Delilah (5 page)

“Samson, you haven't heard a word I said,” Julia said. She might as well have been talking to herself because Samson's mind was on Delilah and the countless number of text messages she had sent him since Monday morning.

He had avoided her all week, but he was sure his luck would be changing soon since it was now Wednesday night and Delilah rarely missed Wednesday night Bible Study. He looked at his beautiful bride-to-be. His insides fluttered as he thought about how much he loved her. He recalled the first time he realized he was in love with Julia.

They had known each other since childhood because both of their fathers were prominent men of the cloth; however, it wasn't until after they both graduated from college and they ran into each other at a church conference that his feelings changed from admiration to love. That was more than two years ago. Julia was soon to be his queen, and he couldn't let anyone stand in the way of making it happen. Delilah had to be dealt with, but there was no one he could trust, or was there?

“I don't know where your head is tonight, but I hope you get it together before you go in there trying to teach your congregation,” Julia said.

“Michael's teaching tonight.”

“Good, because you are not yourself.”

Samson took Julia's hand in his. “Come on, let's go before we're late.”

“Aww, how sweet,” Delilah said when she ran into them in the hallway.

“Just keep moving,” Samson told Julia.

“Is something going on I should know about?” Julia looked back and forth between Samson and Delilah.

Samson was caught off guard with her question. “No,” he lied.

“That's all I needed to know.”

Samson sighed as they walked into the sanctuary and took their seats on the front pew.

He could feel someone watching him, and when he turned around, Delilah's smiling face was staring back at him. He jerked his body back around and did his best to concentrate on Michael's discussion on the eighteenth chapter of Matthew.

“Pastor Judges, would you like to add anything to what I said about leading others to sin,” Michael said, staring at him from the podium.

“Uh, no. Minister Monroe, you've done an excellent job explaining.” Samson wiped his sweaty hands on his pants leg. He heard Delilah snicker. He glanced at Julia from the corner of his eyes. His attempt to reach for her hand resulted in her crossing her arms. The rest of the time, Samson blocked out everything else and looked directly at Michael.

“I didn't mean to put you on the spot earlier,” Michael said later in the pastor's study.

“Man, I'm just nervous about Saturday.”

“I'm surprised you're here tonight. I was a nervous wreck when I was about to get married.”

“Julia and I are going to be gone all next week, so we wanted to be here.”

“Well, if there's anything you want me to do, let me know.”

“My mom and Julia have it all covered. All I need to do is show up.”

Michael looked over Samson's shoulder. “Looks like you got company,” Michael said as Delilah walked into his office.

“I hope I'm not interrupting anything. Pastor, I wanted to ask you something.” Delilah batted her eyes.

“Pastor, I'll catch you later,” Michael said.

“No, don't go. There's something else I wanted to discuss with you,” Samson said.

Michael didn't read in between the lines that Samson didn't want to be left alone with Delilah. “Call me on my cell when you finish.” He smiled in Delilah's direction. “Delilah, nice seeing you.”

Delilah licked her lips. “Same here. Tell that wife of yours she's a lucky woman.”

“I'll be sure to tell her that.”

Once Michael was gone, Delilah closed the door.

“What are you doing?” Samson rushed to the door to open it.

Delilah jumped in front of it. They were now face-to-face. He could smell the cherry blossom lip gloss on her lips. “Your fiancée is in the restroom. Why haven't you returned my calls?”

“I'm beginning to sound like a broken record—because I'm busy. I am getting married in a few days.”

“I know. That's all anybody is talking about.”

Samson moved and left Delilah standing with her back to the door. “I hate to rush you, but I need to go.”

“Okay, but I wanted to drop off something with you.” Delilah reached into her purse and pulled out a disk. She handed it to him but wouldn't let go of the case. “If I were you, I would watch this in private.”

Samson needed Delilah gone before Julia came to his office, but he was curious to know what was on the disk. He looked at both sides of the disk, but there was no writing. Before he could ask Delilah any questions, the doorknob turned and Julia walked in. “What's going on here?” she asked.

Samson thought to himself that a closed door meant nothing because it seemed as if people still just burst into his office without knocking. He snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Delilah's voice.

Delilah smiled. “Nothing. I just dropped off something to the pastor. You two make such a cute couple.”

Julia responded, “Well, now that you've dropped it off, you can be going.”

Delilah turned to face Samson. “Remember what I said.” She winked at him, turned, and twisted out of the room.

“I know it's wrong, but I can't stand that woman,” Julia said.

Samson threw the disk Delilah had given him in his briefcase. “Come on, I'll walk you out.”

Samson and Julia were in separate vehicles, so instead of leaving one at the church, they each decided to drive. He followed Julia home to spend a little time with her before heading home.

It wasn't until later that night, while lying in his bed, that he remembered the disk Delilah had given him earlier. He retrieved it from his briefcase and placed it in the DVD player. For some reason the disk didn't immediately start playing like it normally would, so he played around with the remote. The screen remained fuzzy, but when he turned the sound up, he realized that what he was watching was no ordinary video. Within seconds, the visuals became clear and he saw his naked bottom staring at him on the screen.

There was no misunderstanding what was going on. The video showed him and Delilah in the heat of passion. He watched the video, wishing he could turn back the hands of time. He had been celibate for years, and Delilah had him breaking vows to his fiancée and, more importantly, to God. He could try to lie his way out of it, but the proof of his sin was not only a vision in his head, it was recorded for anyone to see.

Delilah slept with the phone by her ear. She expected Samson to call her as soon as he saw the video. Morning crept up on her. She glanced at her phone and didn't have one missed call. “I wonder if he even watched it.”

Delilah knew her obsession with Samson was on the borderline of being considered psychotic, but she loved him and wanted him like she had never wanted any other man before in her life.

She dialed Samson's phone number. Her phone beeped. Trusts Enterprise's number flashed on the caller ID screen. She disconnected the call with Samson and clicked over. “Delilah speaking,” she answered.

“Any news?” William asked.

“I'm working on it,” she responded.

“Don't disappoint me,” he said before hanging up.

“I can't believe I made a deal with the devil.” Delilah slammed down the phone.

After the conversation with William, Delilah took a long shower. Her phone rang while she dressed. A smile crept across her face when she saw Samson's number displayed on the caller ID. “I knew you would call,” she answered.

“I'm coming over now,” was all Samson said.

“I'll be waiting.”

Delilah changed her clothes several times. She wanted to look sexy for Samson, but then again, she wanted to play hard-to-get. The problem with Samson was, in her opinion, that she had been too accessible to him. She would be less forward from this point on.

She reached for the room fragrance and sprayed it in the air. The fruity aroma spread throughout the house. She did a clean sweep of her living room to make sure everything was presentable.

Before Samson could ring the door bell, Delilah greeted him at the door. “Come in.”

Samson didn't say a word. He walked directly to the living room and sat down. Delilah left him there and returned with a twelve ounce can of his favorite soda.

“You can keep that,” he said.

“Suit yourself.” Delilah popped the cap off a can of Sprite and took a sip before sitting down next to him.

Samson moved farther away from her. She didn't move again. He reached into his jacket pocket and waved the disk she had given him in her face. “You had no right taping us.”

The forceful tone of his voice concerned Delilah. She had never seen Samson this angry.

“I can't see you every night, so I needed some reminder of our time together.”

“Where's the hidden camera?” Samson stood up and started picking up the figurines around the room. “Is it in here? Is it under here?”

“There's no camera, Samson.”

“I forgot, the video shows us in your bedroom.” Samson placed the figurine back on the table and looked directly in Delilah's eyes. “Lately, people have said some bad things about you, and I've taken up for you. But now…”

Delilah stood up and walked in front of him. “Now what? Can I help it that I fell in love with you? How do you think I feel knowing that I'll never be good enough for you? That you only want to use me?” Tears formed at the corners of her eyes.

Samson turned away from her. “It's not like that. I can't have this video get out. This could affect my ministry.” He turned around and looked Delilah in the face. “Do you really love me?”

Delilah whimpered. “Yes, I love you more than I've loved any other man.”

“Then destroy the video and promise me no one else will see it.”

“I can't make that type of promise,” she responded.

Samson reached for her hand and held it. “Please. I'm begging you. Get rid of it. I'll do anything.”

Delilah had Samson exactly where she wanted him. Julia was history. She imagined replacing Julia in Saturday's wedding. Where would she get her dress on such a short notice? Delilah squeezed his hand. “You can call off your wedding and tell Julia you and I are getting married instead.”

“Delilah, you know I can't do that.” Samson released Delilah's hand.

“Well, you did say anything,” she pouted.

“Anything but that. You know I love Julia.”

Delilah thought about William and Trusts Enterprise. She could now fulfill her obligation to William, and get him off her back and collect the rest of the money he promised her. “You can sell the property to Trusts Enterprise. That would make me happy.”

Samson released Delilah's hand. “Why are you concerned with Trusts Enterprise?”

“I work for them. My boss told me they were interested in the church property. I need the commission, so if I make the sale, I get the bonus.”

“Sorry to disappoint you again, Delilah, but I refuse to sell out. Selling the property to Trusts Enterprise is not an option.”

“Please. Do it for me.” Delilah batted her eyes a few times.

“Never in a million years.”

Delilah picked up the disk from the sofa. “Then what am I to do with this?” She waved the disk in the air.

Samson took the disk and broke it in two. “That's destroyed. Now promise me you'll destroy the video so I won't have to worry about this showing up again.”

Delilah moved closer to him. “Promise me you'll always be a part of my life.”

Samson cleared his throat. “I can promise you that I'll be there as your pastor, but nothing more.”

“That's not what I was talking about and you know it.”

“You'll find someone else who is available and will make you forget all about me. Watch.” Samson pulled her into his arms.

One minute Delilah was angry with Samson, but with this kind gesture, it melted the anger away. “No one could ever replace you,” she whispered. She rested her head on his chest.

“So do we have a deal? Will you destroy the video?”

“Yes,” Delilah said. She crossed her fingers to cancel out the lie. She had no intentions of getting rid of the video. Not yet, anyway.

Samson hoped he could trust Delilah. He destroyed the disk, but he wondered if she had the recording saved on her camera. If word ever got out about his affair with her, Julia would cancel the wedding, and his parents would be disappointed. He had to do whatever he needed to keep the thing between them private. He loved Julia, and he was still going through with the wedding.

The attraction he had for Delilah was a distraction, but he couldn't allow it to overshadow his good judgment. Allowing himself a few minutes of pleasure shouldn't hurt anything. He worked hard in the ministry, and sometimes the stress from being everyone's confidant became a little too much for him to bear. Even with all the prayer and meditation, he needed an outlet.

Samson knew Delilah wanted him the moment he met her. He encouraged her to open up to him, and when the opportunity presented itself, their counseling sessions overlapped into something more. He could be an imperfect Samson around Delilah. She didn't expect anything from him—that was one of the things that attracted him to her.

He never expected their secret relationship to get out of hand. For him, it was only an affair, but Delilah allowed her feelings to cross the line. Now he had to figure out a way to pacify her enough so she wouldn't destroy the relationships he had built up around him.

Samson attempted to justify his actions as he quoted, out loud, a scripture from the third chapter of Romans. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

 

Samson's phone ringing brought him back to the present. “Son, I need to see you,” Regis said from the other end of Samson's cell phone.

“I'm driving now, so where do you want me to meet you?” Samson asked.

“Your mother's gone, so just swing by the house.”

Samson ended the call with his father. His dad normally asked him how he was doing, but today he didn't waste any time. He wondered if there was something wrong with his health. Samson turned his vehicle around and headed to his parents' house.

Fifteen minutes later, Samson used his house key and entered his parents' home. He called out for his dad but got no answer. He located his dad in the den, sitting in a brown leather recliner and engulfed in a movie.

Regis's body jumped a little when Samson appeared next to him. “Son, you startled me.”

“I called out your name.” Samson took a seat in one of the other brown recliners in the room.

“You know when I'm watching something I tend to tune things out around me. Years from being with your mother.” Regis laughed and so did Samson.

“I can come back another time.”

“Nonsense. I called you over, remember?” Regis located the television remote and muted it.

Samson decided to get straight to the point. “Is everything okay with you? With Mom?”

“Couldn't be better,” Regis responded. “I called you over here to talk about you.”

Samson, puzzled, said, “I'm doing fine.”

Regis positioned his body so he would be looking directly in Samson's face. “Some people have been telling me some things, and frankly I don't like what they are saying.”

Samson fidgeted in his chair. “Like what?”

“Now, I have never been one to judge because the Bible says, ‘Judge not that ye be not judged.' But from what I can see, Delilah Baker is nothing but bad news.”

“Dad, you know you can't believe everything people tell you.”

Regis laughed. “Son, I might be old, but I'm not dead. Women like Delilah have been trying to bring down the men of God for generations.”

It was Samson's turn to laugh. “Come on now. It's not even that serious. She comes to me for advice. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“If you think I believe that, then you, my son, have a bigger problem than I thought. Do you think you're the only man who's been tempted?” Samson didn't answer. Regis said, “Answer me.”

“Dad, maybe we should talk later.”

Regis ignored him and said, “Do you think it was easy for me to resist temptation when I was a pastor of Peaceful Rest? No, it wasn't.”

Samson had always known his father to be faithful to his mother. He never heard any rumors of him stepping out on her. Now he wondered if that was the case.

Regis said, “We've been blessed to have some good genes. And women around here love men with good hair because in their minds we would make good-looking babies.”

“I'm not trying to have any kids right now, but when I do, it'll be with Julia.”

“Good intentions can lead to lifelong despair if God is not involved.”

Samson stuck out his chest. “Dad, I got this. Everything is under control.”

“From where I sit, things are about to get out of control. Anytime people are murmuring about something and it gets back to me, there's an issue.”

“Who is saying these things?” Samson asked.

“It doesn't matter. What matters is that you be careful. Every day, you have to put on the full armor of God in order to resist temptation that surrounds us.”

Samson thought about what his dad said. “I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't chase women like some of the preachers I know. I'm a pretty stand-up guy.”

“But you're not perfect. Even I, who've been in the ministry since I was twenty-five years old, have fallen short. Don't ever think you're above reproach. Every man has an Achilles' heel, and Satan knows it.”

“Dad, I've never known you to step out on Mom. So are you telling me you cheated?”

“I cheated, but not the way you think.”

Samson shook his head from side to side. “I don't understand.”

“My addiction was alcohol. Being a minister can be stressful, so instead of taking my burdens to the Lord like I preached to my congregation, I turned to the bottle. My love for alcohol almost destroyed my marriage and my ministry. But thank God for His grace and mercy. See, that's why I can sit here and tell you, son, that without putting on the full armor of God every day, you can't fight this battle by yourself.”

Samson listened. If his dad could get over drinking alcohol, he surely could resist Delilah. But did he really want to? That's the question that plagued his mind.