Page 4 of The Scent of Happiness

“I appreciate you being a team player.” Mr. Blue looked around the office.

Theo stood awkwardly behind his desk. Was he supposed to sit down? Offer his boss a chair? This was the first time Mr. Blue had ever set foot in Theo’s office and he was at a bit of a loss.

Mr. Blue wandered over to the chess board and studied it. “Interesting.”

“Do you play?” Theo asked.

“Mmm hmm.” Mr. Blue picked up the white bishop and used it to capture a black knight. He tossed Theo an expectant glance.

Theo circled his desk and approached the opposite side of the board. Mr. Blue’s move hadn’t been a bad one, but not a great one either. Theo had played enough chess to know the outcome at this point. He could win in four moves.

But was that the outcome he wanted? Maybe there was more than one way to win this game. Maybe they weren’t even playing chess. Maybe they were playing something else. He removed his finger from the black queen and instead moved the rook. Still a solid move, but not the game-ender he could have gone for.

Mr. Blue looked from Theo to the board and back at Theo. He took a small step away from the table and crossed his arms. “Very clever.”

Theo couldn’t tell which way he meant it. Mr. Blue had mastered the art of the compliment that also cut, and Theo hoped to someday match his genius.

Mr. Blue helped himself to the guest chair and gestured for Theo to sit behind his desk. “All the partners have their eye on you.” Mr. Blue casually crossed a leg over his knee. “You’re a good fit for this firm. Since it was my idea to hire you, I’m taking the credit.”

“That’s only fair.” Theo breathed in the praise and let it warm him.

“I was surprised to see you bringing me coffee, though.”

“Just trying to help out.”

“Next time?” Mr. Blue said. “Don’t.”

“I’m sorry?”

Mr. Blue uncrossed his legs and sat up straight. “You don’t bring the coffee. That’s not your job.”

“Oh, but Ellen was running behind and I didn’t want your clients to wait. I was already in the front desk area, so—”

“Better that clients wait than see you bringing coffee,” Mr. Blue said. “Don’t let people see you doing menial work, or they’ll associate that with you. I haven’t been near the coffee pot in twenty years. It comes to me on a tray.”

“Ah. I see.” The room was quite stuffy all of a sudden. Theo moved to the window and cracked it open.

“It’s fine if you’re alone,” Mr. Blue continued. “But if you’re with clients, you have it brought. Understood?”

“Yes, sir. Thank you for the advice.”

“Anytime.” Mr. Blue waved a dismissive hand. “That’s why we have a mentorship program. We can’t teach you law, but we can teach you how to be a lawyer.”

“Yeah. Stephen is great.” Two years ago, when Theo had joined Walker Blue and Associates, Stephen Lin had been assigned as his mentor. It was supposed to only be for the first few months of his employment, but their friendship had continued, despite Stephen being two decades older.

Mr. Blue gave him a measuring look. “But Lin never mentioned the coffee?”

“I’m sure he did. I just forgot.” Theo leaned on the windowsill, trying to appear casual. Stephen hadn’t mentioned it. Not once. But Theo wasn’t going to throw his own mentor under the bus.

“Oh, well. There’s a lot to keep track of when you’re starting out.” Mr. Blue stood, winding up the conversation.

“I appreciate any advice you can give me, sir.”

“No problem. Good night, Chambers.”

“Good night, Mr. Blue.”

Theo closed the door and sank into his chair. Two years. He’d been working here two years and he was still making rookie mistakes. He took a sip of coffee. It had gone cold and tasted bitter.