Clare then tried to sober the room. “Why are we laughing? We're all screwed.”

This only made them laugh harder for a moment, until reality began to take hold.

Jeff felt like the situation was a little morose, given his uncle's medical condition. “Do you guys think he's going to be okay?”

Suddenly Clare felt bad for her new boss. “Oh yeah, I do. Tell him what you said earlier, Bobby.”

“My brother had the same diagnosis a few years ago, and the same surgery. It's not all that risky, as long as his diet and lifestyle change.” Bobby paused to let Jeff digest it all. “He should be fine.”

Glad for their reassurance about his uncle, Jeff needed a little for himself, too.

“So, is there any truth, even a little, to what you guys were saying?” Before they could answer, he explained. “I mean, do you guys feel like one of you should have gotten this job?”

Jeff was glad that Bobby went first. “Are you kidding? If Bob had made me CEO I'd have quit. I know what I'm good at, and it's not this,” he said, looking around the office. “I'm a field ops guy.”

Clare jumped in. “And as much as I've loved advising Bob, I wouldn't be right in that chair. That's not for me.”

“Okay, but how do you feel about me sitting in it?”

“Well, we'd be lying if we didn't admit that we had concerns,” Clare said, with a perfect combination of bluntness and compassion.

Bobby continued, “Oh yeah. We're as worried as you are, my friend. But it's not like we had someone else in mind who we think would be better. Given the craziness of the situation right now, you're probably our best option.”

“Why do you say that?”

Clare answered, “Because we need someone we know and trust. There's no hero out there who could come in from the outside and make this work. And you're invested. You're family.”

“And you're not a jackass,” Bobby announced, without a hint of humor. “You're a good kid, and you listen. We know you get us.”

Jeff could never have imagined that the words “you're not a jackass” could be so comforting. Or that he'd be considered a kid in his forties. Still, he had to push a little harder.

“Okay, I appreciate that. But I have to ask the big question.” He paused for effect. “Are you ready to let me be the leader of the company? And of you guys?”

Clare and Bobby looked at each other, and then turned to Jeff.

“Absolutely,” Bobby declared.

Clare agreed. “Same here.”

Jeff was relieved. “Okay. You up for dinner tonight?”