Door to Kandalaura Read Free

see, I want Mikey to come back with me to Kandalaura
for a few days.”
    Dad’s mouth opened wide, and he almost fell out of his chair. Andron had come right
to the point, and it left my father in utter shock.
    I was shocked too—shocked and excited at the same time. Never in my wildest dreams
had I thought of visiting another planet. I felt special just having Andron come
to visit.
    Finally Dad got a hold of himself. “Well, young man, you don’t waste any time saying
what’s on your mind. You really took me by surprise. But the things is, even if I
said Mikey could go, is it scientifically possible. I mean, how could he survive
a trip like that? Even if Mikey survived the trip, would he be able to breathe on
your planet? It seems out of the question considering the risks,” he said, shaking
his head in astonishment at Andron’s request.
    “Yes, sir, I understand,” said Andron. “However, I wouldn’t have asked without first
investigating the matter thoroughly. You see, our transports don’t run on your kind
of fuel. They’re constructed to attract huge masses of light. We travel at excessive
speeds on pathways of light, actually much faster than the speed of light. Our people
have fashioned a special helmet for Mikey to wear. It’ll insure proper breathing.
To be honest, Mr. Steelman, he may not even need it. It’s just a precaution. I have
all the scientific information. He handed dad a folder. “You’ll see,” he said. Andron
spoke with such confidence that it seemed like he hadn’t even considered being turned
down.
    “Yes, sir,” he continued. “There’s absolutely nothing to be concerned about. Our
atmosphere on Kandalaura is similar to earth’s atmosphere, only the air is purer.
Mikey will be able to do things there he can’t even do on earth. Only good can exist
in our country. There’s no evil, sickness, or death. Nothing bad can possibly happen.”
With that he flashed a huge smile and gave my dad a proper military salute. I think
he even clicked his heels together.
    Dad was totally surprised by what he had just witnessed. But I could tell he was
quite taken with Andron. Finally he spoke, “I have to admit I hadn’t expected someone
so young to be this knowledgeable. It’s both refreshing and scary. I never imagined
having to make a decision like this. And don’t get any ideas because I’m not anywhere
near ready to give my consent. I’m only considering the idea of considering your
offer. And, of course, Mrs. Steelman will be just as much a part of that decision.
Mikey’s mom left for the store. She’ll be back in a few minutes. She’s very protective
of him. This is a weighty decision. It’s going to require some heavy thinking and
a lot more time.”
    “I understand, sir. Please take all the time you need.”
    “You just handed me a thunderbolt, and I don’t know what to do with it,” said Dad.
“On the one hand it’s my duty to protect my son. And yet I don’t want to keep him
from the experience of a lifetime.”
    “I’m prepared to wait as long as it takes, sir,” said Andron.
    I couldn’t believe it. Dad was actually considering Andron’s offer. I could hardly
breathe. This meant that going to Kandalaura was actually a possibility. I hardly
dared think of it for fear of losing it.
    Finally Dad said, “Why don’t you boys go outside and run off some energy?”
    That was a good idea because I was pumped. I was so excited I felt like I could fly.
“Come on, Andron,” I said. “I can’t just stand here. I gotta move. Let’s go outside.
Have you ever seen a pogo stick?”
    Andron shook his head. He was beaming. His eyes were bright with excitement. Yet
he was calm and confident. I’d be jumping out of my skin about now if I were him.
But he’s not like us. After all, he’s from Kandalaura!

Chapter 4
    DAD, CAN I GO?
    A NDRON DIDN’T TAKE long to master my roller blades, skateboard, scooter, and bike.
He had the most fun on my pogo stick. His agility and