【第一章】E05 外教版 | A Lucky Day

Chapter 1 A Lucky Day 

Joe opened his mouth to protest. Then he closed it. He knew nothing he could say would change his mother’s mind.

And maybe she was right. Maybe this job really was the best career he could hope for.

Joe let out a long sigh. Then he nodded. “Yeah.” 

“Good.” Libba looked satisfied.

Bzzzz. Joe’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw an unfamiliar number. “Hello?”

“How you been, Mr. G?” said a voice Joe recognized but couldn’t place. “It’s Curley—uh, Lamont. Lamont Baker.”

“Curley!” Joe was surprised to hear from his former student. It had been—what? At least a decade since Curley had graduated from middle school. “Hey, man. How you been?”

“Great, Mr. Gardner.”

Joe chuckled. “You can call me Joe now. I’m not your teacher anymore.”

“Okay, Mr. Gardner. Hey, look,” Curley said, getting to the point, “I’m the new drummer in the Dorothea Williams Quartet, and we’re kicking off our tour with a show at The Half Note tonight...”

“Dorothea Williams?” Joe yelped. “You’re kidding. Congratulations, man! Wow. I would die a happy man if I could perform with Dorothea Williams.”

“Well,” Curley replied, “this could be your lucky day...”

Moments later, Joe hung up the phone, his heart pounding. Dorothea Williams! I’m gonna try out for the Dorothea Williams!

Dorothea Williams was one of the greatest living saxophone players, a queen of the New York jazz scene. The chance to play with a musician like her only came around once in a lifetime.

Joe made a quick excuse to Libba and dashed for the door. He headed for the subway that would take him to the West Village, where The Half Note was located.