Halfway to forever by Karen Kingsbury

driver. Matt, who had represented the spirit of Christ at every
turn, seeking not revenge but justice. Matt, who had been
Hannah's constant friend and supporter.
It was no surprise, really, that she'd fallen in love with him.
Not that the process had been quick.
It started more than a year after the accident, when Hannah
acted on Tom's dying wish. That day she walked into a prison
meeting room, sat across from Brian Wesley, and forgave him.
Afterward, when Hannah joined Matt and jenny outside,
something had changed. Hannah couldn't place it at first, but in
time she realized that forgiving Brian Wesley had removed ice
from around her heart. With the cold gone, she was able to see
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Matt in a way she hadn't before. In fact, for the first time since the collision she was able to imagine her
future, to admit she still had one.
. For a long while she and Matt hid their feelings, each not sure the other was ready for romance. Hannah
remembered the turning point.
It was a few months later in late February and Matt had spent the day with her and Jenny. Though the sun
was out, a cool breeze filled the air, and the three of them flew kites at a local park. When the sun set, they
returned to Hannah's house and Matt barbecued
steaks. As soon as dinner was over, jenny announced she had plans
with a friend. Half an hour later she was gone for the evening, and Matt and Hannah had the house to
themselves. They spent the first hour walking to the local high school and circling the track. For the first
time none of their conversation centered around Tom's and Alicia's absence. Rather they talked about his
dream of joining a law firm that fought for religious freedom and spending the next part of his career
upholding rights that too many people took for granted.
"I'm finished with drunk drivers," he told her. Their steps were unhurried and every now and then their
arms brushed against each other.
"You met your goal. A drunk driver was convicted of murder one." Hannah gazed at the treetops beyond
the school. "I don't blame you for wanting something new"
Matt shook his head. "It isn't that. Murder one was the right conviction for Brian Wesley. But even that
won't keep it from happening again. Tonight, tomorrow... every night after that ...someone will drink too
much and climb behind the wheel. They'll break laws and drive without licenses and kill people like Tom
and Alicia and my friends."
145 Hannah angled her head, curious in a sad sort of way. "So, we
should give up?"
"No." Matt slipped his hands in his pockets as they kept walking.
"You should keep working for victim rights as long as you feel
God wants you to. I think that kind of thing helps, especially with
teenagers. There you are talking about your losses, showing pictures
of Tom and Alicia. That kind of message is bound to stop
some of them from drinking."
He paused for a moment and Hannah savored the peace that
resonated in her soul when she was with him. He continued, his
tone thoughtful. "But prosecuting drunk drivers doesn't keep anyone
from drinking and driving."