Delilah (7 page)

William was the last person Delilah wanted to see. She wondered if she should ignore his knock and pretend she wasn't home. William shouted from the other side of the door. “I know you're in there, so you might as well open the door.” He beat on the door again.

Knowing if she didn't answer he would come back, Delilah decided it was best to deal with him now and get it over with, so she opened the door. “William, good to see you.” Delilah moved to the side and allowed him to enter.

“Your preacher man is a hard one to crack,” he said. His six foot two inch frame towered over her as they walked to her living room.

“Told you it isn't as easy as you think it should be.”

William picked up a few of her figurines. “I don't want you to do anything else until after the wedding. Once he's married, he'll have more to lose if he's caught in an affair with you.”

Delilah wasn't too sure she liked William's plan. Threatening Samson with the video didn't give her the results she wanted. When Samson left her house earlier, she had a long talk with Keisha. Keisha reasoned with her, and although Delilah didn't completely agree with her, Keisha had a point. Delilah had to let him go—let him go and see for himself that marrying Julia would be a mistake.

“So are you down? If so, I'll throw in another $25,000. Half now and the other half with the other money I owe you,” William said.

“I really like Samson. I don't want to see him hurt.”

William touched her chin and tilted her face so she would be facing him. “If he cared about you, and I mean really cared about you, he would not be leaving your bed to go marry some other woman. Your allegiance is to the wrong man.”

Before she could blink, William's lips were on top of hers. She pushed him away. “Stop. What's gotten into you? I can't believe you kissed me.” Delilah wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

“Sweet Dee. You'll be calling me when the good Rev. is no longer taking care of your womanly needs.”

Delilah rolled her eyes. “I would rather be celibate than sleep with you.”

“Be careful what you say now. I am your boss.” William's signature laugh sounded throughout the room.

“Boss or no boss, I will not sleep with you.”

“Good. Because I want you to stop playing around and sleep with Samson.” William removed a stack of money from his jacket pocket. “Here's the down payment.”

“I'm not a whore.” Delilah didn't take the money.

“Well, according to my sources, you used to drop it like it's hot every night at The X Spot.”

“I'm a changed woman. You know that.”

William placed the money in her hand. “I know that I've invested a lot of money in this shopping center project, and you, my dear, are going to close it for me. I'll be in touch.”

Delilah remained in the same spot until she heard the front door close. “I hate you William,” she yelled as she removed the money from the paper wrapper and counted it.

She promised Keisha she would let things be, but William's offer to pay her more money drew her back in. William could be so persuasive when he wanted to be. She would not let William win this round. She loved Samson, and she would not allow him to destroy her one and only love—even if it meant forfeiting any other money.

She dialed William's number. He answered on the first ring. “You can come back and get your money. I'm not doing it.”

“Oh, you will do it or else the good Rev. will get a package on his wedding night with your personal resume—you know the one where you opened up shop for the highest bidder.”

“You wouldn't dare.” Delilah bit her bottom lip.

“Trust me, I would,” William said. “So do we have a deal?”

She blinked her eyes a few times and shook her head. “I'll think about it.”

“I'll take that as an affirmative.” He laughed. “Good day. I have more pressing business to take care of.”

Delilah paced the floor. She could tell Samson William's plans. Would that make him trust her more? Would he still go through with the wedding? Probably. So who was she fooling? She gathered up the mail that had accumulated on her desk in the den and started going through it.

“What do we have here?” she asked out loud. She removed the gold seal from the opening of the envelope. “I should have opened up my mail sooner,” she said after reading the enclosed invitation.

Delilah placed the envelope in her purse and went to her closet to find something to wear. She tried on several outfits until she found the perfect one. It was a shimmering red form-fitting, knee-length dress accenting all of her curves. She applied a minimum amount of makeup but lined her lips with ruby red lipstick. She puckered up and looked in the mirror. “Ladies, don't start the party without me.”

Delilah stopped by Mall St. Vincent and picked up a last-minute gift for the bride-to-be. She paid extra to have the set of lingerie gift wrapped. She now stood outside on the porch of Michelle's brick home. Rushing because she was running late, Delilah almost broke her heel on the sidewalk leading up to the house. She rang the doorbell for a second time.

A young woman whom Delilah didn't remember seeing before answered. “Are you here for Sister Julia's bridal party?” the young woman asked.

“I sure am,” Delilah responded.

“I can help you with your gift.” The girl attempted to take the gift from Delilah's hand.

Delilah held on tight to her package. “I got it.”

The girl looked at Delilah strangely but said, “Everybody is in the den.”

“Lead the way.”

Delilah could hear plenty of laughter as she followed the girl. She admired the decor and felt she and Michelle had similar taste. Once they entered, the young woman announced, “We have another guest.”

Every eye in the room was focused on Delilah and the girl. The room fell silent.

“What is she doing here?” Dorothy asked out loud.

Delilah walked over to where Julia sat and handed her the gift she had been carrying. “This is for you.” Delilah turned in Dorothy's direction. “And to answer your question, Ms. Dorothy, I'm part of the Pastor's Aide committee, and this is a Pastor's Aide-sponsored event, so I'm here.” Delilah twitched her head and smiled before turning around to find an available seat.

Julia said to Dorothy, “It's okay.” She looked up in Delilah's face. “Delilah, thank you for the gift.”

“You're welcome.” Delilah took a seat and crossed her legs. “Is this a party or what? Why all the frowned up faces?”

Elaine said, “She's right. One monkey don't stop the show.”

Delilah uncrossed her legs and then crossed them in the other direction. Not once did her smile crack. “Flip Wilson said it could, but that's a conversation for another day.”

Kelly intervened, “It's game time.”

Delilah said under her breath, “Yes, let the games begin.”

Samson was enjoying the bachelor party some of the men insisted on throwing him until Calvin said, “Michelle just called me. Delilah's at the bridal party.”

“I better get over there,” Samson said, placing his can of soda on the table.

“Nonsense. Michelle's going to play interference. If anything jumps off, she'll call me.”

As much as Samson tried to forget about what was happening at Calvin and Michelle's place, he couldn't. Delilah hadn't called him once since he'd left her place earlier that day, and that scared him. He slipped away from the men and walked out on the patio. He dialed a number.

“Delilah, I hadn't heard from you, so I just wanted to make sure things were cool between us.” Samson knew it was a bad idea to call Delilah, but he didn't hang up.

He could hear women laughing in the background. “You miss me already?”

“Are we cool?”

“Do you want to talk to her?”

“No. Are you crazy?”

“Not certifiable.” The noise level decreased on Delilah's end. “I'm surprised to hear from you.”

“Just checking on you.”

“I'm fine, and your wife-to-be is fine too. After the games, we'll be opening up gifts.”

“What are you doing there, Delilah?”

“Are you jealous? Would you rather I be at your party instead? You know I can leave here and come where you are. All I need is the location.”

“I would feel better if you left. You don't even like Julia.”

“No, I don't, but I love you. So if she's going to be a part of your life, I'll have to adjust.”

“Man, what are you doing out here? The fellows are looking for you,” Michael said, interrupting the words Samson was about to speak.

Samson didn't hear him coming, but turned to face him as soon as he realized he wasn't alone. Samson held up his hand. “I'll be there in a minute.”

“I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were on the phone.” Michael turned away and went back into the house.

Samson turned his attention back to the phone conversation with Delilah. Slightly above a whisper, he said, “Leave before any drama starts, okay?”

“You should be getting back to your party, and I'm about to get back to mine.” Delilah hung up on him.

Samson re-entered the house and whispered in Calvin's ear. “Man, we need to go crash the bridal party. Delilah refuses to leave. I don't trust her around Julia.”

“Calm down. Forget Delilah for a minute and enjoy your night. Are you my partner or what? Because I'm ready to show them who the dominoes kings are.”

Samson decided to take his friend's advice and relax and enjoy his party. “I'm counting every time I lay a bone down,” Samson said.

“That's what I'm talking about. Let's do this.” Calvin followed Samson to the den, where the other men were waiting.

Samson sat across from Calvin, and after a few hands played, Calvin slammed a domino on the table. “Thirty.”

When it was Samson's turn, he counted, “Twenty-five.”

Michael and his partner barely counted. When it was Calvin's turn again, he shouted, “Y'all really don't want none of this.” He counted again. He and Samson stood up and high-fived each other.

Michael pretended he didn't care that he and his partner were losing. “I just haven't been getting any good hands.”

“Oh, you was talking noise when Samson wasn't here,” Calvin said as he placed his dominoes on the table.

When Samson's turn came around, he turned and looked at Michael. “Just because I feel sorry for you, I'll let you get ten in.” Samson, with a wide smile across his face, placed his domino on the table.

Michael counted and a few minutes later Calvin yelled, “Domino.”

Samson did a little dance move in his chair. “Who's the man?”

“Y'all want a chance to redeem yourselves?” Calvin beat on his chest.

“They can't handle the dynamic duo,” Samson said.

Michael pulled out a deck of cards from his pocket. “Spades is my game. Anybody down?”

Samson looked at Calvin. “Might as well beat them at spades too.”

“Let's do this,” Calvin said.

During the course of the game, several of the men brought up Delilah's name. Samson's guilt ate at him. He did his best to refrain from commenting.

Michael said, “Samson, no disrespect, but if I were a single man, I don't think I could resist her.”

“I'm not single; I'm getting married Saturday.” Samson switched from friend mode to pastor mode. “And if you were single, I would have to counsel you against committing fornication.”

One of the deacons said, “I guess he told you.'”

The men laughed. The chatter among them went back and forth. Many would be surprised at the openness between Samson and some of the men in his congregation. Although he was their pastor now, he grew up with some of the men, so they were used to being open with him on their views. He didn't always agree with them, and he had no problem letting them know it, either.

Samson ended up having a good time at his bachelor party. Delilah didn't cross his mind again until he was getting ready to leave. Samson approached Calvin and said, “Man, I want to thank you for everything.”

“That's why I'm the best man,” Calvin said.

“Seriously, I was about to run over to your house until you stopped me.”

“Michelle hasn't called me, so I'm sure everything is fine.”

“Julia hasn't called me either.”

“I'm headed home. Tomorrow's another long day. We have the rehearsal dinner. I plan on sleeping late, so don't call me before ten.”

“I'll be tied up in court all day, so I'll talk to you tomorrow at rehearsal.”

“Thank you, Lord, for allowing this night to end drama-free,” Samson said out loud, although in the back of his mind he knew at any moment Delilah could say to Julia or his mom something that would change his night. He tried not to think of anything negative as he drove straight home.

Delilah's face seemed frozen with the fake smile she wore the entire night. As much as she hated to admit it, Julia could have made a good friend under different circumstances. But life handed them different roles to play, and unknowingly, Julia was her enemy. She's the one who had Samson's heart, and she was the one he would vow to love until death.

Julia read a card that Kelly had given her from Samson. The women were
oohing
and
ahhing
at the sweet words written on it. Tears formed in the corners of Delilah's eyes at the thought of losing Samson forever.

“It is touching isn't it,” Elaine said sarcastically to Delilah.

Lord, I'm trying to be good, but if this heifer says one more word to me, I'm going to snatch that low-grade yaki hair off her head.
Delilah tried to ignore Elaine and continued to watch Julia open her presents.

Julia held Delilah's gift in her hands. “Who's this from?” she asked as she removed the pretty pink ribbon from the pink Victoria's Secret box.

Michelle read the card. “It's from Delilah.”

Delilah smiled. Julia removed the pink tissue paper and held up the black and red laced lingerie. A few women said, “Sexy. I like it.”

“Women should pick out their own lingerie,” Dorothy said, not once taking her eyes off Delilah.

“Ms. Dorothy, this is a bridal party,” Michelle said. “I know when Calvin and I got married, I got some of the cutest lingerie, stuff I wouldn't dare buy for myself but was glad I got.”

“Me too. Michael never knows what I'll be wearing when he comes home at night,” Michael's wife said.

“I don't know a man who can resist a woman who wears something like that,” Delilah said.

“Listen to her, honey, 'cause you know she has a lot of experience with men,” Kelly said.

If Kelly wasn't Samson's mother, Delilah would have walked up to her and slapped the taste out of her mouth, but she kept quiet. The rest of the gift-opening occurred without any snide remarks. Julia stood up afterward and said, “I want to thank you all for coming and for the wonderful gifts. I'm overjoyed right now.”

Some of the women went to Julia and hugged her. Delilah remained seated. The doorbell rang. “That must be Calvin. He must have forgotten his key,” Michelle said. She left the area to go answer the door. “Who are you?” Delilah heard Michelle ask.

A male voice responded, “I'm here for Julia Rivers.”

“Who is it?” Dorothy asked.

Delilah wished Dorothy would mind her own business. She sat down and watched everyone's reaction when a man walked in wearing a pair of tight jeans, a cowboy hat, and no shirt.

“One time for the rodeo,” someone shouted as the male dancer started putting on a show.

“Who's responsible for this?” Dorothy asked Michelle responded, “I don't know, but I need to thank them because brother man got it going on.”

“Ladies, this is inappropriate behavior for Christian women. We should not be partaking in this foolishness,” Kelly said.

The dancer took that opportunity to shake his body in front of Kelly as some of the women stuffed his shorts with dollar bills. Delilah rolled over with laughter when Kelly almost fainted.

The male dancer collected money as Dorothy and Kelly looked on with disgust. Julia seemed reserved, but she slipped the dancer a few dollars when she didn't think Kelly was watching her. Delilah even participated in the fun. She should have, since she was paying for the dancer to be there.

“Ladies, looks like I came in just in time,” Calvin said from the living room entryway. Michael stood beside him.

The male dancer took that as his cue to leave. He grabbed the money and his clothes. Michelle said to her husband, “Baby, we're wrapping things up now.”

“I see,” Calvin said, with a raised eyebrow.

Delilah grabbed her purse and followed the dancer outside so she could pay him the money she promised.

“I'll walk you out,” Michael said to Delilah.

“Sure, but your wife might get jealous.” Delilah twisted out of the room.

The male dancer waited near Delilah's car. “Good job. Here's your money. Thanks for the entertainment.” She handed him an envelope.

He moved closer to her. “The party don't have to stop. We can take it to your place.”

She pushed him away. “I don't think so. I'm a Christian woman, and I don't do dancers.”

He retreated. “Your loss, baby. I got another show to do anyway. I'm out of here.”

Delilah threw up two fingers. “Peace.”

“It figures she would be trying to get with that dancer,” Delilah heard one of the women from Julia's party say to another.

She turned around to face them. “Y'all better be glad I'm saved because the old me would have commenced to throw down.” Delilah didn't wait for a response. She hit the car alarm button and slid into her driver's seat.

When driving away, she eased her car as close as she could to the women. They both jumped. Delilah laughed and sped away.