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 about

much useless, I was going regardless

really blame Cassy

past two years, she has

actually listened when you tried to explain what was happening in

wouldn't purposefully try to put me

(mac dim-kee), here

me trying to hand over the

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

have copy's back at

shaking the file for

I do

knowing about the people I'm

open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice said over

worker was going to pick up from the airport, but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be her that brought you to the house.There is a picture of her

head and was about to walk away and go stand

wait! Mia come back,

Cassy rushed out.

around and watched as she pulled out an

died, and I was placed in

was a way to cope

small book held some of my deepest and darkest feeling

know you don't have any clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha and Jame's room.I thought

I forgot that Mrs.

took it from me one night

everywhere for it! I had just thought she had

opened it, flipping through the pages for the only

old, dirty pages

Tears flooded my vision.

was a photograph of my mother

thing

"Thank you."

looked up Cassy, fighting the

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

gate A18 to

through the airport

"I better get going,"

whispered, my

of yourself,

just nodded my head and

care

seat on the plane I'm pleased to see

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

and this window are going