Halfway to forever by Karen Kingsbury

grandmother could
we visitation rights, but full custody? To a woman Grace didn't
en know was alive?
The effort of standing took everything that remained of Matt's
-ength. Like a man moving through water, he made his way ck to Tanner's office, walked inside, and
closed the door.
The moment Tanner saw Matt, his expression filled with
alarm. "What is it? What's wrong?"
Matt realized Tanner thought the call had been about jade,
hat perhaps the news-whatever it was-was so had it couldn't
come directly to Tanner.
Matt shook his head. "Nothing about jade."
There was a subtle easing in the lines on Tanner's face.
"Hannah, then?"
For a moment Matt did nothing but hold his breath, his eyes locked on those of his friend. Then he
shrugged his shoulders, feeling the sting of tears. "They're taking Grace from us tomorrow." Tanner stared
while the news sank in. Then he let his head drop as though the news was more than he could bear. When
he looked up he had just one word. "Why?"
Matt worked the muscles in his jaw. "Her grandmother came looking for her. The judge decided-"
"No!" Tanner slammed his fist onto his desk, his voice filling the room. "Why is this happening to us?" He
stood and stared outside, gripping the windowsill. His knuckles were white; his back trembled. "It isn't
supposed to be like this. We're on God's
157 team. you and me. We fight heaven's battles, and in return we're
supposed to get a break, isn't that right?"
Matt let his gaze fall to the floor for a moment. The pain in .is
heart was crippling; there was no way he could respond.
Tanner exhaled and the noise filled the room. He spun
around. "You know what's eating at me?" His voice was saturated
in bitterness. "When was the last time He helped either one of us?" Matt was conditioned to have the list
on hand: his health, his
marriage, his job, his home, the familiar accounting of God's numerous blessings. But all he could think
about was Grace, her apple-cheeked smile, her twinkling eyes and curly hair. And the way it would
decimate his family when she said good-bye. "I don't know what to say"
"Me neither." Tanner laced his hands behind his head,
clenched his teeth and moaned. "I don't know how much we're
supposed to take."
There was nothing Matt could do but agree. He closed his
eyes. Give me strength, God; get me through this. As he prayed, an
anchor appeared before his eyes. It came in the form of a Bible
verse he'd memorized as a college senior. Without thinking, the
words were on his lips. "'In this world you will have trouble..."'
His tone was calm, belying the condition of his heart. "`But take
heart! I have overcome the world."'
"I know" Tanner's shoulders slumped and he leaned against
his desk. "It'' just..."
The heartache ripping through Matt was getting worse. He
had to get home to Hannah, had to see if there was anything they