Mari & Ilna-you're the best.

McRollers-thanks for reading.

This story is a follow up to my earlier story-Never Alone (posted on 3/24)

All the Difference (1/1)

Steve was headed towards the shrimp truck to grab some lunch to take home when he heard a young boy's voice call out, "Hi, Coach Steve."

He turned to see a beaming Eric Bergen, waving enthusiastically as he sat at a picnic table with his parents, Jerry and Lisa, and his brother Kyle.

Even from twenty-five feet away Steve could see a big difference in Jerry Bergen. His genuine smile and relaxed body language were a major change from just two months earlier when the man's behavior became so much of a concern that Steve approached him one night at practice.

"Hi, guys." Steve surveyed an array of small stuffed animals adorning the table and the smiles on the family's faces. "Looks like you're all having a fun day."

"Very fun," Jerry replied with an easy smile.

Kyle nodded happily. "We went to the zoo. We saw so many animals."

"Mom and Dad said we could each get a stuffed version of our favorite one but we couldn't decide which ones we liked best so instead of getting two big stuffed animals we got lots of little ones," Eric explained.

"All the animals!" Kyle giggled with delight then threw his arms in the air in a move that reminded Steve of Angie.

"That's very clever," Steve chuckled.

"Daddy said we can build them a pen when we get home so they have a place to live," Eric reported.

"And also so they don't end up all over the house," Lisa added in a voice quiet enough that only Steve could hear.

"That sounds awesome." Steve smiled. "Make sure to take a picture and bring it to practice to show me."

"I will," Eric promised.

"We're gonna build a sand castle before we go home," Kyle said excitedly. "Mommy said if we were good at the zoo then we ate all our lunch we could."

"That sounds like a good deal," Steve said.

Lisa Bergen began to gather up the stuffed animals and place them back in their bag. "Let's just keep these guys as sand free as possible until we get them home."

"Can you guys go find a spot and get started while I talk to Coach Steve for a few minutes," Jerry asked.

"Ok, we'll start getting some buckets of sand." Eric took his little brother's hand. "We'll need your help making the moat though. Mommy's super good at doing the castle but her moats are always crooked."

He's not wrong." Lisa barked a laugh as she picked up a tote bag full of beach toys then gave her husband a kiss on the cheek. "You guys take your time." She turned towards Steve. "I just wanted to say thanks."

"It's my pleasure," Steve assured her.

"You've made a big difference, not only for Jerry but for our entire family," she said sincerely. "I'm not sure we can ever repay you for everything you've done."

"You don't owe me a thing," Steve said. "You're the ones doing all the work. I just provided a little nudge."

"You can say that if you want, but I know the truth," Lisa squeezed his hand. "C'mon, boys." She smiled. "Let's go get started."

As Lisa and the boys headed off towards the sand Steve took a seat.

"It looks like things are going better," he said.

"They really are." Jerry nodded. "It's like you told me that first day, there's no magic pill. Things aren't going to be perfect overnight. But they're getting better every single day. And that's all that matters."

Steve nodded. "I was glad to see you helping some of the boys work on their swings the other night at practice."

"It feels good to want to do things like that again," Jerry said. "I was just talking to my therapist about it yesterday. Back before I started getting help everything felt like such a chore. Even doing things with Lisa and the kids. It's like I had to force myself. And even then I never enjoyed it. I just did it out of obligation. Which just made me hate myself even more."

"That's a dangerous cycle," Steve said. "It doesn't lead anywhere good."

"Absolutely not." Jerry adjusted his sunglasses. "Which is why I really need to say … I honestly think you saved my life, Steve. You definitely saved my marriage, and my relationship with my kids."

Steve started to object but Jerry waved him off.

"You did. I know you don't like to take credit, but it's the truth. You reached out to me that first night at practice even though you didn't have to. You opened up and shared details of your life that made me feel less alone. You gave me a lifeline when I really needed one. You pointed me towards the right people who were able to get me the help I need."

"I'm just glad I could be there." Steve said sincerely. "Last time we talked you'd only had a few appointments with your new therapist. Is he still working out?"

Jerry nodded. "He's great. I feel like we're a good fit. The guy I saw at first really helped me get through those initial weeks, and I'm very grateful to him, but long-term I think Dr. Weiseka is a better fit."

"There's absolutely nothing wrong with making changes when you need to," Steve said. "Surrounding yourself with the right people is half the battle."

"I'm going to therapy twice a week now," Jerry said. "And Dr. Weiseka also helped Lisa find a support group where she can talk to other spouses going through the same kind of things she is. She goes every Wednesday night and she loves it. He even sat down with us as a family and helped us explain to the kids what's going on and that none of it is their fault and that I'm working on getting better."

"That's good," Steve replied. "Eric and Kyle are great kids."

"They sure are." Jerry smiled. "I don't know what I'd do without them. Lisa too."

"I'm glad to hear things are going so well," Steve said sincerely.

"They are. I'm not getting ahead of myself," Jerry said. "I know I need to put in the work and not let my guard down now that things are looking brighter."

Steve nodded. "Absolutely right."

"Joseph hooked me up with a job retraining program at the VA," Jerry said. "They're gonna work with my entire medical team to help find a career path that works for me. I'm pretty excited about it. There was a lot of paperwork to fill out but Joseph and Elizabeth sat down with me and Lisa last weekend and helped us figure it all out. They've both been a lot of help."

Steve smiled. "They're the best."

Suddenly the sound of Eric's voice carried up from the beach. "Daddy, we're almost ready to build the moat."

Steve chuckled. "I think that's your cue."

"I think you're right." Jerry stood and extended his hand. "Thanks again, Steve. I really appreciate everything you've done."

"My pleasure." Steve shook his hand. "You know where I am if you ever need anything. Day or night. Just reach out."

Jerry nodded. "Just knowing you actually mean that makes all the difference in the world."

THE END

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