“No, but the school board eats lunch at the chamber dinners.” He set the pot on the burner and didn’t turn it on.

“Derek’s wife runs the athletics booster club.

Her husband runs underwriting at your company.

I sat two seats away from him in October, and he picked up the check for the whole table.”

“He paid for a table, Kevin.

He didn’t buy you.”

“That isn’t how it works, and you know it isn’t.” He glanced at his watch, then at the stove clock, as if the two of them might not agree.

“I’m up for department chair in May.”