Delilah (18 page)

Julia's demeanor had changed since being back around Samson. He whispered, “What's wrong, baby?”

“I don't want to talk about it,” Julia snapped.

He had to increase his pace to keep up with her as they walked to the banquet hall. Whatever was bothering her, he was glad she smiled and shook people's hands as they made their way to the front of the banquet hall.

Samson felt honored that his church members cared enough for him to do this. He was satisfied with being able to preach the Word at Peaceful Rest and on a live TV broadcast. He didn't need the extras. Julia's phone rang and she answered it, so Samson took the opportunity to look around the room. He smiled with joy as he scanned the smiling faces in the room. His facial expression changed the moment he saw Delilah enter the banquet hall. She seemed to be walking in slow motion. Ironically, she was wearing a shade of green. She demanded attention just by walking in the room, and he wasn't the only man who looked in her direction.

For a moment he thought she was headed to his table, and he raced to think of what to say. Then he saw her stop two tables back and take a seat. Relieved, he picked up the program someone had passed around to all the tables.

Julia hung up her phone. “Your parents won't be able to make it. They had a flat.”

“Dad should have called. I could have gone by before coming here.”

“Your mom said all is well. Your dad is just a little worn out from changing the tire. It seems he had quite a time.”

Samson called his father, and when he was assured that Regis was fine, he got off the phone. The pre-anniversary celebration had begun. Samson squeezed Julia's hand. She no longer seemed tense. They stole hidden glances at each other and smiled. Samson and Julia held hands throughout the ceremony when they weren't clapping after a performance or eating.

Samson's heart was filled with gratitude as heads of some of the church auxiliaries presented him with tokens of appreciation. He couldn't imagine what they had in store for him on Sunday because they were adorning him with gifts now. Their empty plates had been removed from the table and filled with various gift bags.

Some of the men had to help Samson carry the items to his vehicle. “Happy pre-anniversary,” Delilah said as he passed her in the hallway.

“Thanks,” he responded. He looked up ahead and saw Julia standing in the banquet hall doorway. He didn't dare stop walking.

“What did she want?” Julia asked when Samson approached her.

“She just spoke.” Samson led them back into the room, and they said their good-byes.

Silence filled the car for most of the trip to their house. Samson finally spoke. “What's wrong, honey bun?”

“Nothing,” Julia snapped.

Samson dropped the subject until they were getting ready for bed. Julia got in the bed and turned her back toward him.

“You know we promised to not go to bed angry with each other,” Samson reminded her as he placed his arm around her tense body.

“Why did you lie to me last night?” Julia asked.

Samson had to do a mental rewind. He couldn't remember lying about anything. “Baby, I'm not sure I know what you're talking about.”

“Of course you're not.”

Samson moved. “Let's sit up and talk.”

“You're right because I want you to look me in my eyes and tell me why you lied about that call last night.”

Samson had his
aha
moment. He knew he wasn't crazy. He had put his cell phone on the other side of his clock. He let out a few deep breaths. Julia had invaded his personal space by checking his cell phone without his knowledge.

“Are you going to answer me or not?” she asked.

“Julia, I'm in shock. I never took you for the insecure type. You don't see me going through your purse, do you?” Samson countered.

“This isn't about me. It's about you and the fact you got a call from Delilah and lied about it.”

“Technically, I didn't lie. I never told you who it was because there was nothing to tell.”

“Then why the secrets? What else are you hiding?”

“I need to be asking you since it seems you have all the answers,” Samson said. “You're the one playing
CSI
when there's nothing to investigate.”

“I'm sorry, okay?” Julia avoided eye contact with Samson. In a solemn voice, she said, “I just felt like you were lying, and when I saw that woman's number in your phone—it just burned me up.”

Samson touched her chin and tilted her head toward him. “Who am I in bed with? Who do I wake up with? I'm with you, so there's no reason for you to question my loyalty.” Samson hoped his words were enough to ease Julia's mind.

Delilah missed service last Sunday, but she was determined to be there this week no matter what. She applied her makeup to match her suit. She decided to wear a lilac-colored knee-length suit she had purchased from Dillard's department store. Keisha had done her hair the day before, so all she had to do was remove her hair net and watch the long, cascading curls fall loosely. She ran her hand over a few loose strands.
The first lady wouldn't be the only one looking good today
, she thought.

Keisha had assured her she would be there to perform for the anniversary program. She sure hoped so because she was counting on her to show up and show out. Listening to a local gospel radio station, Delilah eased into a parking place near the front of the church. The parking lot wasn't as full as it normally was. On days when there were two services, some members would opt not to come to the first morning service.

Delilah didn't plan on missing any of the services. She waited in her car until she knew it was time for church to start. The usher at the door handed her a program and directed her to sit to her left side. Delilah wanted to sit on the right side, so she moved past him and started walking toward the pew she preferred. She heard the usher call her name, but she ignored him and sat where she wanted to. If the service hadn't already started, she was sure he would have tried to make her move.

Associate Minister Monroe preached the first service. Afterward, Delilah caught up with Michelle to see if she needed her to do anything. “We got it covered,” Michelle assured her.

“Don't say I didn't offer my services,” Delilah said.

“I'm sure I wasn't the only one who turned them down,” Michelle said before walking away.

There was an hour break before the second service started. Delilah didn't have a reason to go back home, so she wandered the halls. She passed by Samson's office a few times. His door was open so she could see a few people going in and out. As soon as he was in the office alone, she slipped inside.

“Happy anniversary, Pastor,” Delilah said.

Samson looked up. He didn't look too happy to see her. “Delilah, I don't have time to talk to you today.”

“Now, what kind of greeting is that for one of your diehard supporters?” Delilah stood in front of his desk.

“Julia will be here any minute, so I suggest you save whatever you have to say for later.”

“I don't get a happy anniversary? It's been one year this month since I joined Peaceful Rest. Don't I get some congrats or something?” Delilah asked. She eased her way around his desk.

Samson moved his chair farther from Delilah. “I'm happy that you joined Peaceful Rest, okay?”

“So can I get a hug?” she asked.

Delilah saw the sweat drip from his forehead. She got a tissue and wiped it for him. He grabbed her wrist. “Don't.”

She dropped the tissue, and it landed in his lap. Delilah's cell phone rang. Keisha's special ring tone played. “That's my friend. We'll continue this later.”

Delilah left Samson's office and ran right into Elaine. “Oops, sorry,” Delilah said.

“Ms. Dorothy is looking for you.” Elaine looked like she wanted to say something else, but she didn't.

“Thanks.” Delilah smiled, turned on her heels, and twisted down the hall.

She found Dorothy talking to another one of the women on the Pastor's Aide committee.

“Elaine said you were looking for me.”

“Yes, your friend who's doing the solo is here.” Dorothy handed her a lilac-and-white corsage. “Make sure she puts this on.” Dorothy reached down and got another one. “And this is for you.”

“This is pretty. Thanks.” Delilah was truly surprised by Dorothy's kind gesture.

She went inside the sanctuary and noticed the seats were filling up. She looked around to see if she could locate Keisha. “Boo,” Keisha said from behind her.

“Girl, don't sneak up on me like that no more.”

Keisha and Delilah hugged. “We'll be sitting near the front. Tell our musician what song you're going to sing, and he'll do your music so you won't have to play the piano and sing,” Delilah said as she led her to where the minister of music sat. “Victor, this is my friend Keisha. She's on to sing a solo today.”

Victor asked in his high-pitched voice, “Do you know what song you want to sing yet or are you just going to let the Spirit move you?”

Keisha responded, “I'll be singing ‘The Battle Is The Lord's.'”

“Let me hear you sing the first verse so I can get your key,” Victor said.

Delilah listened to the lyrics of the song Keisha was singing and thought about Samson. She wondered if she was fighting a losing battle concerning him.

“How do I look?” Julia asked Samson for the umpteenth time. They were in his office doing last-minute preparations before the anniversary program started.

Samson responded, “If you looked any better, I would have to keep you hidden in my office.”

“You sure? This dress looks a little too short.” Julia turned around and viewed herself in the mirror hanging on the wall.

“Baby, you look perfect, okay? Stop stressing.”

She picked up the lilac purse that matched her suit. “This is my first anniversary as first lady. I want to make a good impression.”

“I'm honored to have you on my arm.”

Someone knocked on the door. Kelly was standing on the other side when Samson opened it. “You two ready? The guests are here, so we're ready to start.”

“After you two,” Samson said. He held out his arm and allowed Julia to exit the office behind his mother.

Samson's parents were escorted in first and took their seats on the first pew. Two seats decorated in lilac and white were situated at the front of the church facing the pulpit. Calvin and Michelle were on program to escort the pastor and first lady. Everyone stood up as Calvin escorted Julia and Michelle escorted Samson into the sanctuary.

Samson wasn't flashy and didn't like a lot of fanfare, but he appreciated all that his congregation and other ministers in the community were doing for him.

Julia whispered, “You are loved by so many people.”

That was the best part about the program. He could feel the love, and he didn't want to ever lose the people's affection or respect. A soloist brought tears to Samson's eyes as she sang, “No matter what you're going through the battle is not yours, it's the Lord's.” He glanced at his program and saw the name Keisha Green listed. The Spirit hit him, and he jumped on his feet. He wasn't alone; other members of the congregation were also standing and waving their hands in the air.

Someone shouted, “Yes, Lord. It's yours.”

The guest minister, Reverend Jonas J. Johnson, stood up after Keisha's solo. “Y'all want to have some church up in here today, I see. Let the Lord use you.”

Keisha was handed the microphone again, and she sang a few more stanzas. The Spirit of the Lord was in the sanctuary during the entire service. Reverend Johnson's sermon struck Samson close to the heart. “We're here to celebrate a great man of God. My sermon today has been about the duties of a good pastor. I'm not going to keep y'all much longer, but I have a few more words I need to share with my brother. As a pastor, you should have good moral character.”

Samson nodded his head in agreement as he listened to Reverend Johnson go over the duties of a pastor. “The pastor is accountable to God for how he treats the church. How can a pastor lead God's flock if he's doing the same thing the people of the world are doing? See, I know this man we're honoring today. He's a good man. I've known him since he was a little boy. When the rest of us wanted to run out and chase women, Samson was chasing the Word of God. So Samson”—Reverend Johnson looked directly at Samson—“keep your eyes focused on the Lord and ministering to His flock.”

Before he took his seat, Reverend Johnson said: “Samson, I know I speak for everyone assembled here today. We love you, we respect you, and we're honored to be able to celebrate your anniversary with you today. So, great man of God, keep preaching God's Word.” Amens were heard throughout the room.

Samson reached over and squeezed Julia's hand. During the presentations, Julia couldn't control her emotions. She cried the tears that Samson held bottled up inside; he felt such joy for all the things the church and their friends in the ministry did for them. After the service, Samson and Julia tried to thank everyone personally for their contributions to the day's event.

“Jonas, you brought it home,” Samson said as he hugged him.

“I'm just a messenger boy,” Reverend Johnson responded.

“I want you to meet my lovely bride.” Samson introduced Julia to him and other people standing around who hadn't met her.

They made their way to the fellowship hall, where the members had prepared a feast. After Samson blessed the food, the crowd lined up to get plates and drinks.

Julia said, “There goes the soloist. Come on, I want to tell her how much I enjoyed that song.”

Samson followed Julia as they made their way through the crowd. “We wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed the song,” Samson told Keisha when they approached her.

“Thank you, Pastor Judges.” Keisha extended her hand to shake his.

“I wish I could sing like you,” Julia said.

Keisha reached to shake her hand. “Don't I know you from somewhere?” she asked.

Julia squinted her eyes. “We may have seen each other around.”

“What high school did you go to?” Keisha asked.

“Huntington.”

“That's where I know you from. We were in gym together.”

Julia said, “That was so long ago. I'm sorry, I don't remember you.”

“I see you've met my best friend,” Delilah walked up and said. She continued, while looking at Samson, “I'm responsible for getting her to sing at your anniversary. She did a great job, didn't she?” Delilah smiled as she looped her arm through Keisha's.

Samson felt the room getting smaller. “Great. Keisha, thank you for blessing us with your voice.” Samson then turned his attention toward Julia. “Dear, we'd better go take our seats so Ms. Dorothy can stop giving us the evil eye.”

Samson placed his hand on Julia's arm and led her to their table. Two hours later, Samson and Julia were headed home. “It wasn't as bad as you thought it would be, now was it?” Samson asked.

“This whole day was wonderful. I don't know why I was nervous in the first place.” Julia squeezed his hand.

Samson smiled as he drove. His church family adored him, and he had the love and respect of his wife. Life couldn't be more perfect.