Just days after starting, I saw Gabi for the first time. She would sashay into the office at times, ostentatiously walking to Jake’s office and make a big production out of kissing him in front of the entire staff. It turned out she wasn’t especially well-liked, especially by the women in the company, who all had her pegged for a gold-digger. If she was, Jake didn’t give a damn. He clearly reveled in having a gorgeous young wife.
After my first few years at the company, I was flying high. Doing extremely well, I settled in with the usual trappings of a successful young businessman. I drove a sleek BMW convertible, and had bought a luxury condo in affluent Addison, Texas, a north Dallas suburb. I did my share of skirt-chasing, and spread lots of pollen around the North Texas area and thoroughly enjoyed the night life.
Jake and I built a really close working relationship. While he was known in the office as a real hardass, I never recall him saying an unkind word to me. I wasn’t sure if this was because he liked me, or if it was just because I was kicking ass. I really didn’t care, although a lot of the other producers in the company were clearly jealous of my success.
Life was going great. I couldn’t have asked for anything else.
Then disaster struck.
Jake called me into the office one day. His face was grim.
“Close the door,” he brusquely ordered. I closed the door behind me and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk, not waiting to be asked to sit down.
“Chris, I’ve got a problem that I need your help with,” he said bluntly.
“Sure thing, Jake. Anything.”
“I have cancer, Chris.”
I could only stare at him in dumbfounded amazement. I had always just viewed him naively as being indestructible.
“Shit!” I muttered the only word that came to my mind at the surprise of his announcement.
“Yeah,” Jake went on. “Goddamned prostate.”
“Anyway,” he continued. “I’m going to be out of action for a while. Several months, it looks like. I have to have surgery, radiation and chemo.”
“OK,” I said as the magnitude of the situation sunk in. “What can I do to help, Jake?”
“I need you to take over for me while I’m out.”
“But Jake, I’m one of the newest producers here!” I started to protest. “You’ve lots of guys with more years…”
Jake held up his hand, indicating that I should shutup and listen.
“You’re the one I trust,” he said simply.
I could only look at Jake, stunned at the turn of events. I thought of the magnitude of what he was asking. Then I knew there was only one answer I could give to his request.
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. That’s settled,” Jake sounded relieved.
“Now legally, but just technically, Gabi’s going to take over for me,” Jake continued. “We have to do it that way for legal reasons. However, for the actual day to day running of the company, I expect you to be in charge. I’ll make sure everyone knows that you speak for me.”
Then Jake did something I’ll never forget. He turned the picture of his father’s tattooed arm around facing me. He pointed to it.
“Remember what I told you,” he voice took on a menacing growl. “I don’t like to take shit. And I don’t want you to take any for me.”
I started to speak but hesitated, knowing that he had more to say, and I didn’t want to interrupt him.
“You speak for me,” he went on. “If anyone here fucks with you, fire ’em. You have my blessing and permission.”
“Yes, sir.” Again, I felt this wasn’t a time to be calling him Jake, especially since the topic of conversation was firing people.
“OK, get a staff meeting called for this afternoon. I’ll tell everyone of the changes. I’m having surgery first thing in the morning, so as of tomorrow, you’re the man.”
“All right, Jake.” He stood, I did likewise and shook his hand. “Thanks for your confidence in me.”
“You deserve it, Chris.”
“And Jake?”
“Yeah?”
“Good luck tomorrow.” My voice nearly broke with emotion as I knew my mentor faced a challenge from which he might not survive.
“Thanks.” Jake’s voice also betrayed the emotion and fear that we both felt.
After several seconds, I finally let go of his hand after I felt him release mine from his hard grip. Looking at him, I could see tears welling up in his eyes.
Chapter Four
The next several months went smoothly. I ran the company easily in Jake’s absence, even managing to meet the production goals and achieving the company growth that we had set as a challenge the month prior to his departure. Our production goal was helped by me personally landing a huge medical malpractice contract for a large hospital chain. Ironically, it was the hospital that was treating Jake. I didn’t have too much trouble with the staff. I had one old-time producer give me some guff, but after I offered sell his book to the company of his choice, he backed down really quick. He never said a hostile word after that.