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.