While in college, my roommate was a member of the Chicano Student Club. I was interested in their activities so I joined. To raise funds for scholarships, they organized dances with the club cooking the Mexican fare. Tacos, frijoles, burritos and rice were offered to the paid guests. Working in the kitchen, I soon learned several swear words in Spanish. After the meals were served, Connie, my roommate told me the young man I was talking with was making inappropriate remarks in Spanish.
“If you feel me kick you under the table, slap the man talking.”
Soon I was in conversation with a good looking man in an Hawaiian shirt and jeans. As he leaned close and whispered a comment in Spanish, I felt a sharp kick to my leg. Without hesitation, I slapped the speaker.
Later, after I had danced with another young man, he made a comment as he pulled out my chair for me. As I sat down, I felt a hard kick under the table. Turning to the speaker, I landed a hard slap to his cheek.
Before the evening was done, I had convinced many people I knew Spanish, word spread.
“That gringo understands Spanish”. The disrespect and use of crude suggestions stopped. My calf took longer to heal.
Baile
accordion, guitar
sweet tenor croon
words of love
in Spanish tongue
strong elixir
amor
carolaspot@aol.com
May 6th 2024
traveling up and down the blind highway 