Delilah (16 page)

Samson scrambled to find his pants. “I've been here an hour. I told Julia I was on my way.”

“You'll learn to stop lying to your wife.” Delilah's laugh sounded sinister to Samson. It was as if she was mocking him for yielding to temptation once again.

“Where's the disk?”

“Oh it's blank, but you can have it.” Delilah reached on the coffee table and held it out.”

Samson threw his arms in the air. “I've got to get out of here.”

“If I were you, I would shower first. You wouldn't want to go home smelling like another woman, would you?”

Samson thought about it. Delilah had a point. He followed her to her bathroom, removed his clothes, and took a quick shower.

Delilah was sitting on the sofa in her living room when Samson finished showering and getting dressed.

“I want that disk, Delilah,” Samson demanded.

“There's no disk.”

He didn't believe her but would drop it for now. He had to get home to Julia before she got suspicious. “We'll talk about this later.”

“I betcha,” she said.

Samson broke several traffic laws trying to make it home. He checked his cell phone but didn't have any calls from Julia, so that put him at ease. “What is she doing here?” he asked out loud when he saw his mother's car in his driveway.

Samson said a quick prayer before heading into the house. “Lord, please don't let me say something disrespectful to my mama.”

Kelly greeted him at the door. “Here's my baby boy.”

“Mom, I'm thirty years old and married, so don't you think it's time for you to stop calling me baby boy?”

She looped her arms through his. “I don't care how old you get. You'll always be my baby boy.” They walked toward the dining room.

“Ain't he cute?” Julia teased.

“Oh, I see. Y'all going to double team me,” Samson surmised.

“Just having a little fun with you. Lighten up, son,” Kelly teased.

“I'm surprised to see you here,” Samson said to his mother.

“If you would take the time to call me or come see me, I wouldn't have to make these impromptu visits.”

Samson leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “You're here now. Why don't you stay for dinner?”

“I'm meeting your father over at a friend's, but I did want to talk to you about something.” She looked at Julia and then back at him. “Alone.”

“Follow me.” Samson led her to his study.

She took a seat. With her small frame, the black leather chair seemed to swallow her body. “My sources tell me that someone's been sweeping around your back-door.”

Samson sat in the chair next to her. “Translation please.”

“Delilah has been seen coming to your office on several occasions. Now, I haven't said anything to Julia because I'm sure there's nothing to tell.” Samson remained quiet. “There isn't anything to tell, right, son?” his mother asked for clarification.

“No, Mom,” he lied. He couldn't look her in the eyes.

“Well, hypothetically speaking, if there were”—he felt she knew he was lying—“it would be in your best interest to either stop counseling her by yourself or have one of the associate pastors do it. Being seen alone with that woman is not good for your marriage.”

“Delilah is not a problem.”

“Anytime a woman acts as brazenly as she does around you, there's a problem. She acts like she's your woman, and that's not good for your image.”

“So what all has Elaine told you?”

“Elaine's not the only person I talk to. I have eyes in many places. You best remember that.”

Samson reached for her hand. “Delilah is not a threat to my marriage. And if you must know, Julia and I are doing just fine, and I know you know what I mean.”

Kelly stood up. “In that case, my job here is done. You make sure things stay that way. And mark my words, Delilah is nothing but trouble.”

“Wasn't it you who taught me not to judge people?” Samson asked as he walked her out of the room.

“I also taught you not to be a fool either.”

“Touché.”

Samson walked his mom to her car. “Remember what I said. Stay clear of that woman. She'll be your downfall if you don't.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Samson turned to walk back in the house. Julia stood at the door waving at his mom. “So did you two have a nice visit?” she asked when Samson returned to the house.

Samson knew she wanted to know what was discussed, but he refused to let her know, so she could fish for information all she wanted. Over dinner, Julia discussed ideas she had for some of the church ministries.

“Now do you see why I need to quit my job?” Julia asked.

Samson saw how Julia's eyes lit up. He didn't want to disappoint her. Against Samson's better judgment, he responded, “Okay, give it until the end of the summer and put in your notice.”

“Thank you, honey,” Julia smiled.

Julia led Samson to the bedroom. She undressed him. “What's that?” she asked.

“What?”

“It's red.” Julia rubbed the scratch on his shoulder. A mark that was placed on him by Delilah the last time they were intimate.

Samson's underarms perspired. “Something bit me.” He looked at Julia, and since she didn't stop kissing him, he assumed she believed his lie. After another lovely night together, Julia fell into a sound sleep.

Sleep evaded Samson. He closed his eyes, but visions of fire and brimstone greeted him every time he drifted off. While Julia rested, Samson lay in torment, fighting his internal demons.

The grocery store was crowded. It seemed others had the same idea as Delilah. She got out early with hopes of beating the Saturday shopping crowd. Delilah couldn't decide whether to get apple juice or orange juice. Although she made a good salary working for William and had the money he had given her for his special assignment, Delilah was a frugal shopper.

“I can't believe I ran into you,” Kelly said.

Delilah looked up in her direction. Being coy, Delilah responded, “Hi, Mrs. Judges.”

Kelly lashed out at Delilah. “Don't speak to me, you home wrecker.”

A few of the people standing near looked in their direction.

In a calm and controlled voice, Delilah said, “Ma'am, maybe we need to table this conversation for later.” Delilah looked around, and some of the onlookers looked away.

Kelly moved her shopping cart beside Delilah's. “My son swears there's nothing going on between the two of you, but I'm a mother. I know when something's not right. You stay away from him, or you'll have me to deal with.”

Delilah had to hand it to the petite woman—she had spunk. If she wasn't Samson's mother, however, she would be lying on the floor of the grocery store. Delilah liked to remain low-key, so she would not be a participant in Kelly Judges' madness. She walked away.

Kelly yelled, “Don't walk away from me. If you can do the dirt, take it like a woman.”

Delilah left her buggy and walked near Kelly. “For a former first lady, you're acting like a woman with no class. I suggest you take your issues home to your husband or Samson because they are no concern of mine. Have a good day.”

Delilah turned around and walked to her shopping cart. She could hear Kelly mumbling something. She cut her shopping trip short and checked out with the groceries she already had in her basket.

As soon as she got in her car, Delilah dialed Samson's cell phone number. “You need to check your mama before I do,” she said when he answered. “She just cornered me in the grocery store trying to put all of your business out in the streets.”

“Say what?” Samson responded.

Delilah relayed what happened. “I didn't tell her anything. I tried to reason with her, but your mama is out of control.”

“I'm glad you told me,” Samson sighed. “I'll call her later.”

“Oh, I don't get a thank-you for keeping your little secret. I'm feeling so unappreciated these days.”

“Thank you, okay? Is that good enough for you?” he snapped.

“No need for an attitude. It's not my fault your mama is all up in your business. But you need to handle her before I do.”

“Don't threaten my mama.”

“Chill out. I wouldn't touch your mama. I'm saying, she's going around asking all these questions. She might get an answer she might not want to hear.”

“We've talked about this. You agreed to keep what goes on between us between us.” Samson's voice cracked.

“Mama's boy, haven't you heard a word I said? Your mama is the one putting your business out in the streets. Handle her, and your business will stay a secret; otherwise don't be surprised if everyone finds out about us.” Delilah hung up the phone without waiting on Samson to respond.

Delilah weaved in and out of traffic on Youree Drive. She had only a few bags of groceries, so it didn't take her long to unload them once she got home.

During her final trip to the car, one of her male neighbors asked, “Hey, who is that guy in the black SUV that be coming through? He looks familiar.”

“Mr. George, you sure are nosy.”

“You keep turning a brother down, so I just wanted to know who my competition is.”

Delilah laughed. Mr. George was old enough to be her grandfather. “Mr. George, you need to stop.”

“Be careful. Some of these men are only out for one thing. Don't let him break your heart.”

Too late. My heart is breaking every day because he's married to another woman.
“I'll be all right. But thanks for looking out.” Delilah smiled as she took the last bag into the house. Mr. George had been one of the first people to welcome her into the neighborhood. She mostly kept to herself, but on rare occasions she would stop and talk with him to find out the neighborhood gossip.

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.”

“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.