Jeff didn't recognize the number. He had never talked to Ted on the phone.

“This is Jeff.”

“Jeff, it's Ted Marchbanks.”

“Hey, Ted. I was just checking to see if you'd sent me your references yet. What's up?”

“Well, about that. After lunch today, I sat down and talked to my wife. And,” he stammered, “well, I'm thinking that maybe I shouldn't be diving back into work so quickly.”

Jeff was stunned. “Wow. Tell me more about that.”

“It's just that maybe I'm being a little impulsive,” Ted said, impassively. “I don't know if I'm ready to walk away from retirement just yet.”

Jeff didn't believe a word that he was hearing. It all sounded like an excuse to him. He was stunned.

“I have to tell you, I'm a little surprised,” Jeff said. “Or maybe more than a little.”

“I know. I'm sorry if I led you guys on.”

Jeff responded reflexively. “No, no. I mean, it's been just a few days. And you have to do what's best for you and your wife. Don't worry about that.”

After a slightly awkward pause, Jeff confirmed, “So, you're saying that you're definitely pulling out of the process then?”

Another pause. “Yeah,” Ted responded, “I'm out of the process.”

“All right. Well, stay in touch with us. If you change your mind, let us know.” Jeff hoped that didn't sound like Ted had a job waiting for him if he wanted it.

“Thanks, Jeff. Good luck to you guys.”

And that's how it ended.

Jeff sat at his desk sorting through a variety of emotions, most of which were not pleasant.

On the one hand, he dreaded having to tell Clare, and especially Bobby, that the man they had hoped would solve a big part of their problem was gone. That would be a serious morale bust for them.

Beyond that, he didn't know that there was anyone else out there whom they'd be able to find on relatively short notice. The logistics of that alone were enough to drive Jeff into a mild funk.

But he was also feeling a bizarre sense of relief, one that he hoped he'd be able to describe to Bobby and Clare. At this point, he wasn't sure they'd be buying it.