We met at a little hole-in-the-wall on the south side of town.
He was already inside when I arrived.
"There he is."
"Day off? Don't have to keep the wife company?"
I shook my head.
He read something in my face and didn't push it. Just lifted his glass and clinked it against mine.
We drank the first few rounds fast, without much talking.
The place was nearly empty. The owner was behind the counter scrolling through his phone, and some news broadcast murmured from the TV on the wall.
After a few more rounds, Solomon started to open up.
"Joseph, you've gotten thin." He pointed at me. "Back at the institute, you had this energy about you. Now you look like you've aged twenty years."
I said nothing. Took another sip.
He clapped me on the shoulder. "Honestly, man, sometimes I think you got a raw deal."
"Back at the institute, who didn't respect you? That algorithm model of yours. Marvin talked about it all the time. Said you were the best talent he ever mentored, that your future was limitless."
"And then what? You just up and left."
I picked up a peanut, tossed it in my mouth, and chewed.