So it's the day after El Salvador's Dia De Independencia, and thank god. Watching little bichas shaking their stuff in fishnets, heeled boots and a pound of makeup was not my idea of freedom.
I spent my morning sitting in the wafting aroma of pupusas, hanging out with my vendadora friends on the El Cocalito football field. By the coffee hour I was sipping a weak brew in the Plaza of Atiquizaya and by noche I was sitting on Ave's bed, waiting for the next good story, and ready to bob and weave.
Let me backtrack...
Last week, de repente, I found myself being kissed by a Salvadoran. I won't get into details, but let's just say it was not so great. The lingering sabor of cigarettes, fruity gum and fear didn't really do it for me.
We had plans to hang out this week, so I didn't break them. I generally enjoy his company, though I have to admit that I spend a fare share of our time together discreetly chuckling at him rather than with him. His nearly constant movement, his romantic view of everything, his cliche phrases, and his tendency to overshare are like a fuente of entertainment. He's just so weird, but it is hard to remember sometimes that I am not in Kansas anymore, and nothing is like it is back home.
Which takes me to this scenario. Sitting in the Ave's bed, listening to music and talking about one thing or another. I was a little on edge, assuming he would again try to kiss me, and I had to have a means of dodging it. Then, in the next moment, he was doing that thing with his eyes that he must think is super suave, and I know it's time to act.
"Hold on a second," he said in his too cool-for-school voice, and he reached up onto a nearby shelf. "I want to show you something."
So I brace myself. Could be something cool, could be something horrifying.
He keeps his back to me and I hear some questionable sounds.
He turns around and has a two foot balloon inflated and starts making me a balloon animal. A dog. I cringe and choke back my laughter and try to keep cool with every squeaky twist.
"Normally I do this in my whole clown costume, but for you I'll make the exception."
And that's where I loose it.
