The Price of Love

By Jody Hartung

When Robin Phillips reluctantly accepts an invitation to attend a revival service with her best friend, she has no idea that her life will be turned upside down. That simple invitation""and her acceptance""propels her into a place where she must learn to trust God completely, even when the path is totally dark and she has been swallowed by sorrow. Robin will learn that "we walk by faith, not sight" and that "joy comes in the morning."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644928172

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The Price of Love

Jody Hartung

Copyright © 2019 by Jody Hartung

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Well, Tom said acidly, I’m waiting for an explanation.

An explanation? How could I explain to him that Charlotte had been making my life miserable ever since I had come to live with them? How could I convince Tom that Charlotte had told endless lies and done things to cast a bad light on me? I had tried proving my innocence once, and it had gotten me nowhere.

I shrugged. I don’t know, I managed miserably. Perhaps I did leave it on, though I’m usually very careful about that.

How could you be so careless? Tom yelled. Leaving a gas stove on all night! It’s fortunate Charlotte found it, or none of us might be alive right now!

I wish I wasn’t. The words came out before I could stop them. Tom’s mouth dropped open. I plunged recklessly on. I wish I were dead and then you and that witch would stop blaming me for things I haven’t done.

Witch, is she? Tom fairly breathed fire. After opening our home to you, this is the result of our kindness! After all we’ve done for you, this is the way you reward us! I never saw such an ingrate in all my life! I—

The tears came, and I fled from the room. Where, oh where could I go to escape this nightmare, this dungeon? I ran into my room, locked the door, and flung myself onto the bed for a good cry.

But wishing I were dead didn’t help any. Inevitably Charlotte called me to help with dinner. I had no desire to start something fresh, so I meekly did what Charlotte told me to do.

You learn your place around here, girl, and things will be much easier on you, she told me, pleased that my will seemed broken. Now go fetch Tom.

I shuddered at the command, but went without a word. I found him in his library engrossed in a magazine.

Tom, dinner’s on the table. I could not keep the defeat out of my voice. He looked up and grunted.

By the way, Janet is coming by later to take you someplace tonight. She called to remind you of your date, but you didn’t answer the phone. The disapproval was evident in every word.

I’m sorry, I said flatly. I didn’t hear the phone ring.

He followed me to the dining room. The meal was eaten in strained silence. I excused myself as soon as I could and went back to my room to get ready. I didn’t really want to go with Janet—her church was having what she called a revival—but I was desperate to get away from Tom and Charlotte for even a few hours.

When Janet came by, she and Tom chatted for a few minutes. Their voices floated up to me, and I paused at the top of the stairs.

I’m glad Robin is going out with you tonight, Janet. She hasn’t been herself lately. Maybe the outing will do some good. Hypocrite, I thought. You just want me out of here as badly as I want out.

I’m glad she’s going too, Janet was saying. It’s so good of you to let her go with me, Mr. Phillips.

Well, it’s the least I can do for my little sister, Tom said patronizingly.

The absolute least. I hurled the unspoken words at him as I descended the stairs.

I had met Janet Griffin in my senior year of high school. I was still trying to recover from the double blow of losing both my parents in an automobile accident and having to move in with Tom and his wife. Tom had taken me in only because he had promised our father that he would look after me. He and Charlotte had proceeded to make my life miserable from the start, with a long list of rules and an even longer list of duties that they expected me to perform.

Tom’s way of punishing me when I didn’t conform to the rules was simply to eliminate, one by one, the few liberties he had allowed me. I quickly learned that obedience, however distasteful to me, was much better in the long run.

Janet was my one friend. Tom liked her and usually let me go with her when she wanted me to do something. He could trust Janet, he said. Boyfriends were out of the question. Charlotte wouldn’t let a boy within ten feet of the house and never let me go out with one. But I could count on Janet to get me out of the house every once in a while. She understood my situation and was my friend in spite of it.

Tonight Janet greeted me with a smile. All ready to go, Robin? she asked pleasantly. I nodded mutely. My brother held the door for us as we went out. As soon as it closed behind us, I drew in a deep breath of the clean, sweet air around me.

Janet eyed me keenly. What’s the trouble, Robin? she asked sympathetically. Have a headache?

No, I answered. I’m just glad to be away from there. Suddenly I blurted, Janet, I am going up the wall! The situation has become intolerable, and I just don’t know which way to turn!

Janet smiled and gently slipped her arm around me. I think I can help you, she whispered.

Nobody can, I mumbled miserably. We reached the car just then, and no more was said on the matter.

Janet’s handsome cousin Lloyd was driving. Lloyd Griffin was studying to be a preacher of all things. I could not imagine him giving the same old dry sermons I thought all preachers did. Tonight he noticed I was feeling rather low and tactfully