Precious’ eyes shone as she took the pictures from Doctor Sprout. “No, doctor, he doesn’t know yet. I will indeed surprise him tonight. Can I take these pictures home?”
“Of course, Mrs. Jackson,” Suzy Sprout said. “It’s too early to tell whether it is a boy or a girl. Maybe next time we can tell what it is.”
“I know what it is, Doctor,” Precious said while her eyes sparkled with happiness. “It’s a miracle, that’s what it is.” She glanced once more at the pictures of the ultra sound and then stuffed them in a yellow envelope. She felt like singing. This was a day to never forget. When she saw that little bead that was growing inside of her with a heartbeat, who would become a full-grown child with little fingers and toes, a nose and everything else, she was struck with a deep sense of awe. This was an experience she would not likely forget.
“Well,” Doctor Sprout said with a smile as she folded her hands, “there’s plenty of time for your husband and you to prepare for the new arrival. I would like to see you again in about 6 weeks.”
Precious just nodded.
“And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to see my next patient.” Doctor Suzy Sprout got up and stuck out her hand.
“Thank you, Doctor,” Precious said, as she shook the doctor’s hand and felt an unfamiliar lightness in her chest. “I will be seeing you in six weeks, then.” Precious hummed a familiar hymn as she stepped out of the office and smiled broadly at two older ladies who were glancing up from their magazines and were eying her suspiciously.
A child! God was blessing them with a child! And that after all the trials she had been through with Samson. God was so good.
She knew when the baby was conceived. It had happened on that one night, that memorable night when Samson had been so broken. Precious had come back that night from staying at Mary Culbert’s place. She had been there four days. After that sickening debate on TV, she had felt she needed to let Samson stew in his own juice for a while, but that night she thought it was time to pick up the pieces and she returned home. For the first time ever, she sensed Samson was truly sorry for his misdeeds with Armsteadt, Madeleine Stone, Candy and a whole string of other people. People he had been using and manipulating for his own glory or selfish purposes. Even though Precious knew all too well that the battle wasn’t over yet, that night was a promising start and God had apparently blessed them with His precious gift. This was a token of God’s undying care, His everlasting forgiveness and His mercy that surpassed all human understanding. The child was a promise of better things to come.
Precious walked home with joyful steps and inhaled the soft spring air. As she crossed the park she noticed how the flowers started to unfold their tender buds. She had not noticed it that morning. These buds were opening their glorious hearts for the entire world to see and, like Precious, were ready to shout out their praises.
Still Precious was well aware of the storms ahead. Samson had humbled himself to some extent, and that was very encouraging. But he had not yet made a full confession. His sins were many and both he and Precious knew all too well that if he would fully confess and open his heart without restraint, and just let the chips fall where they may, his career as a famous TV evangelist would suffer a serious blow. But the prophecy that was given by Jeremiah Black, about Samson being a special tool, would never be fulfilled until Samson was willing to fully trust God and esteem the praises of God more important than the praises of man. And that was so very difficult for her dreadlocked husband.
As she neared the house she wondered how Samson would react to the news of a baby. He had always said he did not yet want children.
“God’s work comes first,” was his favorite expression and even though Precious was of the understanding that raising a child was God’s work, Samson had never shown much desire to be a daddy. But now he had to face the facts. In fact, Candy was carrying his baby too, so it was obvious that God was about to change Samson’s life in more ways than one.
Almost home now… She quickened her steps and fished the house key out of her coat pocket. But as she rounded the corner and faced the house, her mouth dropped open and she froze.
A mere twenty meters away, on their doorstep, stood a slender, tanned woman with long, dark hair that fell straight down her shoulders. She was dressed in a gray raincoat that covered her dress and she was just ringing the doorbell.
She knew that woman.
She had seen her before, awhile back in church, and Precious shivered. It was the woman that Samson had pointed out that church service after the debate when he had been under the anointing of the Spirit.
Delilah!
What was she doing on their doorstep? Precious stepped up her pace but before she reached the door she saw how Samson opened the door. She couldn’t see his face because his dreadlocks covered it, but the woman smiled broadly when she saw Samson and stepped inside. Samson didn’t notice Precious at all and just before she reached the door he closed it with a bang.
What in the world was that strange, dark woman doing there in their house?
God, give me strength. Precious stuck the key in the door and for a moment her joyful feelings about the new baby were forgotten. She first needed to give her own house a good clean up and, God was her witness, she wasn’t about to give any more room to the devil. Not if she could help it at least. She would not even give that punk an inch.
Chapter 2
The Devil’s Own
THE DEVIL CAN cite Scripture for his purpose.
William Shakespeare
From: Abraxas
To: Gorkaibahr
Gorkaibahr, your predecessor, whose name has now been deleted from our records, has bungled this simple job. This is why we have called upon you since your track record in deceiving half-hearted servants of the One Whose Name We Dare Not Mention has been known for some time. Use your craft and dark talents to complete this mission without delay. It has been too long since a grin has adorned our scaly faces and the Master is weary of reports of failure and misery. Our hope rests on you.
Kindly in its evil desires
Abraxas
*
“Meet Delilah Daboya, Precious,” Samson said while he gave her a wide grin. Delilah was already sitting on the couch when Precious entered. She was sitting right on Precious’ favorite spot and cast a cheesy smile at her.
Precious narrowed her eyes as she studied the dark woman. Her eyes were heavily made up and she was wearing a red dress which was way too short to Precious’ liking. She had a gold chain around her neck with a pendant that bore a strange looking symbol. It sparkled in the sunlight that streamed in through the sliding door that gave entrance to their garden. Precious did not like it at all. Delilah lifted her head while she crossed her legs that were adorned with black net stockings and even darker lacquered, shiny boots, and opened her mouth.
“Pleased to meet you, Precious.” Her voice was deep and soft. Precious noticed the strong scent of her perfume and wrinkled her nose. “Samson has told me so much about you,” she giggled and added, “Only good things, of course.”
Before Precious could answer, Samson stepped in and said, “Delilah comes in for extra Bible study. She only just recently met the Lord and needs a lot of extra training.”
Delilah nodded. “Life as a Christian is so new to me. I need to learn all the ropes.”
Samson’s eyes lit up, “Nice huh, Precious?”
But Precious didn’t smile and looked Samson squarely in the eyes. “I thought we had a rule that men should not counsel women without a second person nearby?”
“True,” Samson answered. “That’s why I told Delilah to come here to the house.”
“When I was gone?” Precious shook her head. Then she turned back to Delilah and sat down next to her on the couch. “But since I am here now, I suppose I could help with the Bible study.”
Delilah did not seem pleased and a scowl appeared on her face.
“Before we can have a good bible study,” Precious sa
id, “it’s important to know about your experience with God. Tell me, Delilah. When did you meet the Lord?”
“Huh, what do you mean, meet the Lord?” Delilah pursed her lip. “He’s not the manager in the local supermarket.”
Precious wrinkled her brow. “No, Delilah. Of course not, but who then is Jesus to you?”
A smile appeared on her face although her eyes did not play the part. She shuffled her feet and thought for a moment. “Well, he’s a great teacher. He’s my example and I follow him in every way.”
“Hmmm,” Precious mumbled. “So you talk to God, then?”
Delilah’s eyes lit up. “O yes, all the time. In church and at home before my food; it has changed my life.”
Precious shook her head, and wanted to say something, but Samson stepped in. “Come on, Precious. What’s this?” He pulled on his dreadlocks and looked very serious. “It almost looks like you are cross-examining Delilah. But she’s been through a lot with her husband. Leave her to me and I will help her along as a shepherd would his wounded sheep.”
Delilah looked up and cast Samson a warm smile. “Thank you, Samson. It’s just as you said. I am ready, so teach me the ways of the Lord.”
Precious muttered and shook her head. It was clear that the battle with Samson’s weaknesses wasn’t quite over yet and she silently lifted her heart up to God in a prayer. Please, help us, dear Lord.
“Samson, can we go to your study,” Delilah suggested. “It’s a bit distracting here. The atmosphere in the room is a bit…eh…well, I really need to concentrate in order to learn.”
“I bet you would,” Precious snapped. She surprised herself by being so sharp, but she actually didn’t care. “But, no Delilah, you can have your Bible study right here in our living room.”
Delilah looked at her with a stony expression and got up. “It appears I am not very welcome here,” she said in icy tones. “I’ll leave. Can you get me my coat, Samson?” Samson stared at Precious for a second and then shuffled to the hallway to get Delilah’s coat.
“Thank you, Samson,” she said as she took her coat from him. “I will call you sometime this week.”
“I-I am so sorry,” stammered Samson while he cast an angry stare at Precious. “I will let you out.”
“There’s no need, Reverend,” Delilah said. “Just keep your wife in check. I will find my own way out.” Then she turned and walked out the room. Seconds later the door opened and slammed shut again and Precious and Samson were left alone.
Samson sighed and faced Precious.
“What was that all about? You are always so hospitable.”
Precious curved her lips and looked at Samson. “Can’t you see through this woman, Samson? I thought we had started a new chapter in our life?”
“We have,” Samson argued back. “I don’t want to return to my old ways. I just want to help her.”
“That woman doesn’t want your help, Samson.” Precious shrugged her shoulders. “She’s bad news. She’s a distraction and a temptation. You can’t handle her.”
“What do you mean?” Samson snorted and his eyes darkened.
“Remember little Bobby?” Precious asked, “the son of Lucy Brown?”
“Sure. What’s that kid got to do with it?”
“Well,” Precious said, “last summer Mrs. Brown told Bobby not to go swimming in Lake Crystal because there was so much pollution. Bobby said he wouldn’t. But then, when he left the house he was wearing his swimming trunks. His mother asked him why he was wearing them since she had forbidden him to swim. You know what he answered?”
Samson fumbled with his dreadlocks. “No, what did he say?”
He said, “I am not going swimming, Mom. I am just wearing these in case I get tempted.”
Samson creased his eyebrows. “So?”
“Well, Samson, that means that the boy wasn’t really planning on fighting temptation. As long as he wasn’t facing tempting distractions he was willing to obey, but he also knew that when temptation would hit, his swimming trunks would come in mighty handy.” Precious walked over to Samson and took his hand. “It’s the same with you, Samson. You can’t handle women like Madaleine Stone and Delilah. You have to build in safeguards, otherwise you are going to fall right back. I am one of those safeguards.”
Samson thought for a moment. “You really think so, Precious?”
Precious smiled. “Without the Lord’s wisdom, we are all pretty dumb, Samson. That includes me. But I would be very careful around this Delilah. I don’t trust her at all.”
Samson sighed. As he looked up, he noticed a twinkle in Precious’ eyes. “What?” he asked. “Are you laughing at me?”
Precious shook her head. “Not at all, Samson, but I’ve got some news for you.”
“You have news for me?”
Precious cleared her throat and then said in a low voice, “I am pregnant, Samson. We’re going to have a baby.”
“A b-baby?” Samson blinked his eyes. “W-Where does that come from?”
“From you,” Precious said with a big smile. “Doctor Suzy Sprout tells me it’s only about six weeks old, but it is a baby. Small beginnings, great endings.”
It took Samson some effort to process the information and he plucked on his dreadlocks again. “W-wonderful,” he finally said, “and…eh, you are sure it’s mine?”
“What did you say?” A wave of anger shot through Precious’ body. “Of course it’s yours. How dare you even say such a thing?”
“I-eh…I didn’t mean it like that,” Samson stumbled over his words. “I mean…God could have done a miracle.”
“No Samson,” Precious said while the joy over sharing the news had left her heart like air out of a bicycle tire. “God didn’t have to do a miracle. He just used you.”
Chapter 3
Victory Belongs To
VICTORY BELONGS TO the most persevering.
And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
Judges 16:5
Delilah pressed her eyes together into small slits after she slammed the front door of the Jackson residence and stepped onto the street. The sky was overcast and a soft rain descended upon the angry woman as she stomped her feet on the pavement and mumbled curses to herself. Stupid Bible bashers. But I’ll get them. Some people took notice and looked up in surprise. But Delilah was lost in her own, wicked world and marched on as she gritted her teeth.
That horrible mud duck Precious was causing problems. That woman saw through her and she needed to find a way around her. Delilah thought back to the visit she’d had a month earlier with Pastor Bob Armsteadt and a few other fellows whose names she did not know. Armsteadt had not wanted to tell her his name, but she knew who he was. She had seen him in some sort of debate on television and she would recognize him anywhere. Stupid church people they were. If there was one thing Delilah despised even more than weak tea with milk, it was church people. But their money was good. 11,000 Dollars up front and, if she succeeded, another 33,000. For that kind of money, Delilah was willing to overlook her disdain for these stuffy buffoons, at least long enough to get the job done. And the job description was simple. Stumble Reverend Samson. Ruin him. Find proof against him of illegal dealings, sleep with him, do whatever it takes, but get rid of the man.
And that was a job that Delilah liked doing. To ruin a man, especially a man of the cloth was something she could be trusted with. And after having seen Samson, she was convinced it would be easy money too. That man was so confused and had such an elevated sense of his own importance that it wouldn’t take much to seduce him and make him eat out of the palm of her hand. Sleeping with him would be enough already to ruin his ministry, but Armsteadt wanted more. “There’s much more to the man,” he had said, “and you need to find out what it is.”
Armsteadt, miserly pastor as he was, had not been too happy to dash out the dough. Before he handed her the money he had asked her with trembling voice if she was certain she could deliver.
What a plonker. Delilah had felt the need to spit. “Come on, man…No money, no job.” At last, Armsteadt had handed her an envelope and they were in business.
And her strategy would be…?
She would pretend she was a hungry, lost soul in need of Reverend Samson’s fatherly counsel and before long he would fall for her. It would be as simple as that. But his wife was an obstacle. She wasn’t as dumb as she looked and there was too much money at stake to make a mistake. She would have to trap the Reverend away from Precious, and that too shouldn’t be too difficult.
After she had thought it over and her anger had left, she felt considerably better and started to hum a song.
Evil prevails when we hinder the good men,
Then humanity suffers from moral decay.
The best in the world of all evil
Is when good men have the devil to pay.
And Samson wasn’t even a good man. He deserved every bit of what was coming to him. Others may have failed, but failure was not a word that could be found in her personal dictionary, and most certainly not if she had another 33,000 dollars coming.
*
Mary Culbert was delighted when Precious told her about the new baby. “That’s wonderful Precious,” she said. “When is the baby due?”
“In another seven months.” Precious’ face was beaming and she added with a throaty laugh, “I am going to have to study up on baby care. I have a lot to learn.”
Mary nodded. “It’s such a joy, Precious. Children are a true gift from God. But tell me, how did Samson react?”
A flush crept over Precious’ cheeks. “I guess it will take a little time for him to get used to the idea. He was not overjoyed and even a bit shocked when I told him.” Precious sighed. “He is still so bound. The hold that pride and his addictions have on him is not easily broken.”
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