[Benedict has to think on it for a moment. He can't recall his mother ever being openly angry with him, just as he can't recall her ever being openly pleased with him-- fond of him, interested in him at all. To be treated like an associate who has displeased her is the logical explanation, but that only makes things harder.]

...I don't know why. [He knits his brow unhappily.] I don't know what I can do about it.