Delilah
Page 16
She thought about Kelly as she unpacked her groceries. She had some nerve stepping to her that way. Delilah was tired of women judging her because of her beauty. Kelly’s disrespectful actions mirrored that of some of the other women she had encountered lately at church. Someone at church had been spreading rumors about her, and she had a feeling she knew who it was, and it was high time she did something about it.
Delilah changed clothes and got comfortable on her couch. She retrieved the phone from the coffee table and dialed a number. “Is this Elaine?” Delilah asked when someone picked up.
“Speaking. Who is this?”
“Your worst nightmare if you don’t keep my name out of your mouth.”
“Who is this?”
“The woman you can’t seem to stop talking about. Ms. Delilah to you.”
“I know exactly who you are. I just wanted to see if you were bold enough to tell me.”
“Unlike you, I don’t have to go behind people’s backs and talk about them. Samson needs to watch who he has working for him.”
“Now you’re stepping into my business.”
“The moment you start putting my name in your mouth, you put me in your business.”
“I don’t have to stay on the phone and listen to this.”
“Then hang up. I just wanted you to know that I knew what you were up to. You probably want Samson for yourself, so that’s why you’re trying to cause confusion where there is none.”
“I hope Samson wakes up and sees you for the woman you are,” Elaine said.
“He needs to wake up and see what kind of person he has working for him. If you were so loyal, there would be no way you would be spreading false rumors about him.”
“I praise Samson; you on the other hand are nothing but a piece of trash. I hope you leave Peaceful Rest and go back to the hole you crawled out from.”
“Well, keep hoping because I’m not going anywhere.” Delilah hung the phone up, saying to herself, “And that’s a promise.”
Chapter 44
“Mom, how could you?” Samson asked as he talked to her on the phone.
“Why is she calling you? You shouldn’t be talking to her at all.”
Samson paced the floor in his den. Julia had stepped out, and this was the first time he’d had a chance to contact his mom about her confrontation with Delilah earlier that day. “I told you yesterday there’s nothing going on, so please drop it. If Julia hears of this, it’ll start some unnecessary drama.”
“Boy, don’t talk to me like that.”
“Mom, I didn’t raise my voice. I’m just saying, you were in a public place discussing private issues. You could have been a little bit more discreet if you were going to confront her.”
“I’ll give you that. But seeing her standing right there on the juice aisle, I forgot all about being the saved woman that I am. She brought out the worldly side of me.”
“Mom, you’ve always had a temper, so don’t go blaming that on Delilah.”
“I hope you take up for your wife as much as you take up for that Jezebel.”
Samson listened to his mom rant about Delilah. She talked about her lack of style and class and compared her indecency to the wholesomeness that Julia possessed. If it had been anybody but his mama, Samson would have hung up the phone.
Once Samson’s mom got tired of talking about Delilah, she asked, “How’s that lovely wife of yours anyway?”
“Oh, Julia’s fine. She ran an errand, and I’m waiting on her to get back.”
“Concentrate on your marriage and stop fraternizing with that woman.”
“Julia and I are fine, and I’m sure you know that since you two call and talk to each other every day.”
“If you must know, yes, Julia thinks so, but I’ve met plenty of women like Delilah, and I’m going to tell you like I tell Julia—I don’t trust her and neither should you.”
Samson’s phone beeped. Elaine’s number flashed across the screen. “Mom, this is Elaine. I’ll talk to you later.” He clicked over. “Elaine, what’s going on? I normally don’t hear from you on Saturdays.”
“That woman almost made me forget I was saved for a minute.”
Samson had a feeling he knew which woman she was talking about. Against his better judgment he asked, “Who? And what did she do?”
“Delilah Baker has gotten on my last nerve. She had the nerve to call my house accusing me of spreading rumors about her. Samson, I want you to know whatever that woman tells you is far from the truth.”
“Calm down. I haven’t talked to her, and I don’t plan on doing so until our next session.”
“Well, I just wanted you to know. I don’t want you thinking I’m out there bad-mouthing you, Pastor. It’s her I can’t stand.”
“Elaine, you know God doesn’t want us to be backbiting.”
“Pastor, I try not to talk about anybody, but something about that woman brings out the worst in me.”
“You need to pray and ask God to work with you on that. Don’t allow those feelings to hinder your relationship with God.”
“Oh no, Pastor. I read my scriptures every day, and I pray. I ask God to forgive me for the evil thoughts I have concerning Delilah—I really do.” Elaine attempted to assure him.
Samson knew Elaine was serious, but she didn’t need to convince him. She needed to take her issues directly to God. “I want you to read these scriptures and meditate on them.” Samson recited verses from Psalms and Proverbs that spoke specifically about backbiting.
“As soon as I get off the phone with you, I’m going to read these. I promise.”
Satisfied that Elaine had calmed down, Samson ended their call. He was unaware Julia had returned. She greeted him with a smile when he entered the kitchen. “Baby, why didn’t you say something? I could have helped you bring the bags in,” Samson said as he helped her unpack the groceries.
“Sounded like you were counseling someone, so I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t come talk to me, okay?” Samson said. Julia stopped what she was doing and looked at him. “Is there something you want to tell me, Samson?” she asked.
“No, baby. I just want to make sure we have open communication. If anything is bothering you, don’t hesitate to let me know, and I’ll do the same.”
Julia continued to put away the groceries. “Now you know I’ve never had a problem telling you what’s on my mind.”
“I know our marriage started off a little rocky, so I just want to make sure we keep our relationship moving in a positive direction.”
Julia stopped again and faced him. “Everything’s moving right along.”
Her response seemed too crisp. Samson had a suspicion she had heard some rumors concerning Delilah too. If she wanted to pretend the rumors didn’t exist, so would he. He would not open up Pandora’s box.
Chapter 45
Sunday morning found Delilah curled up in a ball. Her stomach felt like a twisted knot. The food she ate the night before didn’t agree with her. By the time the ibuprofen she took earlier kicked in, church services were long under way. Now that she was a member of Peaceful Rest, she rarely watched the services on TV. This Sunday, she had no choice.
With her elbow propped up on a pillow, she watched as the choir sang a hymn. Samson and the congregation joined in as he took his place behind the podium. The camera scanned the church. Delilah wanted to knock the happy look off Julia’s face as she sat on the front pew with her baby blue hat trimmed with gold and diamond-like studs. “That should be me,” Delilah said out loud.
Samson had the congregation hyped. “Are you being faithful to God? Now don’t answer that just yet. Turn your Bibles to the sixteenth chapter of Luke.”
Delilah reached over to her nightstand and pulled her Bible out. She found the scripture and read it out loud. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
Samson got several amens. Delilah wished she was there so she could get a better feel for how people were responding to Samson’s sermon. The cameras remained on Samson, but she wanted it to move around the congregation.
“You’re such a hypocrite,” Delilah yelled at the television.
At the closing of his sermon, he said, “So before we leave here today, I want each and every one of us to ask ourselves, Are we being faithful to God?”
The broadcast ended. By then, the medicine had kicked in, and Delilah’s stomach no longer hurt. Physically Delilah felt fine, but the old Delilah—the one she tried to keep at bay most of the time—threatened to resurface. Delilah thought about what Keisha said about finding a new church home. The more she thought about it, the more that didn’t seem like a bad idea after all.
Delilah spent the rest of the day channel surfing and on the Internet. She checked Samson’s Facebook page for updates. She felt Julia should be monitoring his page because some of the pictures of the women leaving comments were provocative. Those same women knew by Samson’s profile name that he was a reverend. Some hussies had no shame.
Delilah ignored the alert for private messages from guys she didn’t really know but were on her friends list. “He must be crazy,” she said out loud when she saw a friend request from Luther. She had to hand it to him, he was persistent—cute, dumb, and persistent.
Delilah was surprised to see Julia on Facebook too. Out of curiosity she clicked on the link. Because she wasn’t a friend, she was not able to see the comments. She clicked the photos link. “I’m going to be sick again,” Delilah said out loud as she clicked on the slideshow from Julia and Samson’s wedding. Delilah was surprised to see herself in one of the pictures. It was when she had caught the bridal bouquet. Delilah and Julia both had fake smiles plastered on their faces.
As much as Delilah hated to admit it, Julia did make a lovely bride. It was too bad her happiness would be short-lived if Delilah had anything to do about it. She clicked off Julia’s page and posted a question to her own page. “What would you do if you were in love with another woman’s husband?”
The topic must have been hot because by the end of the night Delilah had fifty comments from different people on her friends list. Most of the people said they wouldn’t act on it. A few said they would and even went into detail about how they would go about getting the man they wanted. Delilah shook her head. “Just scandalous.”
Michelle sent her a private instant message. “You’re a little bold putting your business out there.”
Delilah responded, “Just because I ask a question doesn’t make it personal.”
“I know you better not be talking about the pastor.”
Who does she think she is? The marriage patrol? Delilah thought. Delilah typed, “Are you guilty of thinking about someone else’s husband?”
“It’s hard having a civil conversation with someone uncivilized.”
Delilah said out loud: “You contacted me. I didn’t contact you.” Delilah typed, “And you have a good day too, Sister Michelle.”
Delilah laughed because she was sure Michelle was mad that Delilah wouldn’t go back and forth with her on a subject that was none of her business. She needed to worry about that handsome husband of hers. Delilah didn’t care how perfect their relationship seemed; she was sure if she wanted to she could break up their happy union.
Michelle’s instant message image disappeared. “Don’t back up now. Anybody else out there got something to say to me?”
Michelle needed to mind her own business as far as Delilah was concerned. She was lucky Delilah didn’t have her heart set on Calvin.
Chapter 46
Two months had passed since Samson and Julia had said the words “I do.” Married life for the Judges had done a one hundred eighty-degree turn. Julia’s attitude was more pleasant, and Samson no longer needed Viagra to perform some of his husbandly duties. Life for Samson couldn’t be better. It had been a week since he’d heard from Delilah. He should have been more concerned about a member of his flock, but under the circumstances, it was best that they kept their contact with each other at a minimum.
“Samson, I’ve been calling out for you,” Julia said, as she stepped out of the walk-in closet holding one of his pin-striped suits.
“Just find me a suit that will match your dress.”
“Can you wear this one?” she asked. Julia held up a dark brown suit.
“I should be able to. I haven’t gained any weight.”
Julia tilted her head. “Baby, you’re still fine, but you have put on a few pounds.”
“It’s all that good cooking and loving you’re giving me.”
“Whatever.” She went back to the closet and came out holding a black suit with lime green pin-stripes. “I like this one. I have the perfect dress to match.”
“You’ll look good in anything.”
Julia smiled. “Samson, I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I like it.”
“Hurry up and put those clothes up and show me how much.”
An hour later, Julia and Samson cuddled. “See, I told you being married to a minister wouldn’t be boring.”
“I wasn’t too sure. My parents seemed so boring growing up. I just knew a preacher was the last man I would ever want to marry.” She looked into Samson’s eyes. “And then I met you.”
Samson kissed her. “It was love at first sight for me too.”
They kissed some more. Samson’s cell phone rang in the background. “Aren’t you going to get it?” Julia asked.
“They can wait.” Samson went back to kissing Julia.
Julia used her hand to stop him. “It might be important.”
Samson couldn’t disagree with her. “Hold on. Don’t move.”
He sat up on the side of the bed and retrieved his cell phone. The call had gone to voice mail. He scrolled through his missed calls and dialed Delilah’s number. “Hello.” Silence on the other end. “Hello,” he said again.
“Samson, why haven’t I heard from you?”
Samson’s entire demeanor changed. He got out of the bed and went out in the hallway. “Do you know what time it is?”
“Please, I need you,” Delilah begged.
“Call the office tomorrow. I’ll make sure Monroe’s available to speak with you.” Samson didn’t wait for Delilah to respond before he ended the call. His pleasant mood turned sour. Delilah called right back. He hit the ignore button and turned his phone off.
Julia was sitting straight up in the bed when he entered the bedroom. “Who was that?” she asked.
“Nobody important.” Samson’s forehead tensed up.
“Whoever it was must have pissed you off?”
“I’ll be all right. Let’s not talk about it. Where were we before we got interrupted?” Samson placed his phone on the nightstand and crawled into bed with Julia.
He woke up to an empty bed. He called out for Julia but didn’t get an answer. He reached for his cell phone but didn’t see it. “I swear I thought I put the phone on this side of the clock.” He was surprised to find it on Julia’s side of the bed.
Samson went in search for Julia, but she was nowhere in the house. He was disappointed she didn’t wake him up before leaving. A piece of paper on the kitchen counter caught his attention. The note indicated that Julia had to leave for an early hair appointment. He tossed the note in the trash and then went upstairs to shower and dress.
Shortly afterward, he was back in the kitchen fixing himself a bowl of cereal. An hour later he was entering his office. Elaine put the person she had on the phone on hold and greeted him as soon as he walked through the door. Things between them had been tense since the day he went off on her about Delilah. Gradually, things we
re getting back to normal between them. There was one thing left he knew he had to do, something that weighed on his shoulders.
“Elaine, when you get off the phone, let me see you in my office.”
He sat down and started preparing for his day, beginning with prayer. Elaine was standing at the door when he finished praying. “I didn’t want to interrupt,” she said.
“Come on in and have a seat,” Samson invited her.
Elaine, humbled, sat down across from him. She remained quiet. “I wanted to apologize for the tone I used with you last week,” Samson said.
“That’s water under the bridge,” Elaine assured him with the swish of her hand.
“I care for you as not only a church member, but I consider you a friend. I know you’re only looking out for my best interest, and I appreciate it.” Samson had let his guilt from messing around with Delilah cause him to be too abrupt with Elaine that day. But he was still adamant about her not disclosing information to other people outside of the office, especially his wife.
Elaine responded, “I’ll try my best to keep my comments about certain people to myself.”
Samson knew she was referring to Delilah. “It will cut down on confusion for everyone involved.”
“Well, if there’s nothing else, I need to finish the church programs for Sunday.”
“That’ll be all,” Samson responded. As soon as Elaine was out of his office and shut the door, Samson let out a heavy sigh. Elaine didn’t realize how close she was to being fired. He needed an assistant who could keep her mouth shut.
Chapter 47
Dorothy had done her best to keep Delilah out of the loop when it came to the duties of the Pastor’s Aide committee for the pre-anniversary celebration they were having for Samson on Friday night. Fortunately for Delilah, not everybody on the committee had a personal vendetta against her. In fact, one of the other older women, Lora Stampley, didn’t like the way Dorothy always wanted to have the final word on things.