Whatever it is that Dick got, it's almost time for me to find out.

Twenty minutes and counting until showtime...
I grab my guitar and head to Bludhaven Park with my Father's words ringing in my mind.

They're giving me strength.

Not [rage-strength] but a special kind of strength. One that kind of feels like a hug from my Father.

It's not a very long walk so, five minutes later, I'm there.

Man!
That's a big crowd.

Sure enough, Dick's there in the front row.

I can't really make out the thing that's with him though.

A man who looks quite a bit like him leads me onstage.

Seriously, all this guy needs to do is lose the Mohawk and the nose ring and he could pass as a pretty good double for Dick.

"I'm Max. I'll be your manager for tonight. Do you have any questions kid?" "Yeah I do. Where's my green room?" "Got a sense of humor don't you? I like that. Right this way Miss Andersen."

I don't know if I'd like Max calling me H, but I do follow him.

"Like your guitar by the way. I've never seen one like yours before."

Of course you haven't.

"That's because it's custom made." "Sweet. So what, you need an amp or something? I've already got your mike ready." "I need a stand for my songbook. I've got one of the songs I'm doing memorized..." "But not the other one? Not a problem. Will this one do the trick?" "Yeah, that one should be fine." "Want me to put it onstage for you?" "No thanks. I can get it."

Once I get it onstage, I'm informed that showtime is in 2 minutes.

"Good luck kid." "Thanks Max."

Well...here goes nothing.

"Hi guys. I hope you like my singing because I'm going to start now."

I clear my throat and start playing.

"If you were with me now I'd find myself in you..."

By the time I start Jimmy Eat World's Hear You Me, it's so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

After I finish I brace myself, not sure what to expect.

I get applause and lots of it.

I smile.

My grin broadens when I see Dick coming towards me.

He's holding a bouquet with a foam finger inside it.

Among the cherry blossoms, I can just make out what it says on the foam finger.

It says: #1 H Fan!

"Thanks Dick." "You're welcome. I told you I'd think about getting a foam finger." "I like the flowers too."

I take an appreciative sniff.

They smell so good...
Wait a minute.

Is that Wally?

Yeah, that was definitely him.

I'm pretty sure my secret identity's still safe so, feeling like I'm on Cloud Nine, I walk with Dick back to his place carrying my guitar, songbook, and the flowers.

On my way, I make sure to thank Max.

"Not a problem kid. You've got a beautiful voice. So, if you really want to thank me, come back some time to do another performance O.K?"

I smile.

"I think I can do that." "Sweet. See you next time, kid."

He leaves me with a grin on my face. See you next time, Max.

"Told you it would be all right." "Who said I doubted you?"

Dick just smiles.