Door to Kandalaura Read Free Page A

coordination were amazing.
Ben and Mary joined us. Ben told Andron how well Herby was doing. He even showed
us his new aquarium. Andron loved watching Herby. It gave me a feeling of pride to
see how much he was enjoying himself on our planet.
    When Mom came home, she saw Andron and gave him a big hug.
    “I’m so glad to see you,” she exclaimed. “It’s been way too long.” I could tell she
was as attached to him as Dad and I. That gave me hope. I don’t think Dad told her
about Andron’s request till after we were all in bed that night. At one point I thought
I could hear her crying.
    “Don’t worry,” said Andron. “I know they’ll let you go.”
    “I wish I could be so sure,” I said. “You already know how emotional Mom is. My parents
love me, and they want to protect me.”
    “That’s just it,” said Andron. “Their love for you will outweigh their fear. They
won’t want to deprive you, especially after your father studies everything I gave
him. I know you’re going. Just trust me.”
    “Andron, you amaze me. You’re a kid like me one minute, and the next thing I know
you’re talking like a grown-up. You have so much confidence. I sure hope you’re right.”
    The next morning Dad said he wanted to talk with me alone.
    “Son, I need to know how badly you want to go. We can’t be sure of how much his scientists
really know. We don’t know what kind of tests they’ve run concerning our planet and
our DNA. And what if it’s a trap? Andron seems sincere and truthful. But there’s
still enough risk for your mom and I to say no. I need to know. Are you willing to
risk your life for this? Or is this just a whim, like sort of a fun thing to do?
Tell me how you really feel.”
    Tears came to my eyes. “Dad, it’s like a fire burning inside of me. Ever since Andron
came, it’s all I think about. I feel like it’s something I have to do. And yes, I’m
ready to risk my life for it.”
    “All right, son,” he said, putting his finger to his lips and his thumb under his
chin. Then he looked at me intently. “We love you more than you know. You’re our
only child. This is the most difficult decision we’ve ever had to make.”
    “I know, Dad,” I said. We hugged. “It’s hard for me too, but I trust you and mom.
You’ll make the right decision.”
    Mom made her monster waffles with ham and eggs for breakfast. Nothing was said about
the trip. That would come much later.
    Even though Andron told my parents to take their time deciding, I thought I was going
to burst. Then two days later, after lunch, Dad looked at Andron intently.
    “Son,” he said, “you’ve asked us to entrust to you the one thing that’s most precious
on this earth.” I could tell the big answer was coming. Dad continued, “You’re a
strange mixture of boy and man. You look like a child on the outside, so young and
innocent. But on the inside, you have the wisdom, integrity, and knowledge of a grown
man, perhaps more than any man I know. I guess that’s why Mikey’s mom and I have
decided to let Mikey go with you.”
    Andron and I were stunned. For a few seconds no one spoke. Then I jumped up and down
and shouted, “I’m going to Kandalaura!” I ran over and hugged my parents. “Thank
you, thank you, thank you,” I said. “You won’t regret this. I know I won’t.”
    Andron shouted, “I knew it! I knew it!” He ran over and hugged mom and dad too.
    I was still so excited I thought I’d burst. “Yes!” I screamed. Then I ran and did
cartwheels all the way down the hall. Andron was close behind me doing the same.
We high fived and hugged, laughing till we thought our sides would burst. Mom and
Dad were laughing too. This was the happiest day of my life.
    Finally when we were all so wilted we could barely move, mom began asking the practical
questions.
    “So, Andron,” she said, “what should I pack for Mikey? I have no idea what he’ll
need.”
    “Not much,” Andron replied. “Maybe just a