Mated With Five Boys

"When you can no longer think of a reason to continue, you must think of a reason to start over." - Linda Poindexter

”Okay, here's your plane ticket.It's a one way, nonstop flight."

Cassy, my social worker, said handing me the ticket.

"Wait, I'm traveling by myself? Is that even legal?" l asked confused.

"You're 17 Mia, in a few months, you'll be 18.It's not illegal for you to ride ona plane by yourself"

She explained to me.

"Where am I going exactly?"

I asked her, looking down at the piece of paper.

I've been in and out fosters homes for the past ten years and never had I have to fly on a plane before.

"Colorado."She smiled lightly.

"COLORADO?"I practically yelled, shocked.

That's halfway across the country! "Why am I being shipped off to Colorado?"

I continue, looking up at Cassy.

Silently praying she'll reconsider.

"There are plenty of foster homes here, in Manhattan,’ I argued, not giving her a chance to speak.

"You'll be going to a great home Mia,’ She looked down at me sadly.

What am I? Some kind of homeless dog? I don't care about going to a "great home’ I just wanted to go somewhere I wouldn't get beat for breaking some impossible rule that a foster person had set.

"Yeah, that's what you said the day before you put me in the Rockwell's house."

I laughed sarcastically.

The sad expression on her face instantly made me regret what I said.

I might not be able to control how people treat me, but I could control the way I treat them.

And honestly, if I set out just to hurt others, how does that make me any better than the Rockwells' or any other crude person? "Look, Mia, I'm sorry.

I don't have very much say as to where you're placed, however, all things considered, the house you're going to is for kids your age.

The woman you're going to has never been in jail, nor have any of the kids been reported with cuts or bruises."

She said trying to convince me that this family would be different from all the rest.

"What's her name?"

I sighed in defeat.

at least knew some information

much useless, I was going regardless of my

can't really

the past two years, she has

rare ones that actually listened when you tried to explain what was happening in the foster

she wouldn't purposefully try

(mac dim-kee), here take

trying to hand over the

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

fine, we have copy's

file for me

mind if I do

hurt knowing about the people

will be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice said over the

airport, but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be her that brought you

away and go stand in the line for the Colorado flight when Cassy called after

wait! Mia come

Cassy rushed out.

back around and watched as she pulled out an

started writing in it after my mom died, and I was placed in my first foster

a way to

held some of my deepest and darkest feeling

any clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha

I forgot that Mrs.

one night after she caught me writing in

for it! I had just thought she had thrown

through the pages for the only thing that made this journal worth

along the old, dirty pages I finally saw

Tears flooded my vision.

photograph of my mother and I from when I

the last thing

"Thank you."

up Cassy, fighting the tears

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly at

minutes until gate A18 to Colorado

boomed through the airport speakers, startling

"I better get going,"

whispered, my voice cracked

of

nodded my

take care

my seat on the plane I'm pleased

a nonstop flight from New York to Colorado takes about four and a half to

I and this window are going to be