I give him a smile, something a little closer to real this time. "We should go a round or two sometime," I say, trying to keep my tone jovial. "I could probably learn something from you."

Keep everyone close, friends and enemies. Learn from everyone. Who better to practice this on than my roommate?

"So are you headed somewhere after your tour here?" I know I am, but Joe might be here for a long while yet, or even indefinitely. I might just be the first roommate of a dozen for him...and depending on how things turn out, that might be a good thing.