A woman who was driven out by her wealthy father at the age of sixteen for falling in love with a poor man ends up living on the streets with her four children after her husband dies suddenly. Steve Walton, fatigued from a long flight from Singapore, was not delighted to learn that Pastor Morris was waiting for him. He was exhausted and not in the mood for charity demands. With a dismissive wave, he told the priest to get to the point.
“Mr. Walton, I saw Susan,” the pastor stated quietly, causing Steve’s heart to almost stop. His only daughter, who had left home fifteen years before, had never been heard from again. “Susan?” Steve inquired, his voice quivering. “Where? “How is she?” “I saw her in Los Angeles, among the homeless,” the pastor said. “But she was not a volunteer…” She’s homeless and lives in a car with her children.
Steve’s world whirled as he slumped onto a chair. “Homeless? My daughter? “Children?” he gasped. “Yes,” the priest repeated calmly. “She wouldn’t come home because she said she couldn’t bring her children into a house where their father was despised.” Steve’s typical wrath welled up. Susan continued to defy him even after all these years! He remembered their previous quarrel, and how she remained firm even when he raged at her.
“Pregnant at sixteen, by the gardener!” he’d exclaimed. “We’ll solve the problem, and he’s fired. “You will never see him again!” “That’s my baby, Dad,” Susan said softly. “And I love him. “I am going to marry him.” Steve’s rage had been unrestrained. “Marry him, and you’ll be out of this house! “No money, nothing!” Susan went with tears in her eyes. Despite employing detectives, Steve was never able to locate her. After all these years, he realized she was fighting to survive with four children while alone and homeless.
“How many children?” he questioned Pastor Morris, his voice shaking. “Four,” the preacher responded. “Three daughters and one boy. Beautiful children.” Steve immediately ordered his private jet to be prepped. “Pastor, will you take me to my daughter?” he said quietly. Two hours later, they were in Los Angeles, driving to a mall parking lot where Susan and her children resided in an old pickup truck.
Pastor Morris recounted that after her husband died in a workplace accident, the insurance company refused to pay, and the bank foreclosed on her home. Susan had done her best to keep her children safe, nourished, and educated despite living in a car. As they approached the truck, they could hear youngsters laughing. A teenage girl was tickling her younger brother. When they saw Steve and Pastor Morris, they froze.
“Mom!” the girl exclaimed. “That preacher friend of yours is here!” A familiar voice inside the tent cried out, “Pastor Morris?” Susan stepped out, her eyes widening with surprise when she spotted her father standing there. “Daddy?” She muttered, her eyes welling with tears. Steve was astounded at how much she had aged. Years of hard work had worn down her face and roughened her hands.
“Susan,” he exclaimed, his voice breaking. “Look at you.” Check out what he did to you! I wished so much for you, and you married that man. “He gave you nothing but poverty.” Susan shakes her head. “He gave me love, Dad.” He gave me four gorgeous children. And I have done my best for them. I shall always adore him, just like I have always loved you.”
Steve cried. “Please, Susan,” he pleaded. “Forgive me.” Come home with me. Please allow me to assist you in caring for your children. Susan embraced her father, both of them in tears. Steve felt a weight lift off his chest, knowing that they could start over. Susan introduced him to his granddaughters before smiling and placing her hand on her son’s shoulder.
“And this,” she added softly, “is little Stevie.” “You named him after me?” Steve inquired, astounded. “After everything?” “I love you, Daddy,” Susan said. “I always have.” That afternoon, they all boarded Steve’s jet and headed back to Texas, ready to embark on a new chapter as a healed and united family.