Delilah. Shelia M. Goss

to. Are you sure you’re ready to marry me?”

      “Yes, I’m ready to marry you,” Samson didn’t hesitate to respond. “You’re the woman I’ve prayed for. I love you, Julia.”

      She sulked. “It’s hard to tell.”

      Samson rubbed her back. “We’re both stressed, so just chill out, okay?”

      Julia faced him. “I love you so much, Samson, but I’m not going to be like some of these first ladies in the city. I refuse to share you with anyone.”

      “You’re not going to have to share me. I’m a one-woman man.” Samson hoped God wouldn’t strike him down. In his heart, he was a one-woman man. He just had to figure out a way to get Delilah out of his system. He would keep his distance from her—he had to.

      He embraced Julia and blinked a few times when he glanced at one of the living room windows and saw Delilah blowing him kisses. Before he could react, she walked away. He squeezed Julia without once taking his eyes off the window. He had to think of a way to deal with Delilah or risk losing Julia—and that’s one thing he wasn’t ready to do.

      Chapter 5

      Delilah laughed all the way to her car. She got a rise out of watching Samson squirm around Miss Goody Two Shoes. She couldn’t wait to burst Julia’s bubble when she walked away with her man and the status of first lady. Samson wanted to play games with her emotions; she would show him how to play. Delilah thought about the video of her and Samson together. She wouldn’t give it to William, but she sure would use it to get what she wanted from Samson.

      Two hours later, Delilah sat across from several other church members as they all discussed what the Pastor’s Aide committee would be doing for their pastor’s upcoming wedding.

      Dorothy Neely, the president of the Pastor’s Aide committee, said, “Julia says she doesn’t need our help, but I feel we should be doing something. What do y’all think about helping out at the reception?”

      Dorothy was the oldest member on the committee. She went to school with Samson’s mother and never let the other committee members forget it.

      As far as Delilah was concerned, there would be no wedding. She leaned back in her chair and waited to see what the other eleven members had to say.

      With arms adorned in big, red bangle bracelets, Michelle Thompson spoke first. “Ms. Dorothy, it is their wedding, so I think we should honor Julia’s wishes.” Some of the other members, including Delilah, nodded in agreement.

      “Nonsense,” Dorothy responded. “I say we take a vote. All in favor of not doing anything at the reception raise your hand.”

      Six hands went up. Dorothy smiled, but her smile soon faded when Delilah’s hand went up, making the number seven and sealing the majority. Dorothy huffed. “Well, we can at least take up a special collection so we can get them a nice gift.”

      Delilah uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. “No disrespect, Ms. Dorothy. I don’t know about y’all, but I’m on a budget.” Delilah looked around the room. “I can’t afford to buy them an individual gift and then donate money for another gift.”

      Michelle jumped into the conversation. “I say, let’s chip in for one huge gift and then sign our names to the card.”

      “I’ve already gotten them something, so I’ll pass,” Delilah responded.

      Lora Stampley, who was about the same age as Dorothy, said, “Dorothy, why don’t we just all get individual gifts?”

      Dorothy rolled her eyes and ignored her. She looked around the room and said, “All in agreement with one big gift instead of doing individual gifts raise your hand.”

      Several of the other women had bought their gifts already too. Those who hadn’t raised their hands. Dorothy said, “You ladies can still sign your name to the card.”

      Lora whispered in Delilah’s ear, “I can’t stand her sometimes.”

      Delilah couldn’t help but chuckle. She was glad to learn she wasn’t the only one who had her fill of Dorothy. Delilah smiled as they continued to discuss other upcoming church events. The only reason she joined the Pastor’s Aide committee was so that she could get closer to Samson. She used being part of the committee as an excuse to see him one-on-one in his office. She was sure Elaine could see past that, but Delilah didn’t care. She watched the other women in the room, and besides Ms. Dorothy and Michelle, who was happily married to a prominent Shreveport attorney, she had a feeling most of the other women were on the committee for the same reason she was. They could step back because as soon as she got rid of Julia, Samson was all hers.

      Delilah heard her name being called a few times before snapping back into reality. “Just ignore Dorothy,” Lora said.

      Too late. Dorothy had Delilah’s full attention. “You ladies need to start setting an example for the young women of the church. How are we to tell them how to be modest if we’re dressed any kind of way?”

      Delilah rolled her eyes. “I dress for me, not everybody else,” Delilah said.

      “Don’t think I’m singling you out,” Dorothy said.

      “It sure sounds like it. I don’t see you saying anything to anyone else in the room.”

      All eyes were on Delilah. “Ms. Dorothy, why don’t we table this discussion for another time?” Michelle asked as she pulled the top of her blouse closer together, covering her cleavage.

      “That’s the problem now. Nobody ever wants to talk about things.” Dorothy pointed at one of the other women in the room who had on a very short skirt. “Dear, what you have on would be inappropriate for church. God is not pleased with you showing all of that.” She moved her hands up and down from her waist to her lower body.

      The other women remained quiet. Delilah refused to sit and be insulted because of her style of dress. “Just because you’ve let your body go doesn’t mean the rest of us have to hide behind long, ugly dresses.”

      Dorothy put one of her hands on her hip. “I will not be insulted by the likes of you.”

      Delilah stood up but remained in front of her chair. “I was taught to respect my elders, but you have to give respect to get it. I think I better leave before we both say some things we’ll regret later.”

      “Yes, you better because I might be old, but I haven’t forgotten how to throw down.”

      Michelle jumped up and intervened. “Ms. Dorothy, this is so not like you.” Michelle wrapped her arm around Dorothy’s shoulders and glanced in Delilah’s direction. “Delilah, I think you leaving now would be a great idea.”

      Delilah reached down and grabbed her purse. She had to pass Dorothy to get to the front door. “Let that be the last time you disrespect me. Elder or not, I have no problem kicking your behind.” Delilah heard the women murmuring as she strutted out the door.

      Chapter 6

      Samson said a silent prayer before leaving his office to head to the sanctuary. “Samson, we need to talk,” his mom said before he could reach the entryway to the sanctuary.

      He turned around to face her. “Mom, is it life-threatening?” he asked, noticing the worried look on her face.

      “No, but—” she said.

      “Then it can wait until after church. Love you.” He kissed her on the cheek.

      The soloist’s voice rang out the words, “So I’ll just say thank you, Lord…I won’t complain,” while the other ministers in the pulpit stood up and greeted Samson as he made his way to the center seat. There was not an empty seat in the church as people of all ages began to feel the Holy Spirit. As the song ended, Samson made his way to the podium. The music continued to play as Samson sang the words, “So I’ll just say thank you, Lord…I won’t