I sat in silence for a long time.
The TV switched to a different program and started playing an old song.
The owner turned off the counter light, came over, and set down a fresh pot of tea for us.
I finally spoke. "Hard to say."
"It's not that I don't want to. I just don't know if I can go back."
"Technology is one of those things where a year or two away is fine, but seven years? Everything's changed."
"The work I was doing back then, nobody would have any use for it now."
Solomon waved that off. "That's an excuse."
"Sure, the tech evolves fast, but the underlying logic doesn't change. With the foundation you built back then, picking it back up wouldn't be hard."
"The real question is whether you want to."
Something stirred in me.
He read my expression and gave a slow nod, then raised his glass. "Enough talk. Everything that needs saying is in the drink."
After that we drank even more. Solomon started telling me about the changes at the institute over the years. Who'd been promoted, who'd jumped ship, who was leading a doctoral team now. Marvin had retired last year. Before he left, he'd mentioned me, said it was a shame.
I listened, nodding now and then.