Delilah (9 page)

Delilah's heart broke into several pieces as she watched Samson and Julia exchange their vows. They looked so happy when they walked past her down the aisle. She waited for the crowd to dissipate before leaving the church.

She called Keisha while on the way to the reception. “Why are you putting yourself through the torture?” Keisha asked.

“It wouldn't look right if I wasn't there,” Delilah responded.

“From what you tell me, nobody would care if you were there or not, so just go home or come by here. I'll order us some pizza, and we can have a girls' night out.”

Delilah wanted to see this through. If she could come to grips with Samson and Julia's relationship, maybe—just maybe—her heart would let go of the love she felt for Samson. “I'm almost there, so thanks, but no thanks.”

She ended her call with Keisha and searched for a parking place. The hotel where the reception was being held had valet parking, and she opted to use it when she couldn't locate a close parking place.

The wedding party hadn't arrived, so Delilah took the opportunity to take a bathroom break. She ran into Ms. Dorothy coming out of one of the stalls. “You're looking pretty today, Ms. Dorothy.”

Dorothy looked Delilah up and down. “Thanks.” She washed her hands and left the bathroom without saying another word to Delilah.

“I hope someone tells her there's tissue stuck to the bottom of her shoe.” Delilah chuckled.

Delilah relieved her bladder. She heard familiar voices so decided to remain in her stall until after they left.

“Can you believe that heifer? She had the nerve to sit on the groom's side,” one of the women said.

“Julia better watch out because Delilah's nothing but a Jezebel, and I wouldn't trust her around my husband,” another said.

“I told Calvin that if I ever caught him talking to her, he would have some explaining to do.” Delilah recognized Michelle's voice.

Calvin thought he was all that and then some, so as far as Delilah was concerned, Michelle didn't have to worry about her or any other sensible woman wanting her man.

“You have to admit, though, the heifer knows how to dress,” the other woman said.
She got one more time to call me a heifer,
Delilah thought to herself.

“Not better than me, but she does all right,” Michelle said.

Delilah waited until they exited the bathroom before leaving the stall. She washed her hands and got in line to greet the wedding party during the reception procession.

“Congratulations,” Delilah said as she shook Julia's hand.

“Thank you,” Julia was forced to say. They both knew she wasn't sincere.

Julia ignored the next person in line as she watched Delilah shake Samson's hand. She rolled her eyes at Delilah. Delilah left the line but felt like she was being watched. Delilah filled her plate with appetizers and found an empty seat as close to the wedding party's tables as she could.

She attempted to ignore the conversations going on around her. “Is this seat taken?” an Idris Elba look-alike asked.

“No,” Delilah responded, barely looking at him as he took a seat next to her.

After dinner was served, Delilah watched the happy couple get on the dance floor for the first dance. Luther Vandross' “Here and Now” rang in her ear. Other couples began filling up the dance floor.

“Would you like to dance?” the guy next to Delilah asked.

She thought about declining, but after hearing Samson and Julia laugh on the floor, she changed her mind. “Sure.”

The song was replaced with another slow tune. This gave Delilah time to size up the man who had been sitting beside her. He wasn't bad-looking at all. She noticed how some of the women reacted when they passed by their tables to reach the dance floor. Delilah pulled him closer when she caught Samson looking in her direction. They danced a couple of songs then exited the dance floor.

“So what's your name?” she asked after returning to their table.

“Luther,” the gentleman replied.

“I'm Delilah.”

“I know,” he responded.

“Who told you that?” Delilah was curious.

“My brother-in-law was more than happy to after I inquired about the prettiest woman in the room.”

Delilah blushed, but curious about his brother-in-law's identity, she asked, “Who is your brother-in-law?”

“He's your church's attorney.”

It didn't immediately register with her. “Oh, Calvin. I didn't know. In fact, you two look more like brothers than brother-in-laws. “

“But I'm the better looking one.”

They laughed then Delilah said, “I don't know. Calvin is handsome.”

“And married. Me, I'm single and available.”

“Oh, really now?” Delilah leaned closer to him.

“Very much so. I understand you are too.”

Delilah pulled back. “I'm single, but my heart belongs to another man.”

“One way to get over one man is to start dating another one.”

“That's what people say.”

“Let's make it happen.” Luther pulled out his Blackberry. “How can I reach you after tonight.”

“I like a confident man, and because of that I will give you my number.” She recited her number to him.

“Do you want mine?”

“I'll get it when you call me.”

“I'll be sure to do just that.”

Delilah peeped Calvin's game. He thought sending his brother-in-law over would distract her from the glowing couple. She enjoyed the diversion, but Samson was still on her radar, and no matter how good-looking Luther was, he could never replace Samson in her heart.

Samson couldn't recall ever feeling this happy about any other woman. Only two other days of his life rivaled this one—the day he confessed Christ at the age of eight and the day his father ordained him as a minister.

“Mrs. Judges, I think we should be making our exit soon, don't you think?” Samson said to Julia.

Julia read between the lines. She tapped Michelle on the shoulder. “Michelle, it's time to throw the bouquet.”

Michelle went to the deejay table and grabbed the microphone. “All the single ladies come to the front.”

The crowd dissipated only to be replaced with women, young and old. “Come on, Ms. Dorothy,” someone yelled out. “You're single. Get on up there.”

“Child, I'm too old for a man,” Dorothy replied.

Delilah said, “She got that right.”

Samson watched Delilah as she made her way into the middle of the crowd of women. To everyone's surprise, the bouquet landed right at Delilah's feet. She picked it up and held it in the air to showcase her victory. The disappointed single women left the dance floor. Delilah walked toward Julia, who bore a frown on her face.

“Smile or you'll mess up your pretty wedding album,” Delilah advised as she stood next to her holding the bouquet. She leaned close to Julia as if they were best buddies.

Samson moved out of the way as the photographer snapped their pictures. He heard Delilah say to Michelle, who was standing nearby, “Your brother's kind of cute. I think I might take him up on his offer and go out with him on a date.”

She didn't waste any time moving on,
Samson thought to himself, feeling a tinge of jealousy as he stood on the sidelines, still within earshot.

When Delilah walked away Michelle said, “She'll find out soon enough, Luther's nothing but a player. Ms. Delilah has met her match.”

Julia stared at Samson. He knew she was trying to see how he would respond to Michelle's comment, but he didn't. Instead, he took Julia's hands in his. “Can I have this last dance?”

Samson pulled Julia close to him as they danced. There were other people on the dance floor, but Samson's heart and mind were on his wife only. Julia laid her head on his chest, and they rocked back and forth. The song ended, but they were still dancing.

“Baby, it's time we made our escape,” Samson said.

“Give me a few, and I'll meet you out front,” Julia said.

Samson said good-byes to the groomsmen and his parents.

“Don't worry about things here. Enjoy your new bride,” Calvin told Samson.

“Oh, I definitely plan on doing that. It's been a long time coming.” Samson said thank you and good-bye to guests as he left out of the reception area.

“Hold up. You're telling everybody good-bye but me.” Delilah rushed up to him.

Samson looked around to see if he could locate Julia. He and Delilah were the only ones in the hallway. “Goodbye, Delilah.”

“Aww, come on now. You can do better than that. Can a sister get a hug like the other women?”

“I don't think so.”

Delilah pouted. “All I'm asking for is a hug.”

Samson ignored his reservations and hugged her. Delilah held on tight. “Think of me when you're making love to your wife tonight.”

Samson pushed her away and Delilah giggled. “Good-bye, Samson.”

He was glad no one saw the exchange. His body wasn't supposed to react the way it had, not toward Delilah anyway. Disappointed in himself, Samson said a silent prayer. He was still trying to gather his senses when Julia approached him.

“Let me get that.” Samson reached down and took the small suitcase Julia was now carrying.

A long, white stretch limousine with the words “Just Married” on the windows filled several parking spots in front of the hotel. The driver held their door open as they headed in the direction of the limousine. Samson helped Julia in, and they waved at people standing outside of their limousine as it pulled away.

“You just don't know how long I've been wanting to do this,” Julia said.

“What?” Samson asked.

Julia removed her shoes. “They've been hurting me all day.”

Samson laughed. “I don't know why women like to torture themselves.”

“We do it all for you men,” Julia said as she leaned closer and they shared a kiss.

Samson picked up a bottle of champagne on the bar and poured them each a glass. “To Mrs. Judges.” Samson held up his flute.

“I like how that sounds.” They tapped their glasses together.

“Where are you taking me?” Julia asked.

“It's a surprise.”

“I might not have the right outfits packed.”

“Your mother has packed for you.” Samson couldn't stop smiling. He couldn't wait to surprise his bride. She had always wanted to go to the Bahamas, and thanks to the good deal he got with his travel agent, he was about to make it happen for her.

She kissed him. “As your wife, I demand you tell me.”

“We're going to Dallas. I thought we would take a limousine drive there instead of flying since it's so close, and from there you'll just have to wait and see.”

“Great. I can do some shopping.”

“We'll only be there for one day, dear.”

“I don't need but a few hours.”

Julia didn't drink or smoke, but she had one vice, and that was shopping. Samson had dated Julia so long this didn't come as a surprise. They kissed and cuddled during the three-hour drive to Dallas.

Samson checked them into their honeymoon suite at the Adam's Mark hotel in downtown Dallas. Julia screamed with joy when he picked her up and carried her over the threshold. “Oh, this is beautiful,” Julia said, admiring the suite.

“You can put the bags over there,” Samson said to the bellhop. After putting Julia down, he retrieved a ten dollar bill out of his wallet and handed it to him. Samson made sure the door was secure after the bellhop left.

Samson smiled at the excitement Julia displayed as she marveled at how beautiful their hotel suite was. “Let's continue to explore.” Samson hoped the hotel had done what he had asked. When he opened the bedroom door, rose petals met them at the doorway and led directly to the huge king-sized bed. Chocolate-covered strawberries and a chilled bottle of champagne sat next to the bed. “Where's my bag? I want to freshen up,” Julia said.

Samson fetched one of her bags and asked, “Is this it?”

Julia opened the bag and looked inside. “Yes this is it. I won't take long.” Julia left to go to the bathroom to freshen up.

Samson removed his tuxedo and went to the other bathroom in their hotel suite. Shortly thereafter, he lay across the bed anticipating Julia's return. “I'm waiting,” he shouted.

“Close your eyes,” she replied a few seconds later.

Samson closed his eyes. He could sense Julia's presence. Samson inhaled her fragrance. He felt her touch him, and his eyes immediately opened. “Oooh. There are no words to describe how good you're looking, baby,” Samson complimented.

“Good. Because talking is the last thing I want to do.”

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.

“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 good, 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.