On Every Side

  Charles took Heidi's hand and led her into the den. “And what—my sweet, still-recuperating love—could you do to help?”

  She knew he was teasing and she tilted her head, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as though she were trying to figure out a dif-ficult mathematical formula. “Let's see, I could go door to door getting people involved, or stand at the park all day handing out flyers with one hand, feeding Jordan Lee with the other. I could…” She broke into a laugh and punched Charles lightly on the arm. “I'm not an invalid, you know”

  He grinned and tickled her until she let out a light scream. Across the room Jordan Lee sighed and shifted positions. “There you go, wake up the baby…” he whispered. He was still chuck-ling, but a curiosity filled his eyes. “No, I'm serious, honey. What are you thinking of doing?”

  Heidi stared at the television set. The news was just coming on, and she shot a knowing glance at her husband. “I could tell her I'm behind her 100 percent, and that well pray for her.” Her shoulders lifted twice. She wasn't even sure why she'd called, just that she'd felt compelled to do it. “I don't know, Charles. I care about that statue. I had to do something.”

  “That's my little activist.” He kissed her on the top of her head and stretched lazily “I'll be in the shower if you need me. Let me know what I miss.” He winked at her and disappeared up the stairs.

  Heidi watched him go and thought, as she often did, how blessed she was. She turned her attention back to the television and the top story—a newsbreaking item about a banking crisis in Philadelphia. Heidi absently bit the nail on her forefinger as she waited. There was a reason she wanted more information, a rea-son she wasn't ready to admit even to herself. It had everything to do with the attorney's name.

  Maybe they'd show his picture… maybe…

  Heidi forced herself not to get worked up. Her brother was dead, the state had notified her foster parents, hadn't they? That wasn't a detail people got wrong.

  Was it?

  Since television news would have reported the postponement of the hearing the night before, Heidi wasn't sure they'd carry another story about the case. But sure enough, three items into the lineup a female anchor stared into the camera, her face seri-ous. Heidi leaned forward in her seat. Come on, give me some-thing…

  “The countdown has begun for the people of Bethany, Pennsylvania, as they await the final hearing in a case that will decide whether ten-foot walls must remain standing around a statue of Jesus Christ.” The reporter droned on, recapping details that even Heidi knew already. The story ended with an update on the attorney for HOUR. “Sources say Jordan Riley will remain in Bethany until the hearing, making himself available for press conferences and other media events involving the case.” The anchor reminded viewers of Mr. Riley's press conference earlier in the week, and as she spoke, the station aired footage of a man talking before a dozen microphones and cameras.

  Heidi was on her feet, her next breath forgotten. “Dear God….it can't be…”

  Though her blood ran cold and her head was spinning, she moved trancelike across the room to the television screen. Falling to her knees, she touched the image of the man on the screen.

  Jordan Riley “He's alive…” She whispered the words as the man's picture was replaced by the anchor. Then Heidi's voice became a shout. “He's alive! Charles, come here! He's alive!” She was overcome with a dozen different emotions, and she felt like she'd slipped into some far-too-real dream. The baby began to whimper, and Heidi held a hand up in her direction. “Shh, honey, it's okay” Heidi peered over the edge of the bassinet, relieved to see Jordan Lee's eyes closed. “I'll be right back.”

  Don't let it be a dream, God… please… He's alive! Jordan's alive! “Charles!” She darted upstairs as quickly as her feet could take her, into their bedroom and around the corner, where she found Charles wrapped in a towel, his hair still dripping from the shower. “Charles…” She froze in place, her knees knocking, heart stuck in a beat she didn't recognize. The tears came then, quickly and in rivers, warm with the mixture of pain and elation. “He's alive, I saw him!”

  Her husband's blank expression told Heidi he had no idea what she was talking about. “Who's alive?” He ran the towel across him-self, slipped into a robe, and was at her side almost instantly His damp fingers came up around the sides of her tear-soaked face as he searched her eyes. “Honey, what is it? What's wrong?”

  Her voice was a whisper this time, and it was hard to draw a deep breath. “My brother…Jordan…” Spots danced before her eyes and she backed up. Help me, Lord… I can't faint Not now.

  Charles held her steady and eased her down onto the bed. Concern screamed from his eyes, as though he thought perhaps Heidi had lost her mind. “You're white as a sheet, baby put your head between your knees.” He kept hold of her shoulders as she followed his instructions. Though her body had no idea how to handle the shock of seeing Jordan alive, her husband did. And in Charles's presence, aware of his years of medical experience, she felt herself beginning to relax. Thank You, God…help me get a grip…

  “I'm okay.” The words sounded muffled as Heidi moved to sit up again.

  “Slowly. Come up real slowly, babe.” Again she did as she was told, grateful that Jordan Lee had slept through the ordeal. When she was upright again, she felt another wave of tears, but this time when she spoke her voice was steady and certain.

  “My brother's alive.”

  The sense of shock belonged to Charles now, and Heidi watched his eyes change from confusion to utter disbelief. He put a hand on her shoulder and sat beside her. “Honey, that's impossible. He's been dead more than fifteen years.”

  She shook her head and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I saw him on TV” There was no way she could con-vince Charles without an explanation. This time her lungs allowed her to breathe, and she inhaled deeply “This morning when I read about the Jesus statue case I came across the name of the attorney from HOUR who started the whole thing, the man who sued the city of Bethany to have the statue removed.” Heidi locked eyes with her husband. “His name is Jordan Riley”

  It took a moment, but eventually a knowing expression filled Charles's face.” Honey, there are bound to be other—”

  Heidi put her hand up to stop him. “I know that. I told myself the same thing.” She pointed downstairs. “But a few min-utes ago I was watching a news story about it, and they showed a picture of the attorney talking to a crowd at Jericho Park the other day” New tears pooled in her eyes and spilled over. “It was Jordan, Charles. I would have recognized him anywhere, case or no case.”

  The sadness in Charles's eyes told Heidi he wasn't convinced. “Sweetheart, Jordan was just a boy when he died. A lot of grown men might look the way he would have looked.” He hesitated. “If he'd lived.”

  Heidi knew Charles didn't mean anything by his doubts, but they angered her all the same. After all these years she'd found her brother. He wasn't dead; he was alive! She pursed her lips and stood up. There was only one way to prove it to him. Without saying a word she headed out of the bedroom and toward the stairs.

  Charles was on his feet, close behind her. “Where're you going?”

  She glanced at him over her shoulder and saw in his hurried steps how deeply he cared for her. But she couldn't wait another moment to know she was right. “I have to make a phone call.”

  “But it's eleven-thir—”

  Heidi was already dialing the number. A woman answered on the second ring, her voice wide awake. “Hello…”

  “Did I wake you?”

  “No…whoisthis?”

  Charles came up behind her, wrapped his arms gently around her waist and drew her near, laying his head on her shoulder and waiting. There was a pause, and for a moment Heidi thought the woman was going to hang up on her. “I'm sorry, it's Heidi Benson. I shouldn't have called so late, but, well…is this Faith Evans?”

  “Yes, it is, and don't worry about the hour. I stay up late.” Heidi drew a
breath. Certainly the woman would know the details about the attorney from HOUR. Please, God…I need to know now…

  “You're calling about the Jesus statue case, right? I left a mes-sage with you earlier?”

  Heidi could feel herself beginning to shake again and she willed her heart to remain calm. “Yes… 1, uh… I have a question first, Mrs. Evans.” She closed her eyes and pulled her fingers in tight against the palms of her hands. Charles still stood behind her, and she was suddenly desperate to know the truth. “What can you tell me about Jordan Riley the attorney for HOUR?”

  Faith paused. “What did you want to know?”

  “Everything.” Heidi said the word quickly to keep herself from screaming in frustration. “Whatever you can tell me… why he's suing the city and whether he ever lived in Bethany?”

  Again Faith was silent, then, “Yes, as a matter of fact, he did live in Bethany a long time ago. Back when he was a boy.”

  There was nothing Heidi could do to calm her heart now. “How old was he? When he lived here, I mean?”

  Another pause. “I'm not sure I understand what this has to do with the case.”

  Heidi heard uneasiness in Faith's voice. Lei her hear my heart, Lord. “It's very important. I think maybe I know the man.” Heidi's voice broke. “Please, if you know anything about him, help me—”

  “Are you…are you serious?” Faith's tone was suddenly as breathless and anxious as Heidi's.

  “Yes, please…”

  “Okay Heidi. I'll tell you what I can.” Faith's voice was kind, and Heidi knew instinctively she'd found an ally. She held her breath as Faith continued. “Jordan and I were friends… we lived next door to each other for several years before he moved away. He was thirteen that year.”

  The shock of Faith's words sent Heidi backward, against her husband. She lowered her head and was seized by a wave of sobs that had been building for fifteen years. Ever since she received the news that Jordan was dead. “Faith… then it's you?”

  “I'm…I'm not sure I know what you mean. Look, Mrs. Benson—”

  “Riley…I-I'm Heidi Riley”

  Heidi heard the gasp on the other end. What? “I can't believe it… Heidi Riley… it's really you?”

  A sound escaped Heidi that was part sob, part relieved laugh-ter. “Yes, it's me. So my brother isn't dead?”

  Faith was crying now as well. “No, Heidi. He's alive! He's alive and he's been looking for you ever since the state took you away. Where do you live?”

  Heidi rattled off the address as she turned to Charles, grin-ning madly through her tears.

  “Can you come over?” Faith sounded like she was crying too. “Right now? I think we have a lot to talk about.”

  Heidi agreed, and the two hung up. She grabbed her jacket from the back of a kitchen chair as Charles waited.

  “What'd she say? Is it Jordan?”

  She smiled through her tears. “You always wished you could have met Jordan, right?”

  Charles nodded, his eyes glistening in stunned disbelief.

  “Well—” she hugged him close, then pulled back just enough to see his face— “how ‘bout this week?”

  Twenty-five

  Faith leaned against the wall to keep from collapsing. Heidi Benson was Jordan's sister? The shock jolted through her, making her feel she was in the very presence of God.

  Stunned, she moved into the front room and sat on the edge of the sofa, watching and waiting. She was just about to get into bed when the phone rang. At first she'd thought it nervy that the woman had chosen to call so late, but when she heard the urgency in her voice, Faith had silently prayed for patience. Whatever Mrs. Benson had to say mattered deeply to the woman.

  And now…

  Faith shook her head. Now, she knew she'd been witness to a miracle.

  Her father had loved moments like this, when it was blatantly obvious they were treading on holy ground. He would smile and say, “Looks like God has something up His sleeve.” There was a lump in Faith's throat and she swallowed hard as her thoughts drifted back to the last time she'd seen Heidi, the little girl's arm reaching desperately from a stranger's car as she was separated from her brother.

  The noise of an engine snapped her out of the memory and Faith watched through the window as a car pulled up and a woman climbed out.

  Heidi Riley… the very person she'd prayed for earlier that day in Jordan's car… No one but You could have done this, God. No one but You. Faith opened the door. Jordan's little sister had grown into a beautiful woman, with Jordan's striking features and hair— but that wasn't what made Faith's heart skip a beat.

  Heidi Benson looked exactly like her mother.

  There were no words needed as Heidi and Faith came together, eliminating the years between them in a single hug. Faith felt fresh tears sting her eyes and she laughed to keep from breaking down. “I can't believe it's you. It's too amazing.”

  “I read your name in the article, and I had the craziest feeling… but your name was wrong. So I knew you couldn't be the same Faith who'd lived next door to us.” Heidi pulled back and took Faith's hands in hers. “But here you are.”

  Faith led her inside, and they took seats next to each other in the living room. Normally she'd offer Heidi tea, but given the cir-cumstances there was simply too much to talk about first. A smile lifted the corners of Heidi's lips. “You're so pretty, Faith. Just like I pictured you.”

  Faith laughed and dried her eyes. “And you look so much like your mother I could barely believe it wasn't her. Jordan's going to be amazed.”

  A look of raw pain flooded Heidi's face. “All these years…I thought… I thought he was dead.”

  “I know. We looked at the state foster care files today”

  “Today?” Heidi's eyes grew wide. “You mean you were with him today? I thought with the…well, the two of you are on opposite sides of this thing.” She stared at her hands. “I didn't think you'd be talking.”

  Faith saw a pink tinge shade her cheeks. Was she ashamed of her brother's involvement in the case? Compassion flooded Faith's heart.

  “It's a long story.” Faith's voice grew somber as Jordan's words flitted through her mind again. “The God you serve is my enemy… “

  “Your brother's very hurt, Heidi. He spent most of his life looking for you. And after today…”

  “What'd the files say?” Heidi's eyes grew dark.

  “That Jordan was killed in the camp accident. There wasn't enough adoption information in yours for Jordan to have any hope of finding you.” Faith could still see the sorrow on Jordan's face as he read the report. “After that he figured he was out of options.”

  Heidis face twisted. She sat back in the chair, covered her face with her hands, and cried as though her heart were being ripped to shreds. She spoke through the spaces between her fingers, her voice was little more than a muffled cry.” All those years… thinking he was dead. We've lost so much time.” She wept harder than before. “And now… he's not the person he was.”

  Faith dropped to her knees and embraced Heidi, smoothing her hand over the back of her head. “His views, his beliefs are different—but deep down, Jordan's still the same.” She wanted to be honest, but Heidi had to believe there was hope. Faith remembered her night with Jordan at Jericho Park.” Sometimes when we've been together…I've felt like he was exactly the same.”

  Heidi leaned back and reached for a tissue on the coffee table. She held the paper to her face, letting her head rest in her hands for several seconds. When she looked up she gave Faith a weak smile, “I'm sorry. I didn't plan to break down.”

  “Don't be sorry. It's right to grieve the years you've lost. You must have been devastated when you thought he was killed.”

  Lines of confusion appeared on Heidi's forehead. “So what happened? At the camp, I mean? How did they get it so mixed up?”

  Faith exhaled and moved back to her chair, her eyes fixated on a crack in the ceiling. “A cave collapsed. Nineteen boys were wo
rking inside and Jordan was one of them. He could easily have been killed, Heidi. He and another boy were the only ones who got out alive.” She met Heidi's questioning eyes.” He spent a day in the hospital, but he was fine.” She paused, knowing the details wouldn't help Heidi with the fact that she'd been given wrong information. Lord, give her strength…please… “I don't know where the error came from—the camp officials or the hospital. But it doesn't matter now. Someone from the camp contacted another camp—out of state—and Jordan never returned to Southridge. My guess is his records are active somewhere in New Jersey.”

  “New Jersey?”

  Faith's heart sank. She'd forgotten how much of Jordan's story Heidi didn't know. “Yes. He spent the rest of his school years in New Jersey He went to college there on a baseball scholarship. He was never adopted but he did very well. He went to law school, passed the bar exam, and took a job with HOUR.” Faith pursed her lips and glanced down. “He's one of their best attorneys.”

  “And you think it's because he's hurting, maybe even mad at the Lord?”

  Faith looked at Heidi through a fresh layer of tears. “I know that's why. He told me so himself.”

  Heidi shook her head and closed her eyes. “I've been praying for him ever since you told me… the whole way over here.”

  Praying for him? A surge of hope worked its way through Faith. “So you're… you still…”

  “Believe?” Heidi opened her eyes again. “My relationship with Christ pulled me through. Without Him…” Faith could see her struggling to control her emotions. Heidi swallowed hard and straightened. “I never would have made it.”

  The bond between them was growing, and Faith was glad. “I'm so glad for you…I hoped your love for God was strong. Something in the way you spoke, the light in your eyes…”

  “My husband's the same way.”

  “Husband?” Faith realized there were still lots more details to be discussed.

  “Oh, Faith, he's wonderful… my perfect match.” My perfect match For some reason as Heidi said the words, Faith was surrounded by invisible images of Jordan. She saw him talking with her at the diner, sitting with her on the park bench, making her feel flustered and more connected to him than any-one in the world. Just like he'd made her feel that long-ago win-ter. She shook off the memories and the bittersweet feeling that wedged itself in her heart. While Heidi and her husband had been building their life together, she'd wasted years with Mike Dillan and spent months learning to walk again after her car acci-dent.