Abandoned at age nine by his alcoholic father, Joshua Caleb Williamson was sheltered by his mother and his grandparents who lived next door. His grandfather, Thomas Blackwell, filled the role of the missing father in his life. He was also his pastor. Joshua and his childhood sweetheart, Carlee Graham, plan to finish high school, attend a local college together, and someday marry. When Hannah, Carlee's sister, is murdered, Joshua becomes disillusioned with life. He begins to run with the wrong crowd and turns to alcohol, the very substance that ruined his father's life. As Joshua makes plans, he decides to skip college and have a good time. Will he lose his childhood sweetheart's affections? Will he remain in a far country? Or will he make the right choice to return to his Father's house?