Ch1-Way Down Yonder in New Orleans

A Good Night for Ghosts

CHAPTER ONE Way Down vonder in New Orleans. Jack was asleep. He was dreaming that he was sleeping on a boat. It was rocking back and forth, back and forth… "Jack." Jack opened his eyes. It was just getting light outside. Rain was tapping against the window-pane. Tappity-tap-tap. Jack closed his eyes again.

"Jack, get up." Jack opened one eye and looked up. Annie stood next to his bed. She was already dressed. She was even wearing her raincoat. "They're here," she whispered. "No, they're not," Jack said. He closed his eye. "Yes, they are," said Annie. "They're waiting for us." "How do you know?" Jack asked. "I dreamed it," said Annie. "Oh, you dreamed it." Jack turned over and pulled the covers over his head. "Go back to bed. It's really early, and it's raining."

"Come on, Jack," said Annie. "I saw them. They were wearing their cloaks and looking out the tree house window." "Great," said Jack. "I just dreamed I was sleeping on a boat." "But my dream was real, Jack," said Annie. Jack pretended to snore. "Okay," said Annie. "I guess you want me to go there all by myself. You want me to have a great adventure while you just lie here, dreaming about sleeping. If that's really what you want, I'll leave you alone." "Good," said Jack. "Have fun." "Don't worry, I will," said Annie, and she left Jack's room.

Jack lay still for a moment, listening to the rain fall outside. Darn, he thought, what if she's right? Jack heaved a sigh. Then he climbed out of bed. He pulled on his clothes and grabbed his backpack. He slipped down the stairs, put on his rain boots and raincoat, then headed out the front door. Annie was standing on the porch, waiting for him. "Ready?" she said. Jack just grunted. But as he and Annie took off into the cool, rainy dawn, he woke up completely. As they charged up the sidewalk, Jack's heart pounded with excitement. By the time they headed into the Frog Creek woods, Jack felt like he'd dreamed Annie's dream, too.

Raindrops tapped on tree branches. Jack and Annie scrunched over fallen red and gold leaves until they came to the tallest oak. Jack looked up. "Ta-da!" said Annie. The tree house was back. And Teddy and Kathleen were dressed in their dark cloaks, looking out the window.