Marta Burden,West Line Encounter

Seth Haberman is your average guy––family man, marriage reconciliation counselor, Modern Orthodox Jew who follows Torah to the best of his ability. He loves his wife and his kids.

His little plot of land in rural Illinois is all he needs to fulfill his life’s dream of security and peace. Everything is good.

Seth’s life is about to change. He meets Joshua Josephson on the Chicago West Line Metra.

It’s been a stressful day at work. Seth’s desire is to leave his job behind and relax with his wife, Rivka and their six children. However, he does something he’s never done before. He invites this stranger to dinner. And not only that, he allows Joshua to stay for a week.

Seth is under deadline to finish the garage apartment for his sister-in-law and her soon to be husband. Joshua mentions that he’s done carpentry work. Seth asks Joshua to stay on and help him finish the project.                 

Seth’s friend, Richard has concerns about this man. Could he be a danger to the family?

One day before the completion of the apartment, a crisis threatens to challenge the very core of the Haberman family. Will Joshua’s presence help or hinder?

At weeks end, Seth and Rivka are faced with questions that will change the course of their lives.

Has Seth made a mistake in inviting Joshua into his home?

Marta Burden is a published author with stories in Inspire Anthologies, including Faith, Victory and Promise.

Marta graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Biblical Literature, and began her career as a bookkeeper, office manager and eventually executive secretary for an education/lobbying organization. Now retired, she devotes her time to her love of writing contemporary fiction, devotionals and short stories.