Chapter 3: The Driving Lesson
The black BMW M5 rumbled through the busy Boston traffic, its twin turbochargers adding a satisfying whistle as the engine revved through precise gear changes executed by its automatic transmission.
Aaron, dressed in his new school uniform was sitting in the front passenger seat, his regular clothes in the large bag Sophia had given him.
Ivan, driving the car, shot a sideways glance at Aaron, the uniform had seemed to have awakened something in Aaron that Ivan wasn’t sure if he liked or understood.
He glanced at the crucifix of the rosary hanging from the rearview mirror of the car offering a silent prayer that Aaron would grow out of this strangely domineering phase.
"What is my maximum budget for the new school laptop, Father?" asked Aaron, as Ivan pulled into the mall’s parking lot.
"2000," said Ivan, following Aaron as he walked straight to the computer shop.
"I think I’ll get this one," said Aaron, running his hand almost reverentially over a massive 17-inch black laptop with large vents and angular molded plastic bodywork.
"Are you sure son? It might be too heavy to lug around every day," Ivan asked Aaron.
Aaron carefully picked up the display laptop and hefted it experimentally. "Yes, it will be fine," he said.
Ivan shrugged, the laptop was within budget, and it seemed high quality and durable. "Alright," he said pulling out his card.
On the way back home, Ivan couldn’t resist asking. "Why did you decide to wear the uniform out of the shop?"