Julia held on to the flowers. “Works for me. Let me put everything away, and I’ll go change.”
“You look just fine to me.”
Julia moved the hair from out of her face with her free hand. “Please, I’ve had this on all day.”
An hour later, Julia and Samson were seated at the Olive Garden eating salad and pasta. “This has always been one of my favorite places for Italian food,” Julia said. Samson had to strain to hear her because a group of women sitting at a nearby table were talking loud. “I like your lasagna better,” Samson responded.
“Oh, you really are trying to butter me up, aren’t you?”
The voices of the group of women sitting next to them got louder. “Our first lady has no idea that her husband has been laying hands on me, and, girl, his hands are big too,” Samson heard the woman say.
All the women at the table laughed out loud. Samson sipped on his drink and hoped Julia wasn’t paying them any attention. Another one of the women said, “You know you’re wrong.”
“He’s the one married—not me,” the cheating woman said.
“Aren’t you afraid of what will happen to you if his wife finds out?”
Another person said, “She needs to be more concerned about how God is going to deal with her.”
The cheating woman said: “Me and God have an understanding. I stay out of His way, and He stays out of mine.”
“You’re going to burn in hell,” another woman at the table said.
“And you’ll be right there with me, Ms. Sleeping With the Chairman of the Deacon Board.”
Samson had heard enough. He had no idea what church the women went to, but to hear them go on and on about their adventures made him very uncomfortable.
“Good thing we don’t have to worry about that at our church,” Julia said, making it clear she had heard them as well.
Samson played it off. “Yes, our men might be a lot of things, but they are doing their best to honor their marital vows.”
“Let’s hope.”
Samson didn’t know if that was a personal jab at him or if his guilt made him feel as if it were. Either way, he was glad when the bill came so they could leave the gossiping women by themselves.
Chapter 41
Seething, Delilah slammed the phone down for the umpteenth time. “That cow won’t put my calls through.”
She had been trying to reach Samson all day, but Elaine kept saying he wasn’t available. Samson wouldn’t answer his cell phone either. Agitated, Delilah logged on to her computer to play a game of Bejeweled to help relax her mind.
Her instant message alerted her that Samson was online. “Got you now.”
She typed in a few lines and sent the message. There was no response. The computer beeped and the words “offline” appeared near Samson’s login name.
He was playing games with her—the ignore game. That was one game she didn’t like to play. She got ignored when she tried to tell someone about the predators in her foster homes. She got ignored when she had to showcase her body on the stage for perverts. Men only saw her physical beauty; none were interested in knowing the woman within. No, being ignored was no fun, and she wasn’t going to play it with Samson.
Satan seemed to know when to hit a person at her weakest moment. Delilah picked up her phone to call Samson again, but William was calling her at the same time. Instead of hearing Samson’s voice, she heard William’s on the other end of the phone. “You got something for me yet, darling.”
“Maybe.” Delilah gritted her teeth.
“It’s either yes or no.”
Delilah would give Samson one more chance. Samson loved his church and dear wife too much to allow their affair to be made public. If he didn’t react the way she felt he should, then she would have no recourse but to give William what he wanted—the ammunition to use against Samson. “He’s coming around,” Delilah responded.
“Buy more low-cut blouses, tighter dresses. Do whatever you have to do. I want that property.”
Delilah dropped the phone. She swore the phone grew hot as she listened to William go on and on about the land he wanted. She was glad when he finally decided to end the call.
“Samson must have forgotten about the video,” Delilah said as she typed a long e-mail to Samson reminding him.
The computer sounded. “You’ve got mail.”
Delilah laughed. “I knew that would get your attention.” Samson’s login name showed in the “sender” section of her e-mail.
She read his words out loud. “I thought you destroyed it.”
She opened up her instant message browser and typed, “My computer made a backup.”
The computer beeped to alert Delilah of an incoming instant message. Samson responded, “Delete it.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s the right thing to do.”
“Samson, Samson, Samson,” she said out loud and then typed. “Why have you been avoiding me?” Delilah hit the send button in the instant message box.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Too busy to talk to the woman responsible for putting fire back into your marriage?”
“Don’t say that.”
“Don’t deny it. I bet you think of me when you’re making love to her.”
“Are you going to destroy the video or what?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?” He put several question marks at the end of his statement.
Delilah had Samson agonizing. He had no idea what she was going to do next, and that’s exactly how she wanted it to be. “I need to see you this weekend,” she said, as she typed those exact words.
“I will see you at church.”
“That’s not what I want and you know it.”
“Fifteen minutes. I can stop by for fifteen minutes and then I have to get home to my wife.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Delilah put a smiley face at the end of her sentence.
Regardless of Samson’s motives for going over, Delilah had no intentions of giving him the only copy she had of their liaison. If he thought he could sweet talk her into handing over that piece of evidence, he would be making a wasted trip.
Delilah wrapped her pink satin robe around her and waited for Samson to stop by. While waiting, she placed a DVD in a case and set it on the table.
The doorbell rang alerting her to Samson’s arrival. She rushed to the door. “Come in,” she said as she moved to the side so he could enter.
“Where’s the disk?”
“I know your mama taught you better manners than that. At least give a sister a hug.”
Delilah moved in for a hug. Samson inched back. “We better keep our distance.”
“I know I’m hard to resist.” She tightened the belt of her robe and walked into the living room. She knew Samson wasn’t far behind her.
“Delilah, I don’t have time to play these games with you.”
Just the mention of the word game set off a bell in her head. She stopped and turned around. “Oh, I know you’re not talking about me playing games. I’ve been trying to reach you all day. Ain’t nobody that doggone busy.”
“You’re not the only member I have.”
“But still you could have called me back.” Delilah picked up the disk from the table and waved it in the air. “If I wouldn’t have mentioned this video, I would still be waiting to hear from you.”
Samson reached for the disk. Delilah placed it behind her back. “Not so fast. What happens after I give you the video?”
“Nothing.”
“Then give me one good reason why I should give it to you.”
Delilah sensed his frustration with her but wouldn’t give up her antics. “I need the reassurance that no one else will see it. Julia wouldn’t understand.”
She placed the video beneath her robe near her chest. “If you want it, come get it.”
“I’m not touching you.”
“I guess you don’t want it then.”
“This is
blackmail, and it’s not right.”
Delilah laughed. “You have options. Are you going to come and get it?”
Samson paused to walk away, but on second thought, turned around. “This is the last time.”
Chapter 42
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.
Chapter 43
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.
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