The Dancer

OPENING UP

 

Between 7:30 and 7:50 p.m. ten strangers walk up the black metal stairs to Darla's Dance Studio. I am one of them. I am filled with trepidations and determination. Darla's name jumped out to me in the Yellow pages as it sounded somewhat euphoric, was within a ten minute ride from my small apartment and the price fit my wallet. Above all is my need to meet new people, circulate, make friends, have some fun.

 

Red and blue lights shine from the second story windows. I can see a swaying shadow, then another, make out two women dancing together. My shoes clank on the iron steps. The door opens easily but is caught by the wind and bangs loudly as it hits the back wall. Cha Cha music blares from a disc player. Quickly I count five women and Darla. She cannot be missed. By far she is the most attractive. Her ruffled black skirt splits almost to her crotch. The top is tight and well-rounded. She approaches me, gives me a big, wide smile and I can't help but notice two upper gold teeth centrally placed. They remove any exciting thoughts I had for too short a time.

 

Until 7:55 I am the only male. By chance the five male strangers arrive at the same time. Darla hurries them in, checks off their names on a yellow pad and makes quick introductions. The Cha Cha disc repeats itself. Darla's head, her body pulsates to its rhythm. She moves to the middle of the floor and beats her hands to the Cha Cha chachacha music. As she pairs us off, my feet turn to cement. My partner is about two inches taller than a midget. I am 6'2". Already my confidence in Darla has disappeared.

 

My head swirls wondering why these ladies are taking dance lessons. They dance as if they were born to be lithe, willowy, feel passion, music. The men, including me, are all klutzes, clumsy, wooden. Our teacher motions for us to change partners. I laugh at us men who stand rigid while the ladies make the decisions. My midget moves, grabs Jerry. He knows the basic step, but looks clumsy. Darla stops everyone except the midget and Jerry who give us a demonstration.

 

We do the same cha cha chachacha for an hour. New muscles begin to ache. I'm not sure about the rest of the men but I am certainly a little better than I was before this one class. I am singled out as I am always one beat ahead or behind the beat. Darla changes the disc, same pace but much louder. She puts her arm out, signals me to come in close. Who am I to deny myself such pleasure? I move close to that smooth, luscious body. The two gold teeth turn me off. Her rhythm leads me. I feel her moves that pulsate thru my loins.

 

Sensually she moves, breathes deeply. I hold her tighter and forget the gold teeth.