Geography

At a speakeasy in Mexico, I ask a short man with big feet to dance. At first I am worried people will be scandalized that two men are dancing with each other. Soon everyone is gathered around watching, but they don’t seem shocked at all. Instead, they are watching to see if I can do the steps and keep up as the musical styles keep changing - Rumba, Samba, Mambo! - and I step on his feet. Each time one of my feet bump the little man’s dusty black shoes, the crowd gasps and then laughs and then cheers. I want to stop, but he insists I continue. He even takes my arms and puts them in place so I am leading. “Tu puedes!” he says and the crowd sings backup: “Yes, yes! You can!” And I think how Mexican it all feels, everyone laughing at my missteps and at the same time wanting me to succeed.