Open Position

Before I went to prom with him, my friend
insisted I learn how to dance.
Dancing was not my thing and I did not
quite like the concept of positioning
myself next to him like I had to, even though he was openly
gay. I really felt very awkward.

17 is an awkward
age, and even though Joe was my good friend
I couldn't quite manage to open
myself up well enough to dance.
Every time he repositioned
me I felt like I'd been twisted into a huge knot.

However, Joe was not
one to give up easily and even though it was awkward,
he continued to put my body in strange positions,
as if I was merely a doll and not a human friend
who deserved more respect and personal space than this dance
allowed. I did not want to be open

with him at all. But open
position it was, whether I liked it or not.
Joe wanted me to dance
the tango by the time this was over and he didn't care how awkward
the whole thing got for his friend.
I started to loathe open position.

But I allowed him to reposition
me as he chose. I wished he would be less open
with what he said, though. "Hun, I know you're my friend
and all, but you really need to not
hide your body. It isn't as awkward
as you think. In fact, it's beautiful. Now DANCE."

I must admit I felt violated. I hated dancing
the tango by the time we finished with open position;
I felt so damn awkward
with every step I took. I wanted to be less open
and I wanted him to not
push me so hard. For god's sake, I'm not a dance student, I'm a FRIEND.

Awkwardly I tried to dance;
Joe's friendship was there to aid me as I tried open position.
Open position failed, of course, but I did not.