Delilah. Shelia M. Goss

nothing to squash. We had a meeting. She said a few things I didn’t like, and I said a few things she didn’t like. End of story.”

      “Well, Ms. Dorothy said you attacked her.”

      Delilah didn’t allow Julia to finish. “Ms. Dorothy is a bitter old woman who y’all let get away with talking to folks crazy. I respect my elders, but when she questioned how I dressed, that was it for me.”

      Julia cleared her throat after looking Delilah up and down. “You have to admit, you do dress provocatively.”

      Delilah stood up. She pressed her hands down on her knee-length skirt. “Am I to be ashamed of the body that God blessed me with? Unlike you, I don’t have a problem flaunting my body.”

      “You can choose to wear something else.”

      Delilah laughed. “Julia, if I wore a sack, your man, the good reverend, would still notice the body hidden underneath it, so stop hating.”

      Julia turned beet red. “You have no shame do you?”

      “I haven’t done anything.”

      “God is not the author of confusion.”

      Delilah placed her hand on her hip. “Are you calling me a devil?”

      “I’m just saying you could have handled that situation with Ms. Dorothy better.”

      “Maybe so, but I didn’t grow up at Peaceful Rest and will not let her or you disrespect me.”

      Julia stood up. “I should have known coming over here wouldn’t do any good.”

      “Then why did you come?” Delilah asked.

      “Let’s drop it. It’s probably best that you resign from the Pastor’s Aide committee,” Julia said before walking toward the door.

      “Ohhh. Now I see what this is about. You don’t care about Ms. Dorothy; you’re just concerned about Samson.” Delilah, with a pout on her lips, said, “Until Samson kicks me off the committee, regardless of what you or Ms. Dorothy want, I will remain on the Pastor’s Aide committee. Now if there’s nothing else, I have things to do.”

      Julia turned around when she got to the door. “Dee—Isn’t that what your friends call you?—Samson and I are getting married next weekend, so if I were you, I would give it up, honey. The best woman has won.”

      Delilah gritted her teeth. “You’re the she-devil. Get out of my house now.”

      “Gladly,” Julia said.

      Delilah slammed the door behind her. The wall shook. Delilah rushed to locate her cordless phone and dialed Samson’s number. “Samson, I need to see you tonight,” she shouted.

      “I have plans,” he responded.

      “I suggest you break them or your future bride will find out all about us?”

      “Delilah, I’m tired of you threatening me with this. Julia’s meeting me for dinner. Afterward, I’m telling her myself. Are you happy now?”

      That was not the response she expected to get from Samson. Delilah hung the phone up. She had to think and think fast. Thoughts raced in Delilah’s head as she imagined how Julia would respond once she found out about her and Samson. Delilah was confident there would be no wedding. Samson wouldn’t have to worry because Delilah planned on being there to console him.

      “Samson, yes, tell her. That means you’ll be mine sooner than later,” Delilah smiled.

      Chapter 8

      The palms of Samson’s hands were drenching with sweat. He grabbed another napkin off the dining room table to wipe them. He listened to his mother and Julia go over last-minute wedding details while they ate dinner. He couldn’t wait to get Julia alone so he could find out what happened at Delilah’s. He dreaded telling her about his indiscretion, but Delilah had left him no choice.

      “Son, I can’t tell you enough how proud I am of you and this beautiful woman here,” Regis said between bites.

      “Thanks, Dad.” Samson hoped Julia would forgive him because between her parents and his, they had spent a lot of money on their upcoming wedding.

      “Julia told me about her visit with Delilah,” Kelly said.

      Samson saw the looks exchanged between Kelly and his dad.

      “We’ll talk about it later,” Julia said to her fiancé.

      “Dear, the first thing you need to learn is to never, ever sugarcoat things when you talk to your husband,” Kelly advised. “He’ll appreciate your honesty.” Kelly looked in Regis’ direction. “Won’t he, dear?”

      Regis dropped his head. “And son, you’ll learn to never disagree with your wife.”

      Samson and Julia looked at each other and laughed. “This will be us in thirty years,” Samson said.

      Kelly didn’t seem to find it amusing. Her nose twitched. “Well, Samson you already know how I feel about Delilah.”

      “Everybody at this table knows how you feel,” Samson responded.

      Kelly ignored Samson and continued to give Julia advice. Their conversation transferred from the dining room table to the den. Samson was relieved when Regis finally took over the conversation.

      “These two probably want to spend a little time together before it gets too late,” Regis said.

      Kelly smiled. “Oh, I was young once. Julia, why didn’t you stop me? I would have let you two go a long time ago.”

      Julia looked at Samson. Samson shrugged his shoulders before Julia spoke. “Mrs. Kelly, I always enjoy our conversations.”

      Samson’s parents walked them to the door. Kelly reached out to hug Julia good-bye. “Remember what I said.” Kelly then hugged Samson and whispered in his ear when he bent his head down, “Take care of your mess.”

      Samson and Julia exited the house, and less than an hour later, Samson and Julia were sitting on her couch watching a romantic comedy on DVD. Samson couldn’t enjoy the movie or Julia’s company because he dreaded telling her about him and Delilah. He visualized Julia’s reaction to the news in his head several times. He was positive her response would mimic the woman’s reaction in the movie they were watching. It was enough to change his mind. He would have to figure out another way to deal with Delilah. He couldn’t dare risk losing Julia by telling her about his lack of restraint.

      Samson yawned. “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting sleepy, so I better go.”

      “You could spend the night,” Julia said in a low and sultry voice.

      “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Samson moved and Julia stood up.

      “Why? We’re getting married next week, so why not?”

      “We decided to wait until after we’re married, so waiting one more week won’t hurt.”

      “I’m a woman, and I have needs.” Julia waved her hands back and forth in the air. “This no sex before marriage was your idea. I’ve been waiting two years to have sex with you. We’re about to get married, so come on. Let’s just do it.” Samson could hear the frustration in her voice.

      “I have needs too, but baby, we’ve come this far. We can wait.” Julia had no idea how hard it was for him to resist making love to her. He had never seen her so aggressive with him before.

      “I bet you if it was Delilah offering her body to you, you wouldn’t turn it down?”

      “This has nothing to do with her and everything to do with us.”

      “Prove it.” Julia started kissing him and unbuttoning her blouse.

      Samson