Delilah (8 page)

Tensions were flying high the entire day. Samson found himself putting out one fire after another. If it wasn't one of his church members calling and needing prayer, it was his mother or Julia calling with last-minute wedding changes. Elaine had taken off early to go get her hair done, so he was left answering the phone.

“Thought you could use some relaxation,” Delilah said as she entered his office carrying a white Styrofoam plate. “I come bearing food.”

Samson hadn't eaten all day. “You didn't have to bring me anything.”

“I figured all the women in your life would be busy getting ready for your big day.” She opened up the plate. It was filled with baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, and corn bread.

Samson couldn't resist the food. Delilah sat and watched him as he devoured the food. “This was right on time,” he said as he ate the last bite of greens.

“I aim to please.”

“Thank you for behaving yourself at the bridal shower last night.”

“Samson, I love you. I would not do anything to deliberately hurt you.” Delilah's eyes twinkled.

“We can be friends. I won't be able to talk to you like I talk to you now, but when we see each other, we can be cordial.”

“I am on your Pastor's Aide committee, so we'll still have a lot to discuss.”

“I've been meaning to talk to you about that. Maybe you should resign from the committee.”

Delilah looked worried. “Please don't kick me off the committee. You'll never find another member more committed to your cause than me,” Delilah pleaded.

“That's not what I was going to say. I just think you should let Ms. Dorothy or Michelle handle reporting stuff to me from now on.”

Delilah twisted around in her seat. “You're afraid to be alone with me, aren't you?”

Samson didn't respond. “Delilah, you know our history.”

She leaned forward. “I promise to behave as long as you do.” She winked.

“I dropped by to bring you lunch, but it seems someone else beat me to it,” Julia said, entering the room. She placed the brown paper bag on the nearest table in Samson's office.

“Hello to you too, Julia,” Delilah said.

“Why is it every time I turn around, I find her here?” Julia looked directly at Samson.

Samson stuttered, “What had happened was, I was working. Delilah decided to drop me off something to eat. That's it.”

He stood up and hugged Julia. Her arms remained to her side. Delilah leaned back in her chair with a smug look on her face.

“Jules—I can call you Jules, can't I?—there's no need for you to be jealous. You're the best woman, remember?” Delilah assured her.

“I don't like the sight of this one bit,” Julia said, obviously frustrated from the tone of her voice.

“Delilah's been having a hard time lately. She needed some advice,” Samson lied. He looked at Delilah and with his eyes tried to tell her to help back him up.

Julia placed her arm around his waist. “When we get married, this spiritual counseling needs to cease.”

Samson knew Julia didn't care for Delilah, but he was not too fond of the jealous streak his fiancée possessed. His church had more women members than men, and on any given day some would need counseling. He wondered if Julia would have the same possessive spirit with those women. Besides, he only agreed to counsel Delilah so he could keep tabs on her. He felt as long as Delilah got to spend a little time with him, she would be satisfied and wouldn't resort to ruining his world by revealing their affair. He would not allow Julia to interfere with his plans.

“Julia, this isn't open for discussion.” Samson then addressed Delilah. “Delilah, thanks for the lunch. I hope I solved your problem. If you don't mind, I need to speak with my fiancée alone.”

Delilah eased out of her chair at a slow pace. “The next time I see you two, you'll be walking down the aisle.”

“You're coming to the wedding?” Julia asked.

“Of course. I wouldn't miss seeing my two favorite people tie the knot. Tootles,” Delilah said as she sashayed out the room.

“I have to pray every night for God to forgive me for the evil thoughts that run through my mind concerning that woman,” Julia said.

“Baby, you have to get past this. There will be plenty of women who need my spiritual guidance.” Samson moved and sat down behind his desk.

Julia sat on the corner of his desk. “She just rubs me the wrong way. I used to not have a problem with her, but this crush she has on you seems to be more than just a crush.”

“She can't help it. I am kind of cute, don't you think?” Samson hoped his joking would ease the tension between them. “Forget Delilah, baby. In less than twenty-four hours, you are going to be Mrs. Judges, and I can't wait.”

“You still have time to back out, and I won't be mad at you,” Julia said. Her eyes didn't reflect the words that came out of her mouth.

“God has sent me a treasure in you. Julia Rivers, the day I marry you will be the happiest day of my life.” Samson took her hand in his and kissed the back of it.

“It's hard to tell when every time I turn around, Delilah is up in your face and you seem oblivious to what she wants. Then again, maybe you enjoy the attention.” Julia jerked her hand away.

“Julia, don't be like that.” Samson didn't attempt to reach for her hand. “Delilah has issues, but you don't have to worry about me and her.”

“I don't trust her.” Julia stood and folded her arms.

Samson walked up to her and looked her directly in the eyes. “Forget Delilah. The question is, Do you trust me?”

Julia tilted her head. “Should I?”

“Of course,” Samson responded.

“Yes, Samson, I trust you, okay?”

Without saying a word, Samson wrapped his arms around Julia. She was unable to see the look of relief on Samson's face.

Delilah dragged herself out of bed Saturday morning. As much as she pretended to be okay with Samson's upcoming nuptials, she wasn't. If only she had met him before he got engaged to Julia, both of their lives could be different.

Keisha would never understand her fascination with Samson. His TV ministry is what saved her life. She wanted what he talked about on the screen week after week. One day she retrieved her grandmother's Bible from her attic. After wiping off the dust, she started reading chapter after chapter. No matter how long it took, she was determined to read it from beginning to end.

Her mind marveled at how many times God forgave people in the Bible for doing stupid things. Her personal turning point came one Sunday morning when Samson preached about Rahab. Delilah turned her Bible to the scriptures and read Rahab's story. She forgot all about her original reason for attending Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church and walked down in front of the altar and joined the church that Sunday.

She'd never forget the day she decided to give her life to Christ, nor would she forget the man responsible for it. Samson was part of her destiny but, unfortunately, not entirely the way she wanted him to be.

Delilah peeked at the clock. The wedding would be in three hours. She needed at least an hour to get ready. She wouldn't be the one getting married, but she could guarantee she would look just as good as the bride, if not better. Over an hour later, Delilah stood in front of the full-length mirror and admired her knee-length, white satin dress trimmed in lace and pearls. Delilah loved her appearance. She placed the matching hat on and adjusted it so the ringlets from her hair wouldn't fall in her face.

She located the new pair of shoes she bought from DFW and put them on. The crystal five-inch heels made her legs look even slimmer. She grabbed her designer clutch and set out for Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church.

Delilah wanted to be early, but it appeared others had the same idea. She circled the parking lot several times to find an available parking place. She admired her face in the rearview mirror and reapplied her lipstick. Satisfied with her looks, she made her way to the church entranceway.

“Hello, Sister Delilah,” one of the ushers said as he handed her a wedding program.

“Good afternoon,” she responded.

She took the wedding program and followed the sound of the music coming from the main sanctuary. She stopped short of the doors to sign the guest book. With the program tucked under her arm, she went inside. The pews were embellished with an array of pink and white flowers. Delilah asked, “Which side should friends of the groom sit on?”

The male usher responded, “The right.”

“Thanks. I'll be sitting on the right.” Delilah smiled and walked around him.

She saw some of the women from Pastor's Aide sitting on the bride's side of the church. She waved and found a seat near the front. “Ma'am, we're going to have to ask you to move to this next pew. This pew is for immediate family only.”

Delilah pretended not to be embarrassed. “I have to go to the restroom anyway,” she said.

Instead of going in the direction of the restroom, Delilah headed toward the pastor's study. The usher directing her to change seats was all the nudge she needed to seek out Samson. She wanted to see if she could talk him out of marrying Julia.

“Oh, no you don't,” Calvin said as he jumped in front of her, causing them to collide.

“Last time I checked we were free to walk the halls.”

“Samson told me all about you. This is his day, and you, Ms. Delilah, will not spoil it. So turn around.” He used his hands and turned her around in the opposite direction of Samson's office.

“But I need to talk to him. It's important.”

“He doesn't have time to talk to you right now. Whatever problem you have, call the office.”

“Who made you his gatekeeper?”

“I did, when I took on the role of best man. And as his best man, I feel you're up to no good. He doesn't need this type of drama on his wedding day.”

“This is not right. I should be able to talk to my pastor.”

“You can, just not today,” Calvin responded.

No matter how much Delilah protested, Calvin had a response. By now, she was back near the door. He held it open for her. “See you after the wedding,” he smiled.

She re-entered the sanctuary and located a seat near the aisle. She retrieved her cell phone and sent a few text messages back and forth with Keisha as she waited for the ceremony to begin. She held out hope that Samson had changed his mind since it was thirty minutes past the time the wedding was supposed to start.

Samson seemed to glide into the sanctuary when he entered with Calvin and Reverend Regis Judges, Samson's dad. Delilah watched his every step. When her eyes met Samson's, Delilah saw her dream of them being together dissipate into thin air.

Guilt swept through Samson's being when he laid eyes on Delilah. Seeing her there reminded him of his broken vows to God. Her beauty had blinded him on many occasions. He refused to let his mind wander.

Calvin nudged him in the side. “Man, you all right? You look like you've seen a ghost.”

“Just nervous.” His mind should have been on Julia only, but here he was minutes away from saying I do, and he couldn't break eye contact with Delilah.

Delilah's smile glowed. She mouthed the words, “I love you.”

Calvin looked in Delilah's direction. “Man, just ignore her. She'll have to get through me to ruin this day.”

“I hope she behaves.” The increased sound of the music playing broke the trance.

“Samson, are you ready?” Samson's dad asked.

Julia originally wanted her father, Reverend Rivers, a noted minister in the community, to preside over the wedding, but he wanted to walk her down the aisle instead. Samson's dad was more than happy to take on the role of marrying his only child. Regis called out his name again.

“I'm just ready for this part to be over with.”

“It's about to start, so if you're having any second thoughts, now's the time,” Regis said.

“I love Julia, and I'm ready to make her my wife.” Samson confessed those words to his father, but his eyes were looking in Delilah's direction.

The organist played “How Great Thou Art,” and the ushers signaled for everyone to take their seats. The time was at hand.

“You do have the ring?” Samson asked Calvin.

Calvin patted his chest. “It's right here. I got you. No need to be nervous.”

Samson chuckled. The tension from his body eased as the wedding party entered the sanctuary. His heart skipped a beat as the traditional wedding march rang throughout the sanctuary. Everyone in the church stood up. Samson would remember for the rest of his life the moment Julia and her dad entered the sanctuary.

Julia glided down the aisle like an angel dressed in a strapless white satin dress adorned with pearls and diamond studs. Her long train followed behind her. Samson's smile widened the closer she got to him. He heard both his mother and Julia's mother sniffling.

“Who gives this woman to be married?” Regis asked.

Julia's father responded, “I do.” He placed Julia's hand in Samson's.

Samson and Julia turned and faced Regis. Regis stated the occasion and followed up with a prayer. One of the associate pastors of Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church stood at the podium and read the second chapter of Genesis verses eighteen through twenty-four. “…Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

Samson knew the passage from memory. After a scripture from the New Testament was read, all eyes were on the couple. Regis said, “The couple has written their own vows.”

Samson pulled out the slip of paper he had written his vows on. He glanced at it then looked into Julia's eyes. “I don't think I'll be needing this.” He placed the paper back in his pocket. “Julia, you're my best friend, my heart, the love of my life. I have been shown the favor of God by having you take my hand in holy matrimony. I promise to love you like God loves the church. I promise to honor you and treat you like the royalty that you are. My heart overflows with joy as I stand here before you, and our family and friends. I vow to love you, cherish you, be faithful to you, and support you. You have my heart, and I commit to you on this day that nothing will ever tear us apart.”

Julia wiped a few tears from her face and said her vows. “Samson, my love, God answered my prayers when He sent you my way. I promise to be the supportive wife to you and your ministry. With everything in my being, I promise to make our home a safe haven for us and any children we may bear. I promise to honor you and love you unconditionally. You're my heart, my best friend, and the love of my life. I commit to you in front of family and friends my loyalty and eternal love.”

Regis said, “If anyone feels this couple should not be united in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Someone cleared her throat. Samson and Julia turned around in the direction of the noise. Delilah looked away. Regis proceeded with the ceremony. Calvin handed Samson the rings. Regis recited some of the traditional vows as they exchanged rings. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Ladies and gentlemen, I present Mr. and Mrs. Samson and Julia Judges. You may now kiss the bride.”

The crowd cheered as Samson lifted Julia's veil and kissed her. Samson noticed the smiles on people's faces as he held Julia's hands and marched down the aisle. Everyone was smiling, except for Delilah.