Van Bender and the Burning Emblems (The Van Bender Archives #1) Read Online Free

turned to go to my dressing room in about two seconds, she would be torn between investigating where I’d been looking, and following me to my dressing room. Hopefully she figured I couldn’t get into trouble there. After all, according to her plan, the Safe Zone was, well, safe. I couldn’t fathom how the CMI would get around that, but apparently he—or she—felt it wasn’t a problem.
    This was the moment of truth. It would bust the plan, or seal it with success.
    I turned and started to walk away, ignoring the general weariness in my body, willing Mom to go the other way.
    “Where are you going?”
    “My dressing room.”
    “What for?”
    “To plot world domination—I don’t know. Just to be alone for a minute.”
    “You’re on in five.”
    I barely heard it over the crowd that had started to chant my name. She waffled between following me, and looking out onto the stage, at my pretended accomplice.
    I held my breath as I walked away and looked back at her.
    She hesitated only a moment longer.
    Then came after me.
    My heart almost failed me.
    She walked by my side through the narrow, empty hallways. Blood rushed through me at a million miles an hour. Every step seemed to drain my hope and resolve. How to ditch her?
    Nothing came to me, and we didn’t speak until almost to the dressing room. I could only think about meeting the CMI. Three years. Three years I’d waited to meet a fellow entertainer. Would the CMI greet me as an equal? As a friend? Would I be able to articulate anything, or would my language skills go out the door in fan-boyish blubbering? Would I even get in without Mom messing things up?
    As we approached the door, she spoke.
    “Richie, it’s for your own good. You have no idea.”
    I almost gave a retort, but at the last moment I decided on a new tactic. Acting like I was giving in, and that it made me sad. Very, very sad. It might be my only chance.
    As I sighed and shook my head, we reached the door. I made sure to get there first, and grabbed the handle. I stood with my back to her, and let my shoulders slump. I sighed again.
    “I don’t get it,” I said. “Why can’t you just give me more information?”
    She rubbed my back reassuringly. “Richie, please just trust me for a few more years.”
    If I hadn’t been acting defeated, I would have gone ballistic at that. A few more years? A few more years? She might as well have said forever .
    “Can I just be alone for a minute?” I said. “I’m pretty nervous. I just want to think. Alone.”
    My heart thundered. This was it. Again.
    She patted my back. “Richie—”
    “Please, Mom. Just five minutes alone. So I can gather my thoughts.”
    She sighed and shook her head. “How can I leave you alone after the conversation we’ve just had?”
    I half-turned and gave her a desperate look. “Please, Mom. This is the biggest night of my life. Can’t I just be alone for five minutes before it starts? I’m not going to meet any fans. I promise. I was just messing with you.”
    She looked deep into my eyes, searching for lies. “No fans? You promise?”
    I turned the rest of the way and looked her in the eye. “I promise.”
    She caved. Her face softened with compassion. She shook her head as if she couldn’t believe what she was about to say.
    I held my breath.
    “Okay. Fine. Five minutes.”
    “Thanks, Mom.” My gratitude wasn’t even feigned.
    I started to pull the door open, but she stopped me. “Wait. Let me check in there.”
    My heart nearly stopped as she shouldered me aside, opened the door, and looked in the room. I stood there, eyes wide, blood frozen, waiting for her to spontaneously combust as she saw the CMI.
    But nodding, she backed out, holding the door open, motioning for me to go inside.
    “Five minutes,” she said.
    Disappointment filled me. The CMI hadn’t made it through Mom’s security.
    “Thank you,” I said, almost not hearing myself.
    I went inside, shut and locked the door behind me. The place