symphonic power metal adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera with a Norwegian symphonic power metal band collaborating with a Broadway orchestra and theater group.
Aaron watched the play with rapt attention, the symphonic power metal music and the deep, gravelly voice of the actor playing the Phantom resonating deep within him. He now knew what kind of image and voice he wanted to project.
During the intermission, Kate and Mei Ling quickly took charge of Annette, hauling her reluctant, partially shaved form off to the ladies’ room.
Aaron, sensing that Father Abel wanted to speak to Ivan privately, excused himself as well, exiting the box to buy a soda.
As soon as they were alone, Father Abel turned to speak with Ivan.
"You and Aaron seem to be getting along quite well. I heard you even let him drive?" he asked Ivan.
"Well, I’m doing what I think I can to help him socialize," said Ivan cautiously. He felt that these new experiences were a net positive for Aaron, but still felt a little doubtful, and was grateful that he ran into Father Abel.
"It appears to have some positive effects. Aaron seems to be opening up and has gained more confidence in his interactions with women," observed Father Abel. "However, I feel it is coming at a cost to Annette. You are pushing her well past her comfort zone," he cautioned.
Ivan nodded. "I know Father, but she is a little too rigid with Aaron. She has started to view his preferences and choices as odd, and potentially problematic. While I find them unusual myself, it does seem to work for him," sighed Ivan.
"I would also venture that Annette holds different views from Kate and Mei Ling. She believes that they are a bad influence on Aaron," said Father Abel.
"That’s complete nonsense! Mei Ling is a beautiful and intelligent woman and so is Kate! I’m sure your cousin and your friend from college would never be a bad influence!" said Ivan.
"You and I know that Ivan, but Annette feels that they are encouraging Aaron to adopt a more dominant persona around women and that is not something she wants Aaron to cultivate," said Father Abel seriously.
"So you’re saying she feels Kate and Mei Ling’s encouraging Aaron to be more assertive is harmful," sighed Ivan.
Father Abel shook his head. "I’m afraid it is more complicated than that. Assertiveness is essential to prevent you from being taken advantage of.
However, Aaron also has a strong desire for controlling his environment.
Right now, he is practicing control over himself.
Before you arrived, both Mei Ling and Kate attempted to tease him and get him to choose which of them he found more attractive, his ability to control his adolescent impulses was almost inhuman.
When he reached the limit of his patience, he stood up and commanded them to stop, and they meekly obeyed.
His command seemed to have a profound effect on at least Kate.
I couldn’t ask Mei’s thoughts," he said worriedly.
Ivan scowled at Father Abel. "What are you trying to tell me?
That Aaron is not attracted to women but just wants to control them?" he demanded.
Father Abel sighed. "Aaron is definitely attracted to both of them. However, he refused to get caught up in their teasing game.
Which means that he values control in a relationship. In moderation, this can be a good thing, but it can be dangerous and harmful to both Aaron and whoever he is with if it goes too far" he explained, as Aaron returned to the box with a tray of sodas.