Chapter 44
David didn’t care who was around. He kneeled down next to the incubator. He closed his eyes. With one hand on little David’s small leg and the other on his forehead, David prayed silently. “Father God, I know that I’ve been disobedient. I know that I don’t deserve to ask you to spare my child’s life, but, Lord, I’ve done what you asked. I’ve repented. I’ve made amends. I’m trying to do right by providing for my wife and child.
“Lord, if it is your will, please let death pass us by. I give my son to you to do with what you may. I promise to bring him up in a way that’s pleasing to you. Lord, have mercy on your humble servant.”
David was ending his prayer when he felt an arm on his shoulder. “I was told you were down here.”
David stood up. “Nathan, he’s not doing too good.”
David rarely cried in front of anyone, but at this point, he didn’t care. He turned and cried on Nathan’s shoulder. Then David pulled himself together and followed Nathan out of the room. He kept looking back at little David.
“Sheba told me you were here. Delilah’s in the room with her.”
“I can’t face Sheba right now. Tell her I will be back later. I need to get out of here,” David said and hurried down the hallway.
“David,” Nathan called out to him.
David rushed past everyone and out the hospital doors. “Why, Lord? Why now? I thought you forgave me. You let me believe that things were going to be all right. Now this.”
David threw his fist up in the air in anger. His driver saw him and tried to calm him down, but it didn’t do any good.
David heard a woman’s voice say, “I got him.”
He looked up into the face of Delilah. “You’re the last person I want to see.”
Delilah grabbed him by the arm. “Get in the car, David.”
He was in too much pain to argue, so he got in his car, and Delilah got in right behind him. She said something to his driver. David’s driver closed the car door, and a minute or so later, he pulled off.
“Where are we going?” David asked.
“You tell me. You were the one running out on my sister when she needs you.”
“Look. My baby’s dying, and I don’t have time for your attitude.”
“Woe is David. I’m trying to get you to deal with this so you can be with Sheba. Sheba needs you right now. You say you love her. Then act like it. Don’t bail on her right now.”
“I’m not bailing. This is just too much. My baby’s being punished for something I did.”
Delilah said, “Don’t beat yourself up.”
“Oh, you’re not going to gloat. I know you overheard me and Nathan talking.”
There, David had said it. Everything was out in the open. No more pretenses between him and Delilah.
“David, I figured out what your plan was long before I overheard your conversation. I don’t fault you, because—believe me when I say this—I’ve done some things I’m not too proud of.”
“So you’re not going to tell Sheba?” David asked.
“Sheba’s not a stupid woman. If you think that, then you don’t know the woman you married.”
David wasn’t satisfied with her response, so he said, “Promise me you won’t tell Sheba what you overheard. As her sister, I’ll ensure that you are always well taken care of.”
“Really? I was going to keep the secret for free, but since you insist on sharing some of your wealth... .” Delilah looked around the back of the town car. “Share it with me, brother-in-law. I’m not even going to give you a dollar amount. Whatever your heart desires to give me, I’ll accept.”
Delilah had to be one of the sneakiest, most underhanded women, besides his ex-wives, that David had come across. He had fallen right into her trap. If it would keep her big mouth closed, then he would do it. He would call his accountant as soon as he could and would have a nice amount of money transferred into Delilah’s bank account.
“Let’s do monthly installments, so the government won’t be suspicious,” Delilah said. David looked at her like she was crazy. She went on to say, “I’m thinking about all those taxes I’ll have to pay.”
“It’ll be the same amount regardless if it’s monthly or one large sum.”
“Oh, in that case, give me all you got, King David.”
David called his accountant and set up the transfer. Delilah seemed pleased. David had to hand it to Delilah. She had accomplished one thing. He had momentarily forgotten about his son and his wife, but now it was back to the issue at hand. He needed to convince God to spare his son’s life. How? He had no idea.