Samson scrambled to find his pants. “I’ve been here an hour. I told Julia I was on my way.”
“You’ll learn to stop lying to your wife.” Delilah’s laugh sounded sinister to Samson. It was as if she was mocking him for yielding to temptation once again.
“Where’s the disk?”
“Oh it’s blank, but you can have it.” Delilah reached on the coffee table and held it out.”
Samson threw his arms in the air. “I’ve got to get out of here.”
“If I were you, I would shower first. You wouldn’t want to go home smelling like another woman, would you?”
Samson thought about it. Delilah had a point. He followed her to her bathroom, removed his clothes, and took a quick shower.
Delilah was sitting on the sofa in her living room when Samson finished showering and getting dressed.
“I want that disk, Delilah,” Samson demanded.
“There’s no disk.”
He didn’t believe her but would drop it for now. He had to get home to Julia before she got suspicious. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“I betcha,” she said.
Samson broke several traffic laws trying to make it home. He checked his cell phone but didn’t have any calls from Julia, so that put him at ease. “What is she doing here?” he asked out loud when he saw his mother’s car in his driveway.
Samson said a quick prayer before heading into the house. “Lord, please don’t let me say something disrespectful to my mama.”
Kelly greeted him at the door. “Here’s my baby boy.”
“Mom, I’m thirty years old and married, so don’t you think it’s time for you to stop calling me baby boy?”
She looped her arms through his. “I don’t care how old you get. You’ll always be my baby boy.” They walked toward the dining room.
“Ain’t he cute?” Julia teased.
“Oh, I see. Y’all going to double team me,” Samson surmised.
“Just having a little fun with you. Lighten up, son,” Kelly teased.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” Samson said to his mother.
“If you would take the time to call me or come see me, I wouldn’t have to make these impromptu visits.”
Samson leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “You’re here now. Why don’t you stay for dinner?”
“I’m meeting your father over at a friend’s, but I did want to talk to you about something.” She looked at Julia and then back at him. “Alone.”
“Follow me.” Samson led her to his study.
She took a seat. With her small frame, the black leather chair seemed to swallow her body. “My sources tell me that someone’s been sweeping around your back-door.”
Samson sat in the chair next to her. “Translation please.”
“Delilah has been seen coming to your office on several occasions. Now, I haven’t said anything to Julia because I’m sure there’s nothing to tell.” Samson remained quiet. “There isn’t anything to tell, right, son?” his mother asked for clarification.
“No, Mom,” he lied. He couldn’t look her in the eyes.
“Well, hypothetically speaking, if there were”—he felt she knew he was lying—“it would be in your best interest to either stop counseling her by yourself or have one of the associate pastors do it. Being seen alone with that woman is not good for your marriage.”
“Delilah is not a problem.”
“Anytime a woman acts as brazenly as she does around you, there’s a problem. She acts like she’s your woman, and that’s not good for your image.”
“So what all has Elaine told you?”
“Elaine’s not the only person I talk to. I have eyes in many places. You best remember that.”
Samson reached for her hand. “Delilah is not a threat to my marriage. And if you must know, Julia and I are doing just fine, and I know you know what I mean.”
Kelly stood up. “In that case, my job here is done. You make sure things stay that way. And mark my words, Delilah is nothing but trouble.”
“Wasn’t it you who taught me not to judge people?” Samson asked as he walked her out of the room.
“I also taught you not to be a fool either.”
“Touché.”
Samson walked his mom to her car. “Remember what I said. Stay clear of that woman. She’ll be your downfall if you don’t.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Samson turned to walk back in the house. Julia stood at the door waving at his mom. “So did you two have a nice visit?” she asked when Samson returned to the house.
Samson knew she wanted to know what was discussed, but he refused to let her know, so she could fish for information all she wanted. Over dinner, Julia discussed ideas she had for some of the church ministries.
“Now do you see why I need to quit my job?” Julia asked.
Samson saw how Julia’s eyes lit up. He didn’t want to disappoint her. Against Samson’s better judgment, he responded, “Okay, give it until the end of the summer and put in your notice.”
“Thank you, honey,” Julia smiled.
Julia led Samson to the bedroom. She undressed him. “What’s that?” she asked.
“What?”
“It’s red.” Julia rubbed the scratch on his shoulder. A mark that was placed on him by Delilah the last time they were intimate.
Samson’s underarms perspired. “Something bit me.” He looked at Julia, and since she didn’t stop kissing him, he assumed she believed his lie. After another lovely night together, Julia fell into a sound sleep.
Sleep evaded Samson. He closed his eyes, but visions of fire and brimstone greeted him every time he drifted off. While Julia rested, Samson lay in torment, fighting his internal demons.