Halfway to forever by Karen Kingsbury

Matt took his seat at the plaintiff's table and watched the jury file in. Several of them cast confident
glances in Matt's direction. The clerk took the decision from the jury foreman and handed it to the judge.
With little fanfare, he revealed the outcome.
"We, the jury, find in favor of the plaintiff. In doing so we
agreed that the defendant must award the plaintiff-" The judge paused and appeared to study the number.
Matt's eyes were glued to the man, urging him to continue. The judge cleared his throat and looked at
Benson's attorneys. "Five hundred thousand dollars... half to be paid up front, and thereafter five years of
fiftythousand-dollar payments until the judgment is paid in full."
The moment the judge spoke the words five hundred thousand dollars, Matt let his held breath out and
thanked God. Thanked Him because this case would have a ripple effect that would be unprecedented in
the fight for religious freedom. And a half-million dollar judgment? It would put every civil rights group
and governing body in the country on alert that the time had come to back off. Americans had the right to
practice their religious freedom. In a church. . .in a school. . .in a public building. Even in a rented City
Hall.
Matt could hardly wait to tell Tanner.
Interviews with reporters took place immediately after the verdict, and time and again Matt gave credit to
God and Tanner. "No one understands the severity and importance of our
battle to maintain .religious freedom in this country like Tanner
297 Eastman." Matt looked straight at the cameras, believing every word. "This was his strategy, his
victory. I'm glad for the chance to carry it out."
The media circus over what had happened took three hours
to die down. Of course, it all paled in comparison to the vigil
being held at Jade's bedside several states away Back at his hotel
room later that evening, Matt tossed his things in his suitcase and
took a shuttle to the airport.
By ten o'clock he was on a flight home.
296
~G'l1~ ~61C
H annah's desire to help lade had been there long before Matt left for Colorado.
Despite the joy of having Kody as their son, Hannah's heart ached almost constantly for Jade. Yet until
Matt returned from Colorado, Hannah couldn't think of anything tangible she could do. In fact, if anything,
she felt more disconnected than ever. Here it was, the most trying, painful time in Jade's life, and Hannah
was busy buying blue bedding and baby; bottles.
And with Matt gone, she'd had no time to do anything but care for Kody
Now that he was home, she had an idea something she could do that just might make all the diffc.'rence for
Jade. That Sunday morning, the day before Jade's surgery Hannah called Pastor Steve at church and told
him her plan.
"I want to form a prayer chain for Jade Eastman. Different from any prayer chain ever done before."
During announcements that morning, Pastor Steve explained the plan to the congregation. Hannah listened,
praying they would catch her vision.
"You've heard of prayer chains before," the pastor told them. "Well, Hannah Bronzan has put together
something a little different. It's called the Jade Chain."
Hannah sat between Matt and Jenny, and without hesitating she took their hands. She looked around and
saw that peopa, were listening, some of them nodding, eyes teary. Nearly everyone
309 K A R E N K I N G S B U R Y
knew the battle jade was facing and the very real possibility that she wouldn't survive.
The pastor continued. "Most of you know that jade is battling