They kissed and caressed each other’s bodies. He removed the sheer white lingerie from her body. Samson could tell Julia was ready for him. This was the moment they both had been waiting for, but his body wouldn’t respond. Of all the nights, nothing. His body had no problems reacting to Delilah’s presence. Was his body trying to tell him something he didn’t want to believe? Was Delilah right? Should he have chosen her and not Julia? All those questions and more ran through Samson’s mind as he tried to ease the situation by cuddling with Julia.
Although Julia’s back was toward him in the bed, he heard the soft sounds of her crying. Her whimpering tugged at his heart. He squeezed her tight until they both fell asleep.
Chapter 23
“I’m going to be celibate,” Delilah said over dinner the following week at Keisha’s place.
Keisha burst out laughing. “Please. I would love to see that day.”
“I’m serious. If I can’t have Samson, I would rather be celibate.” It had been a week since Samson’s wedding. Delilah imagined him and his new bride having the time of their lives on their Bahamian honeymoon. She happened to overhear Elaine and Michelle talking about where they were going last night after Bible Study.
“So what’s up with the guy you met at the reception?” Keisha asked.
“He’s been calling, but I don’t have time for games.”
“Girl, you’re going to have me choking. You’re a natural comedian tonight.”
Keisha poured them both some more soda.
“This lasagna is good,” Delilah said.
“Don’t be trying to butter me up. You know I’m going to tell you the truth whether you like it or not.”
“A best friend would be supportive.” Delilah played around with the food on her plate.
“Let’s see. We’re not having anything special going on at my church tomorrow, so I’ll go to church with you tomorrow so I can give you moral support on the couple’s first Sunday back as husband and wife.”
Delilah hadn’t thought about them returning tomorrow. Yes, she would need to be around at least one friendly person. “Good. Now make sure you wear something cute. You’ll be representing me.”
“Hold up, sister. You got it twisted. I always look good.”
Delilah disagreed. Keisha was her friend, but she seemed to dress more flashy than stylish. She would keep her comments to herself though. One wrong word from her could set Keisha off on a tangent, and from her experience, it could be days before they spoke again. She needed Keisha to be there for her.
Delilah went home and picked out an outfit for the next day. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow but tossed and turned the entire night with nightmare after nightmare. She remembered none of them the next morning as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.
“I feel like I just got hit by a freight train,” Delilah said as she popped a couple of ibuprofen into her mouth. She washed the pills down with water.
It took her longer than usual to get dressed due to the tension that filled her head. She called Keisha to let her know she was running late. An hour later, she and Keisha were sitting on a pew in the middle of the church where she could get a good view of everyone entering and leaving the sanctuary.
“Girl, I might have to move because I can’t see nothing with that big old birds’ nest on that woman’s head,” Keisha said. She shifted in her seat in an attempt to get a better view.
“That’s Ms. Dorothy. She’s the head of Pastor’s Aide. She hates my guts,” Delilah informed Keisha.
“Interesting.”
Delilah went on to identify several other people, mainly women, in the congregation who didn’t like her for whatever reason. “Girl, I don’t even see why you want to come to this church if nobody likes you,” Keisha said.
“Because I’m not here for the people. I’m here to get the Word, and Samson brings it like no other pastor I know.”
“That’s because you haven’t branched out and been to other churches.”
“I visit other churches all the time,” Delilah said.
“Only when Samson’s not preaching.”
Music began to fill the sanctuary. One of the ushers tapped Delilah on the shoulder. “Excuse me,” she said. “I’ll need for you ladies to hold it down. Church is about to start.”
Keisha mimicked the usher. Instead of getting upset, Delilah laughed. “So where’s the happy couple?” Keisha asked.
“That’s what I want to know.”
After one of the associate pastors said a prayer, everybody stood up as the choir marched in singing, “Shake…shake…shake. Shake the devil off. In the name of Jesus, shake the devil off.”
Delilah turned to face the front of the church as the choir made their way into the choir stand. Delilah tapped Keisha on the arm. “There they are.”
Julia, wearing a knee-length, peach-colored suit, walked in front of Samson. Both had smiles on their faces. Julia walked and stood near the front pew. Samson greeted the other ministers as he made his way into the pulpit. He lowered his hand to indicate everyone could be seated.
Delilah’s mind should have been on worshipping God; instead, her heart filled with envy the moment she saw how happy Julia appeared. The choir rocked the sanctuary. Everyone, including Keisha, seemed to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Delilah and a few children remained in their seats as the choir sang, “Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.”
Delilah felt like a captive and could not relate to the lyrics of the song at the time. Delilah’s headache subsided, but she wasn’t enjoying the service. Keisha, on the other hand, seemed to be having a good time.
“Girl, Peaceful Rest’s choir is off the hook. I need to see about getting y’all for our next musical,” Keisha said.
“Oh, okay.” Delilah halfway listened.
Forty minutes later, Samson made his way to the podium. “My lovely bride and I would like to thank each and every one of you for the gifts, cards and well wishes. We wanted to also thank Calvin and Michelle and everyone who worked with them to move Julia’s stuff to my house while we were gone. We just got back late last night and, yes, we did miss our church family.” Samson looked in Julia’s direction. “Honey, did you want to say anything?”
Delilah couldn’t hear Julia’s response over the noise from the congregation, but it must have been no since Julia remained seated. “I know some of you came to hear me preach, but I decided to let Associate Minister Michael Monroe bring today’s message since technically I’m still on my honeymoon.” A few laughs were heard throughout the congregation. Samson continued to say, “Well, after the choir gives us an A and B selection, the next voice you hear will be Minister Monroe.”
After the choir sang a couple of selections, Minister Monroe stood behind the podium and sang “Precious Lord” along with the congregation. A few minutes later, he began reciting a couple of verses from the sixth chapter of Matthew, taken from the New King James Version. “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven…. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”
“Amen,” several people around Delilah said.
“Today, I’ll be talking about charity.” He stopped talking and looked at one of the ushers. “Ushers, you can be seated.”
He faced the congregation. “Some of us are doing stuff for the wrong reasons. We want our sisters and brothers to pat us on the back for things we should be doing for our fellow man anyway.” He paced back and forth in front of the podium. “Some of us only do stuff for people who can do something for us.”
“Preach,” someone yelled.
“When was the last time you did something for someone and didn’t expect anything in return?” he asked.
Thirty minutes later, as the sermon ended, Keisha said, “Minister Monroe was g
ood, but I’ll have to come back so I can hear your pastor.”
“Yes, Minister Monroe is good, but he’s no Samson.”
They got out of their seats. Delilah started to head to the front of the church instead of going toward the front door. Keisha grabbed Delilah’s arm. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to stand in line to greet the happy couple like everybody else.”
“Ugh. Come on. Let’s go,” Keisha said. She kept her hold on Delilah’s arm.
Delilah attempted to pull away, but Keisha had a strong grip. “You win,” Delilah said.
She followed Keisha toward the door. Delilah turned around and caught Samson looking in her direction. She waved, but he didn’t wave back. Maybe there was no more hope after all.
Chapter 24
Samson sighed when Delilah left instead of standing in the receiving line like some of the other patrons. He pretended not to see her wave at him. He smiled at his wife who was going to make a good first lady. They attempted to thank everyone personally as they made their way through the line.
Calvin and Michelle walked up to the couple. “I guess we’ll be seeing a Samson Junior running around here in about nine months,” Calvin said.
Julia’s smile vanished. Michelle said, “Calvin, you need to shut up sometimes.”
Samson attempted to diffuse the situation. “Man, give us some time to ourselves. We have plenty of time for kids. Right, baby?” He placed his arm around Julia and pulled her to him.
“Right,” she responded. Her smile seemed forced.
Samson and Julia retreated to his office. He removed his robe. “That went well, don’t you think?” he asked as he hung up his robe.
“I guess.” Julia walked to the window. People could be seen talking and getting into their cars.
Samson walked up behind her. “Service was good. Michael’s doing an outstanding job. I won’t be surprised if someone doesn’t call him to pastor his own church soon.”
“Why didn’t you wave back at her?” Julia asked.
Samson pretended not to know the identity of “her.” “Baby, I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”
“You didn’t see Delilah when she waved at you?”
“No,” he lied.
Julia rolled her eyes and turned away. “I thought after we married, I wouldn’t have to worry about her. Man, was I wrong.”
“You’re the only one fixated on her. I told you there wasn’t and never will be anything going on between Delilah and me.”
Julia turned and faced Samson. “That’s what your mouth says, but your body says something totally different.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. “Come in,” Samson yelled.
“There goes my favorite couple,” Kelly said as she entered. She hugged the newlyweds.
“Ms. Kelly,” Julia stated.
“It’s Mom now,” Kelly corrected her. “Will I be seeing y’all for dinner?”
“Mom, I think we’ll pass on dinner today. Samson and I want more alone time.”
“Oh, I get it.” Kelly winked her right eye. “Julia, call me so we can catch up later this week.”
“I took a short leave of absence from my job, so we’ll talk later,” Julia responded. As soon as Kelly was out of the door, Julia said, “Samson, I’m supposed to be this happy, glowing bride, but look at me.”
“Baby, we can get through this. Tonight. Watch.”
Julia laughed. “I heard that for an entire week. I waited two years.” She held up two fingers. “Two years to marry the man of my dreams, and he couldn’t get it up. Do you know how that makes me feel?”
Samson started to reach for her but stopped when she wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m sorry. I prayed and…” his words trailed off.
“And what, Samson? You prayed to God that you would be able to perform for your wife? This is embarrassing.”
“Nobody has to know but us.”
Julia rolled her eyes. “Come on. Let’s go. I don’t want to talk to anyone else.”
Samson followed Julia out of his office. Julia plastered on a fake smile while they greeted a few people who were hanging around the church as they made it to their car. Her smile left her face as soon as they were seated behind the tinted windows of Samson’s SUV. Julia looked out the window the entire trip home. Samson, left with his own thoughts, felt bad. They had been married a week and one day, but due to his impotence, they had not consummated their marriage.
The silence between them remained after they got home. Samson spoke first and asked, “What do you want for dinner?”
“Whatever you want. I’m going to take a nap. Just wake me up when you get back from wherever you decide to go.”
Samson tried to be understanding about Julia’s frustrations, but she didn’t have to be so cold toward him. He changed into a pair of jeans and a button-down starched shirt. He thumbed through the flyers from different dining spots he had in his kitchen drawer. He decided to drive to the other side of town and get some barbeque from Uncle Buck’s.
“Isn’t that your pastor?” he heard someone say from behind him as he stood in line at Uncle Buck’s and placed his order.
“Hey, Pastor,” Delilah said.
Samson bit his bottom lip. He turned around and greeted Delilah and the woman with vibrant red hair.
Delilah said, “This is my best friend Keisha.”
“I’ve heard so much about you,” Keisha took the liberty of saying.
“All good I hope,” he responded.
Keisha looked at Delilah and smiled. “Where’s your bride?” Delilah asked.
Samson had no business talking to Delilah, but he answered, “At home taking a nap.” The line was getting longer behind them. “Ladies, I’ll let you place your orders. Looks like we’re holding up the line.”
Samson took a seat in the back corner as he waited on his food. He pulled out his cell phone and started playing a game. “I’m surprised she let you out of her sights,” Delilah said as she slipped in the chair at his table. Keisha sat at another table.
“We’re married, not in bondage.”
“Mmhmm. So how was the Bahamas? Or did you stay in the room the whole week and not get a chance to take in the sights?” Delilah’s perfume filled his nostrils to the point of being overpowering.
“My relationship is not up for discussion,” Samson said.
“Sort of testy. You would think that after a week of consummating your marriage, you wouldn’t be so tense.” Delilah seemed to be teasing him.
“Pastor Judges, your order is ready,” the cashier yelled over the noise.
Samson slid out from his chair. His leg grazed against Delilah’s thigh as he tried to get by her. “See you.”
He grabbed his food and sped home. Julia was still sleeping when he arrived. He woke her up and, although she still was a little reserved with him, they talked as they ate dinner. Afterward, they cuddled and watched a couple of movies.
Later that night, back in the bedroom, Samson disappointed Julia again. Frustrated, Julia turned her back to Samson. When he reached for her, she moved closer to the edge of her side of the bed. Samson couldn’t believe how things were turning out. He closed his eyes and thoughts of seeing Delilah earlier that day filled his head. He felt his body begin to respond to the thoughts. He screamed internally, Noooo. Was his body was trying to tell him something again?
Chapter 25
Delilah squeezed her pillow. The dreams of Samson soon turned to nightmares as she fought the evil witch of the south—Julia. In her dreams, Julia got to walk away with the grand prize. Delilah held a consolation prize: a box that made an annoying buzzing noise. The sound of the phone ringing jolted Delilah out of her sleep. “I’m coming,” Delilah yelled, as she reached over to answer the phone. “Hello,” she said, barely above a whisper.
“Rise and shine, sweetheart,” William said.
She stretched and sat up in bed. “What time is it?”
&n
bsp; “It’s time for phase two. Now get your butt out of bed and start earning the money I paid you.”
Delilah’s eyes adjusted to the daylight. She glanced at the clock. “William, it’s just seven in the morning. There’s nothing I can do this early.”
“I saw your boy on TV, so I know he’s back from his honeymoon. I’m giving you two weeks to get something on him that I can use.”
Delilah attempted to go back to sleep after hanging up with William, but sleep evaded her. She tossed the comforter to the side and started her morning ritual. She put her coffee on, showered, and then ate her breakfast while reading the Shreveport Times. Out of habit, she checked the obituaries. She never knew her father, but her mother had given her his name. She checked the paper every day to see if his name was listed.
A part of her blamed her deadbeat dad for the life she’d led. If he hadn’t abandoned her mother when she was born, they might not have been forced to live in the projects. Her mom worked for a wealthy white family and cleaned their house for lackluster pay. Her mom literally worked herself to death. The day the police stopped by the apartment with a social worker to tell Delilah the news is the day something inside her died. At that point, the ten-year-old girl felt like she had no reason to live. Placed in foster care, Delilah got moved from house to house due to her bad-girl ways.
No one heard the cries when some of her foster parents took advantage of her physically and abused her mentally. The last time she tried to seek help from an adult, her foster parent beat her into silence. When she turned sixteen, she ran away and lived on the streets. An elderly woman with bluish gray hair found her stealing food from her garage. Ms. Shadows took Delilah in, fed her, and clothed her. She was thrilled when Ms. Shadows worked it out with the state and became her foster parent. For a year, Delilah felt happy. Ms. Shadows didn’t have much, but the little she had she freely shared with Delilah. Ms. Shadows dressed her up and took her to church weekly, and rarely would she find the woman without her Bible.
She lost hope again the day she walked home from school and found Ms. Shadows permanently asleep in her rocking chair. The paramedics had to pry Delilah away from the woman’s body as she hugged her tight, refusing to let go. “Don’t leave me too, Ms. Shadows,” Delilah had said.
Delilah Page 9
