Ch10-Thanks a Million

CHAPTER TEN Thanks a Million. Jack pushed his glasses into place and opened A History of New Orleans Music. "What's that, man?" Dipper asked. "It's a history book," said Jack. "Teddy and Kathleen gave it to us," said Annie. "Oh, yeah, my best friends," said Dipper.

Jack looked in the index of the book. He found the right page and turned to it. "I'm going to read something to you, man," said Jack. "Just listen." And Jack read: As a young teenager, Louis Armstrong often performed with "kid bands" on the streets of the city. Eventually he played with older musicians in dance halls, and he developed his musical talents performing on Mississippi river-boats. When he was twenty-one, he moved to Chicago, where he played in the well-known band of his old friend Joe Oliver.

"Joe Oliver?" said Dipper. "Joe's in that book? I'm in that book?" "Yep. Hold on, there's more," said Jack. He read: Over time, Louis Armstrong became world-famous, but he always called New Orleans home. The city honored him by naming a large park the Louis Armstrong Park. It also named its airport the Louis Armstrong International Airport. "What's that? International airport?" asked Dipper. "That's where planes fly in and out from all over the world," said Annie.

Dipper started laughing. "Y'all are pulling my leg." "No," said Jack. "We're not. Look at this, Dipper." He held up the book and showed Dipper the picture of Louis Armstrong, the King of Jazz, playing the trumpet in front of a huge crowd. "That's you, Dipper." Jack waited for Dipper to laugh and say the picture wasn't him. But Dipper stopped smiling and nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I've seen that picture before," he said softly.

"You have?" said Jack, stunned. "You've seen this picture before?" said Annie. "Where?" "Here." Dipper touched his chest. "Here, in my heart. It's the picture I've had in my heart for a long time, like a dream. Hey, y'all, is this a dream?" Jack and Annie laughed. Annie smiled. "Yes, you could say that," she said. "But it's a true dream," said Jack.

"Keep that picture in your heart, Dipper," said Annie. "Hold it close to you, and one day you'll be living it. We promise." For a long time the three of them just stared at the picture. When Jack looked at Dipper again, he saw tears glisten in Dipper's eyes. "Okay, I'll do that," said Dipper. He wiped his eyes with the palms of his hands. "I think I can keep my jobs and start making a little room for my music, too." "Yes!" said Annie. "Maybe you should go play with the fellas on the riverboat tonight," said Jack. "Yeah, maybe I'll try and do that," said Dipper. "Great!" said Annie.