Emma had rushed over so quickly to the Bertier home that she was out of breath. She had called earlier for Gerry and the conversation hadn't gone well.

"Jean, what's going on?"

The older woman shook her head sadly.

"The doctor told me to expect this", she began. "Gerry has been so positive and so strong throughout this ordeal but...they said there would be good days and bad days. I guess this is a bad day."

"I'll go talk to him", Emma offered.

"I don't know, dear. He's been pretty grumpy. Maybe you should just leave him be for now."

Nonsense. Nothing in Emma's mind or heart would allow that. Gerry needed someone, he needed her and she would be there for him no matter what.

"Please Jean. Just let me try. I just want to talk to him."

Jean Bertier could see the urgency and determination in the younger woman's eyes.

"He's out back", she pointed.

Emma nodded and rushed into the direction of the back patio. There was a solemn Gerry sitting in his wheelchair staring off into space.

"Gerry?"

"Hey", he answered softly, barely looking at her.

"Um, you didn't sound too good on the phone earlier so I just wanted to stop by and check on you."

"You didn't have to do that."

"I know...I did it because I want to. Wanted to make sure you were alright."

"I'm fine. Everything is perfect except for this damn wheelchair."

Emma winced at his bitter and angry tone.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"What's to talk about?"

"I don't know", Emma shrugged thoughtfully. "Whatever you want to, I guess."

"Look Emma, I know what you're doing and trust me you don't have to, okay?"

"And what exactly am I doing Gerry?"

"You're feeling sorry for me."

"Gerry..."

"I'm not stupid, alright? I see the pity in your eyes and in Mom's and Coach Yoast and even Julius. I'm just tired of it."

"It's not pity, Gerry. We just care about you and we want you to be okay."

"Well I'm not okay!" he snapped.

Emma was taken aback as she had never seen him that angry, not even on the football field.

"Gerry..."

"Look I don't want you here and I don't need you here so why don't you just leave, Emma?"

"Gerry..."

"Do me a favor and get the hell out of here. Now!"
Feeling the tears brimming her eyes, Emma turned and headed towards the house. No sooner than she had opened the door, she collapsed, her tiny body racked with sobs.

"It's not your fault, honey", Jean said as she held her. "He's been like that with everyone today. Wouldn't even finish his physical therapy."

"Oh Jean. I love him so much! It's so hard for me to see him like that. It isn't fair. And he was so mean! Gerry has never spoken to me like that."

"I know dear. It's okay. Just go home and get some rest and try to forget about it. Perhaps tomorrow will be better."

Emma sniffled as Jean escorted her to the door. She was half way down the block before the tears and sadness stopped and was replaced by something else...anger. Before she knew it she was marching back into the house past Jean Bertier and back into the yard where Gerry still sat.

"I thought I told you to leave", he hissed.

"You did."

"So?"

"So? I ain't going."

"What did you say?"

"You heard me. I said I'm not going anywhere."

"Fine then."

"Fine. I will sit here all day if I have to, until you talk to me."

"Whatever."

"Whatever? Oh you know how much of a pain in the butt I can be so you better start talking because I have all day", she said in a bratty tone sure to garner his attention.

Gerry rolled his eyes as he knew she was speaking the truth. Emma had a stubborn streak and he knew she would sit with him as long as it took to get what she wanted and she would do every pain in the butt thing in the process to bug him.

"Fine", he finally sighed. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Why did you quit your physical therapy today?"

"Because..."

"Because what?"

"Because I couldn't okay? Because my arms got tired."

Emma shook her head. That certainly didn't sound like the Gerry she knew.

"Are you sure? Were your arms really hurting or did you just give up because you didn't feel like doing it anymore."

"I don't want to have this conversation with you."

"I don't believe you", Emma said with a haughty laugh. "Quit being such a baby. As many times as I've seen you tackle and block and hit and all other kinds of crazy, dangerous stuff on the field, you mean to tell me that you can't do a few measly arm lifting exercises in a gym?"

"You don't understand, Emma! No one does. When are you gonna get it through that thick skull of yours that I was in a serious accident, I have a serious injury and I have serious pain!"

"Oh I understand alright! I understand when the going gets tough, Gerry Bertier gets going. I'm sorry this is not a bed of roses for you but who said it would be? Look, you were in a bad car wreck and that's unfortunate. You are paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of your life and that sucks and it isn't fair but it happened, Gerry! It happened and there is nothing we can do to change it. I don't know exactly what you're going through but I know it's hard. Guess what? It's supposed to be. You're gonna have to tough it out. You're gonna have to push through and stay focused and suck up the pain and your pride and everything else."

"You don't know crap about what I'm going through and I don't want to hear a stupid pep talk."

"Stupid pep talk? I am here because I want to help you and because I love you, Gerry. Coach Boone, Coach Yoast, Julius, Alan, your mother, me...we're all here because we care and now all of a sudden you want to cry and complain and give up. The world isn't fair, huh? Boo hoo! Welcome to reality, kiddo! Now I know you're in pain and I know this is an adjustment for you mentally and emotionally but I also know you can get through this Gerry. Anything you set your mind to do, you've always done it. You're the strongest person I know."

Gerry tried to look away, tears stinging his eyes.

"I don't know if I can Emma."

"I do", she said softly. "I believe in you, you just have to believe in yourself. You can do anything Gerry Bertier. What about those Wheelchair Olympics you were talking about in the hospital? I know you could do it Gerry but you just have to work hard and you have to have the right attitude. Now what do you say? I know you're frustrated and hurting and all but don't push away all the people that are on your side. I'm here for you Gerry and I will be forever and ever if you let me."

He looked up at her and smiled.

"When did you get to be so tough?"

"I learned from the best", she winked.

She extended her hand and he accepted it. Every word out of her mouth had been the truth and her tough love was exactly what the doctor had ordered. From then on he knew everything would be okay as long as he had her. The horrible accident hadn't killed his body and he wouldn't let it kill his spirit either. He would work as hard as he could for however long it took. Gerry felt like a new man, like he had been born again and it was all thanks to Emma.