“Noah, I know little about you. Talk to me.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Gonna be hard to break you of that habit, isn’t it?”
“I would just hate to address you improperly in front of a customer. If I get accustomed to calling you Emerson, it might slip out.”
“Respectful, too. That’s fine. I’ll let you dictate how you wish to address me.”
Noah doubted that. It was another form of manipulation, keeping him on his toes.
“My mother instilled in me strong values,” Noah said.
“Sounds like a good woman. Old fashioned, raised you well. The world needs more. What does she think of your new job?
“Unfortunately, my mother passed, a few months ago.”
“I see. My condolences.” He paused. “And your father?”
“I never knew him. He died in a hiking accident while my mother was pregnant.”
“You have any fami
