“This will be the last time I am asking for your services,” Samson had said to Jimmy. “We can’t push our luck in these matters.”
Jimmy had nodded and opened two more cans of beer. “We need to seal this deal with a toast, Reverend.” He lifted his can in the air and slurred, “A toast on money, luck, and women.”
Samson did not like such a toast, but still raised his can and said, “Whatever.”
But now he was home and he could let his hair down a bit and relax. Maybe a good ballgame on TV would do wonders. Didn’t the Speckled Panthers play tonight?
As he stepped into the living room he spotted Precious in the corner. She was mending some of his broken socks by the light of the standing lamp.
“Precious? I had not expected you home tonight.” Samson pursed his lips. “Aren’t you supposed to be praying…I mean, isn’t it the night for Bible study?”
Precious looked up. “Hello, Samson. No, I decided to stay home tonight.”
Samson couldn’t quite place the expression on her face. Why was she looking so serious? There was something on her mind. Samson stared at her for a second and then walked to the television set. He was not in the mood for difficult talks with Precious and he switched on the box. “Hope you don’t mind,” he mumbled. “The Speckled Panthers are in the playoffs.”
Precious frowned. “Actually, I do mind. I am not in the mood to watch sports tonight.”
“Come on honey,” Samson argued. “You’re never in the mood and I—”
“Samson, I need to talk to you,” Precious interrupted him. She put down her needle and thread and put the sock she was working on back in her ‘to-do basket.’
Samson sighed. He longingly cast a glance at the game. They were already busy with the warming up. Maybe he could watch the rerun later. He switched it off with a sigh. “Well, what’s the matter this time? I am tired, Precious. I have a lot of responsibilities.”
“I know,” Precious nodded. “And I am afraid you’re going to have some more.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Precious looked him squarely in the eye. “I went to see Candy Casselmann in town a few days ago.”
A shock went through Samson’s body. “W-what? Why would you do such a thing?” he said. His face turned chalky white.
“I wanted to talk to her, Samson,” Precious answered. “I got another letter from Madeleine Stone and—”
“Madeleine Stone is a liar,” Samson roared. His headache started to pound and anger coursed through his body. How come you believe God’s enemies rather than me, the Lord’s anointed?”
Precious remained calm and spoke with a firm voice, “Even a broken clock tells the truth two times a day, Samson.”
“What? That Candy woman is a prostitute. I am trying to woo her into the Kingdom. We had this conversation already.”
Precious raised her eyebrows. “She is carrying your child, Samson.”
Samson had been theatrically swinging his arms around, but on instant his arms dropped next to his body. Even his dreadlocks stopped moving and his mouth hung wide open as he stared at Precious. Except for the ticking of the wall clock, it was completely silent in the room. Finally, he cleared his throat and spoke.
“W-What did you say?”
“A baby,” Precious answered. “She’s carrying your baby.”
“But…eh…that is preposterous. It’s ridiculous. She’s a whore for crying out loud. She’s going to bed with thousands of men and now she claims I created a baby inside her?”
“Excuse me,” Precious argued. “God creates. God makes babies. You don’t create anything. All you apparently did was make use of your manhood.”
“What?” Fresh waves of anger rolled in and Samson’s eyes got so big it almost looked as if they would pop out at any moment. “Didn’t you hear what I said? She’s a prostitute. Prostitutes lie and lay all the time.”
But Precious was not impressed. She felt the strength of the Spirit backing her up. “Samson, it is time you quit your double life. You need to get right with God and start behaving like the real man God wants you to be instead of an irresponsible baby.”
An irresponsible baby? The room started to turn and Samson’s throat felt dry. Besides his splitting headache, now his tummy started to hurt as well. He needed an aspirin. No, he needed four aspirins. Or maybe a glass of whiskey. But he couldn’t drink now. Precious shouldn’t know about his secret stash of liquor bottles behind his computer. He lurched to the cabinet and pulled out a drawer.
“Where’s the aspirin, Precious?” he yelled.
“Right there,” Precious answered without emotion.
But Samson couldn’t see it. He saw nothing. In deep frustration, he pushed the drawer with a loud bang back into the cabinet and stumbled back to the couch where he slumped down. Then he looked up with glistening eyes and asked, “How do I know this is not an evil plot concocted by Armsteadt and Madeleine Stone to ruin my ministry?”
“Because I believe her,” Precious answered. “I went there. I’ve seen her and my heart broke for her.”
Samson stared at her with a blank look. “Your heart broke for her? But your heart breaks even for the canary of the neighbors. That’s no proof.”
“Samson…” Precious was not about to give in. “Believe me, this is for real. This baby has nothing to do with Armsteadt or Madeleine Stone. But it has everything to do with you.”
Samson broke. Big tears rolled out of his eyes. “My ministry is going to be ruined,” he wailed. “They are going to get me after all.”
Precious shook her head. “Stop it, Samson. You’re not crying because you are truly sorry. You’re just crying because you are about to get caught. Seek God’s help, Samson. Cry out to Him and don’t feel sorry for yourself.”
Samson dried his tears with his dreadlocks. “Can’t she get an abortion?”
Precious’ eyes flashed with anger. “No, Samson. She cannot get an abortion. And since you are the father we will have to take responsibility. We’re going to have to help Candy. I don’t care if it’s ruining your good name. What should really matter is your good name before God.”
Samson leaned forward and put his head in between his legs and sobbed. “What do I do now, Precious?” he asked with muffled voice.
“We’re going to have to go to Candy and work something out. The good thing is, maybe we can really help this poor girl to become a part of God’s Kingdom. She seems so lost.”
Samson looked up at her and shook his head. “O God,” he sighed. “Why, O, why have you forsaken me?”
Chapter 8
Divide & Conquer
“DIVIDE & CONQUER!” IS the Devil’s own slogan
Armsteadt leaned back in his swivel chair and glanced at Madeleine Stone. She was dressed in a revealing red women’s suit and while she cast her blond curls behind her back with a skilled wave of her manicured fingers she smiled a luscious smile. Armsteadt broke out into a sweat and started to rub his bald spot.
“L-Let’s stay focused, Madeleine,” he said.
“Of course,” Madeleine answered as she batted her eyes. “I am fully focused.”
“W-Well, what will be our next move to expose Samson?”
The door opened and Bunky Weaslemeyer walked in. “Sorry, I am late,” he said apologetically. “Traffic is killing me, these days.”
“Bunky, we were just considering our next move,” Armsteadt said.
Bunky gestured with his head that he was ready to listen.
“Your contact from prison,” Madeleine turned to Bunky, “didn’t do us any good.”
“He didn’t?”
“Well,” added Armsteadt, “he managed to destroy part of the church, but Samson’s deacons weren’t impressed. Samson said it was persecution and cursed us. I am sure he knew who was behind it.”
“More destruction, maybe?” Bunky suggested.
“Too dangerous,” said Armsteadt as he shook his head. “That contact of yours is a shady character if
I may say so. If he would turn against us, we have hell to pay. I thought about it long and hard and I think I have another solution.”
“What’s that?” Madeleine asked.
“We’ll have a debate with Samson. Right on national television. We represent the majority of the churches in our area and we’ll nail him right in the face of the public.”
Madeleine pondered Armsteadt’s words. “What if he doesn’t want to come?”
“Yeah,” piped up Bunky. “The man is a coward.”
“We’ll win either way,” said Armsteadt with a smile, “The public loves a good debate and if he doesn’t want to come, everyone will believe he has something to hide. Public opinion will turn against him. If he does come to the debate we’ll make life so hard on him that the public will also turn against him. We can’t lose.”
“But,” Madeleine asked, “What substantial proof do we really have on him? My testimony about his seductive manners won’t help since it’s just my words against his.”
Armsteadt nodded. “Yes, we’ve got to get some shocking proof.”
“We need pictures,” cried Bunky. “We’ll trap him.” He turned to Madeleine and asked, “Didn’t you say your private eye found out he’s having a relationship with a prostitute? We need to know when he goes there, and we’ll hide in her room and make pictures.” Bunky got quite excited as he was unfolding his plan.
“Good idea,” Madeleine said. “But how do we get in her room?”
“That’s easy,” said Bunky. “She’s a…lady of the night,” Bunky spoke the word slowly as he licked his lips. “Whores do anything for the right price.”
“I see.” Armsteadt smiled.
“That girl might indeed be the key to success.” Madeleine continued. “She may even be pregnant with Samson’s baby. At this point, it is hard to prove as this woman is sleeping with lots of different men, but my detective overheard her talk about it to some…eh…colleagues of hers.” Madeleine thought for a moment. “And she’ll no doubt abort the baby in a jiffy. That’s what I would do. But she probably hates the guy for getting her pregnant and will, therefore, be like soft clay in our hands.”
“Great,” said Armsteadt, “then we are agreed. I will set up a date for a juicy debate on TV and you, Bunky; can talk to this…this woman that is selling her body for profit and set up the trap.”
“Great,” Bunky cried out in excitement. “Consider it done.”
*
Samson was just sitting down in front of his television set with a plate of pork chops, mashed potatoes and a glass of iced tea when the telephone went. He groaned and stared at the phone.
“What now?”
It had been a gruelling day and Samson was not in the mood for more trouble. Armsteadt had sent him an official invitation to a live television debate, called Satan, Sex, and Separation. With a title like that Samson figured the whole nation, minus the kids would be watching. Having to face Bob Armsteadt and Madeleine Stone in a live debate was the last thing he wanted to do. The confrontation with Precious and especially the fact that a prostitute was apparently carrying his baby had been the last straw. Something inside of him had snapped. He didn’t want to fight anymore. He was tired, and now this stupid live debate… Madeleine knew everything. She knew about Candy Casselmann. She knew about his affair with Yayla and of course, she knew all about her own affair with him, although that was the least of his worries since he didn’t think Madeleine would bring that up.
The phone kept ringing.
Precious wasn’t home to answer the phone. She had gone off to another prayer meeting. Why did he have to do everything by himself?
He jerked up out of his seat and knocked over his iced tea in the process. Great!
“Hello…Reverend Jackson here,” he barked in the horn and listened.
For a moment, it was silent. Then a small voice answered. “Samson?”
Samson knew that voice. “Candy?”
“Y-Yes, it’s m-me,” said Candy.
“Why are you calling me here at home, Candy? Don’t do that.” Samson had no control over his emotions.
“I-eh…is Mrs. Jackson home?”
“You mean Precious? No, she isn’t. You will have to talk to me, Candy.”
“Can she call me back, Samson?”
“My name is Reverend Jackson, Candy. Talk to me.”
He strained his ear as Candy was mumbling something, but he couldn’t quite hear what she was saying. Was she crying?
“Please tell her to c-call me, Reverend Jackson,” Candy said again. The number is 555-198.”
“Candy…listen to me. Why—” But Candy had hung up and the phone was dead. Samson sighed and scolded himself for having been so rude to Candy. Precious would not be pleased with him. But he was so just tired. Life was just getting too hard.
He walked over to the kitchen and got the mop to clean up the spilled iced tea. He wished Precious would come home soon. Precious somehow seemed to be the only one that had some sense these days and he needed her strength. Then he remembered his food and he slouched down again in front of the TV and ended up watching an old Alfred Hitchcock movie. After all, a man had to do something to fight stress.
When Precious came home later that night Samson was bent over in front of the television. He was fast asleep.
Chapter 9
Never Wrong To Do Right
IT IS NEVER the wrong time to do the right thing.
From: Galgaliel
To: Ariel, the lion of God and the protector
You have done well and all Heaven continues to cheer for you. However be aware that the Enemy is furious and is planning another great attack. Although nothing can stand against the force of our beloved King, we still wish to alert you of the Enemy’s plans so you will plan the proper strategy.
Respectfully yours,
Galgaliel from the Heavenly Courts
*
“Well, what did Candy have to say?” Samson urged Precious. She had called Candy back and they had had a long conversation.
“She’s a sweetheart,” Precious said, “A real jewel.”
“Why?” Samson wanted to know as he plucked on his dreadlocks.
“A man came to her house and offered her a lot of money.”
“For what,” Samson demanded, “For sex?”
Precious shook her head. “No, Samson. He wants to make secret, dirty pictures of her clients.”
“So, he’s a pervert then?”
Precious shook her head again. “He’s only interested in one client in particular.”
“Oh? Why does she need to bother us with that information?”
“Because,” said Precious, “That client is you.”
A shock went through Samson’s body. “M-Me?”
“Yes, you Samson. You cannot touch pitch and have clean hands. Your enemies are on the prowl.”
“B-But I am not going to Candy anymore?”
Precious agreed. “But Armsteadt and Madeleine Stone don’t know that. They suspect you’ll visit Candy again and they will lie in wait. One picture is enough.”
Samson gritted his teeth.
“But it won’t work,” Precious went on, “because, I will be going to see Candy.”
“What? You are going there?”
Precious smiled. “Candy told this man that she has an appointment with Jackson this coming Friday at two in the afternoon. Only, she didn’t say which Jackson. I am a Jackson too and I already had an appointment with Candy to give her some money for the baby.”
“You did?”
“Yes…Candy is our responsibility now. Although I think she may not even need our money this time. Armstaedt has given her a good amount of money for having his photographer there.”
Samson was silent. He didn’t know what to say. Feelings of guilt and shame that he had managed to sweep under the carpet of his elevated heart somehow showed their ugly faces again. Everything seemed so different now that Precious knew about it all.
“I
think Candy is very important to the Lord. She needs to hear the Gospel.” Precious looked at Samson. “Did you ever witness to her?”
Samson lowered his eyes. “A little bit. I told her about tithing and stuff like that…”
“I see,” said Precious. “Well, it’s never too late to do the right thing, isn’t it?”
“Guess not,” mumbled Samson, although he wasn’t sure how it all would work out. He just hoped Jimmy would do his job right.
*
Samson was surprised when Precious told him she wasn’t coming along to the live debate with Armsteadt and Madeleine Stone.
“You aren’t coming? But then I’ll be all alone?” He plucked on his dreadlocks and his forehead puckered into deep folds.
But Precious shook her head. “No Samson, you are not alone. God is with you.” She took his hand in hers and said, “After all, you got yourself into this mess and you need to take responsibility. But I am going over to Mary Culbert and will spend the morning fasting and praying for you. I’ll be of much better use to you in that way.”
“But what if it all goes wrong?” Samson said with a broken voice.
“So be it,” Mary said. “God’s will be done, but as I said before, you can count on me to help you pick up the pieces.”
Samson stared at Precious. He was holding on to her so tight that Precious pulled a face. But Samson didn’t let go. “Precious?”
“Yes, Samson?”
“W-Will you pray for me? I am scared. I’ve never felt this way before.”
She looked up into Samson’s face and brushed his forehead with her hand. “Sure, Samson.” She closed her eyes and while she was leaning against Samson she prayed her gentle prayer.
“Dear Jesus, Thank you that Your words start to seep through Samson’s hardened heart. When we turn to the light the darkness has to flee. Samson is starting to turn to the light, dear Lord. Please have Your way with him today. Amen.”
Then she kissed him on his cheek and left to go to Mary Culbert.
*
Samson was quite familiar with work at the Television studio. After all; he had his own TV show every Sunday, so the pressure he felt on his chest must be due to meeting Armsteadt and the wicked witch Madeleine Stone; on national television this time. He had no idea what he would say. It was going to be a disaster.
Pastor Samson's Secret Sins: The Story Of A Strong Man of God With A Weakness For Women Page 9