I learned quickly that he did not like it.

Not that he said so — he was far too smooth for that.

He simply went distant and cool whenever I mentioned a deal, and warm and attentive whenever I asked about his day, and a person adjusts to that kind of weather without deciding to.

Within a year I had learned to keep my work in a separate compartment, to answer “how was your day” with something small and pleasant, to let him believe the firm mostly ran itself while I dabbled.

It was easier.

It kept the peace.