Mambo in Chinatown

A man came up to me and said, “You’re from the New York studio, aren’t you? I’ve heard of you. You must be the Princeton graduate.”

“No, actually, that’s her.” I pointed to Adrie

“Oh, I’m sorry. Since you’re Asian, I just thought . . .” His voice trailed off.

Then I caught sight of Ryan and my breath hitched. Instead of the traditional black shirt and pants that most male Latin dancers used, he was wearing a white tuxedo shirt and black pants, without a jacket. He was staring at me as if he couldn’t stop. I went over to him and he swung me into a waltz with the rest of the social dancers. I danced with the crispness of his shirt underneath my fingers, the scent of his cologne embracing me.

—

As Nina and Keith were finishing their rumba, just before we were to go on and perform our routine, I spotted a Chinese man at a center table. He had gray hair, angular features, and was watching the dancers with great intensity. Pa. I gulped for air. What was my father doing here? And, oh gods, Lisa was sitting next to him, looking very young here.

Ryan noticed my panic. “What’s wrong?”

“My father and sister are here.”

He squeezed my hand, and we were on. I could hardly breathe. The crowd was immense. I was going to forget my steps. I was only a dishwasher. My mind was a complete blank. But then I met Ryan’s eyes. He held out his hand to me and our music began.

My body must have remembered the hours of training we’d done, but I was only conscious of the music and of Ryan. I moved with him, and even when he wasn’t touching me, I could almost touch our co

When the music stopped, I saw that Dominic and Adrie

We stepped off the floor, then walked back on while the other contestants joined us. The judges tallied their scores as I sca

“You nailed it,” she said.

I held her by the shoulders. “You were fantastic too.” I turned to Keith, who was standing beside her. “You were both stu

“I couldn’t take my eyes off the two of you,” said Keith.

And the a

Now it was only Nina, Keith, Ryan and me, and one other couple left on the floor. It was the first time Ryan and I had ever competed and we were still in the ru

The a

Nina and Keith had been a

—

It was hard to push my way through the throng of people. Everyone wanted to tell us how captivating we’d been, but Ryan must have understood what I was trying to do because he made sure we kept moving forward. I reached the spot where I’d seen the Chinese man. Had I been mistaken? Then he was in front of me and it was Pa, with Lisa by his side. He dashed a hand across his eyes, took me by the shoulders and embraced me. “It was like I caught a glimpse of your mother again, when she was young, but it was all you, Charlie. I am proud of you, dishwasher daughter no more.”

I could hardly keep my balance, this was all so much to take in. “I’m so glad you came, Pa.”

I turned to my little sister, who was staring at me as if she were in shock. “I almost didn’t even recognize you out there, Charlie.”

I slung an arm over her thin shoulders to hug her. “You remember Ryan.”

Ryan bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek and I saw his intelligent eyes taking in the walker she leaned upon, how pale she was.

When he straightened, I laid my hand on his arm and addressed Pa. “My partner . . .” I took a breath. “. . . and boyfriend, Ryan.”

Pa had already been eyeing him. Now he swallowed hard. Slowly, he extended his hand and they shook. “Are you a dancer man too?”

“No, I’m a gardener, sir.”

Pa nodded. I could tell he liked the gardener and the sir part. “Maybe you can come to have a cup of tea sometime.”

Twenty-Four

R yan drove all of us back to New York City that evening. Most of the other dancers stayed since the competition would continue through the weekend. In the van, I asked Pa, “How did you get here, anyway?”

“We took the train. The lady at the train station helped us figure it out.” He looked proud of himself, then ashamed. “I was going to barge in and save you from yourself. I didn’t understand.”

“It’s all right, Pa. I’m so glad you and Lisa saw me dance.” I glanced over at my sister, who’d been quiet and withdrawn. The trip must have exhausted her, plus the bewildering array of new people.

As Pa and Lisa got out of the van, Ryan caught my hand and kissed my knuckles before I could leave. I leaned toward him and whispered, “See you very soon.” Both Pa and Lisa were watching us. Pa made a brave effort to stop wincing when I exited, but I couldn’t read Lisa’s expression at all.

—

The next morning, I was humming to myself as I made breakfast for all three of us. It was just toast, and for once, I didn’t burn it. I set it in front of Ma’s altar and bowed. “I know you’ve been guiding my steps, Ma. Thank you.”

At breakfast, I said to Lisa, “To celebrate, I’d like to buy something pretty for you today.”

“Really?” She perked up, and for a moment, she looked like the old Lisa. “But it’s hard for me to walk too far.”

“We could just go to one of the bigger stores in Chinatown, and maybe you could come with us, Pa. You don’t have to work today.”

He said, “I am not so good at shopping.”

“But if Lisa becomes too tired, you could help me walk her home. We’d be able to stay out longer that way, and I’d really like to do something fun with the three of us.” I could barely contain my happiness: the competition, my dancing, and I had a date with Ryan that evening. I pushed my worries about Lisa away, just for today.

Pa muttered, “This will be fun?” But he was smiling.

—

A few hours later, Lisa and I stood in one of the dressing rooms at a large boutique in Chinatown. We’d chosen the handicapped dressing room so we’d have enough space for Lisa’s walker. I hung up the cute dresses I thought she might like. She hadn’t wanted to try anything on but I’d insisted. Pa was hovering around outside the curtain, waiting for us.