Delilah (17 page)

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.”

“There was another topic I had planned to discuss with y'all today, but the Lord had other plans. How can we be faithful to God when we're not faithful to the ones we love? Husbands must be faithful to their wives, wives to their husbands.”

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.

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 were 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.

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.

“I'll see you at six,” Lora said.

“Six?” Delilah asked.

“Yes, I thought somebody told you. Plus it was in the church bulletin.”

“Ms. Lora, thank you for letting me know the time changed,” Delilah said. She hadn't paid attention to the date change in the church bulletin, so she was glad Lora called her.

“No problem, dear. I'll see you there,” Lora said before disconnecting the call.

The dinner for the pre-anniversary celebration had been moved up to six o'clock, so that meant Delilah had only thirty minutes to get ready. It seemed everyone else had been notified of this but her. Fortunately, she already had her clothes picked out. Delilah would show them. Since Dorothy and her buddies wanted to be ugly, she would arrive only in time for the dinner to start. She had planned on helping with decorations and anything else. See, God didn't like ugly, and as Ms. Shadows used to say, He wasn't too keen on cute either.

Satisfied she was dressed to impress, Delilah drove to the Holiday Inn, the place where the dinner was being held. She recognized church members in the parking lot.

Everybody wore their Sunday best on this Friday night. Some people greeted Delilah, while others turned their noses up. She never could understand church folks. Some of their attitudes were enough to turn away someone, but fortunately for her, she was secure.

She bypassed the long line and went to the registration desk. Two women from Pastor's Aide were checking people in. “Do y'all need some help?” Delilah asked.

One of the women looked up. The expression on her face let Delilah know she was surprised to see her. “No, uh, we got it covered,” she stuttered.

“Fine. Then I'll just go on in.”

There was assigned seating. The Pastor's Aide committee and their guests were supposed to sit near the pastor and other ministers. She hoped there was enough room for everyone because she was headed to take a seat at the table. She would not be without a seat.

Delilah reached the table and sat down. She had a good view of the front podium. “I see you made it,” Dorothy said.

Delilah turned to look in her direction. “No thanks to you.”

“I meant to call you, but I got busy.” Dorothy's hands were full of programs.

“Sister Dorothy, no need to lie.”

“I can't believe you're calling me a liar right here in my face.” She took one of the programs and fanned.

“Would you rather me talk behind your back?”

Michelle, with Calvin by her side, walked up. “Ladies, everything all right here?”

All eyes were on Delilah. Delilah looked at Dorothy. “It's fine as far as I'm concerned.”

“Dear, can you help me pass out these programs?” Dorothy turned and asked Michelle.

Michelle followed behind Dorothy. Calvin sat at the end of the table. “Don't let Ms. Dorothy get under your skin.”

Delilah retrieved her compact mirror from her purse. “I've confronted worse.”

Calvin said, “Luther, told me about your date.”

“Don't get me started on your trifling brother-in-law.” Delilah checked her reflection in the mirror and snapped it shut.

“I did tell him he was the one in the wrong.”

Delilah and Calvin talked about Luther. Calvin confessed, “It was Michelle's idea. I should have used my better judgment and stayed out of it. Luther's not relationship material.”

“You can say that again.”

Most of the tables in the room were getting filled up. Delilah coughed a few times. “Calvin, make sure no one gets my seat. I'm going to go see if I can find a water fountain.”

Delilah's cough didn't subside until she drank some water. She detoured to the restroom before returning to the banquet area. When she entered the bathroom, she came face-to-face with Julia, who stood in front of the mirror adjusting her lime green skirt.

Delilah stood and watched her for a few seconds before Julia looked up. Neither said a word. Delilah walked in and retrieved a tissue from the box on the sink's counter. She turned the water on, and it spurted out, splashing on Julia. “Sorry,” Delilah said.

“Yeah right,” Julia responded.

“Excuse me?” Delilah didn't like Julia's attitude.

“You heard me right the first time.”

Delilah was steps away from reaching over and popping Peaceful Rest's first lady in the face, but the door opening saved her from making a step in Julia's direction. Both she and Julia turned to see who was entering.

The unknown woman went into a bathroom stall. Delilah looked directly at Julia. “Is there something you want to say to me?” Delilah asked

Julia seemed to retreat. “I have nothing to say to you.”

“Then good luck with that water spot.” Delilah turned and walked out of the bathroom.