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.

information about this lady

fighting was pretty much useless, I was going regardless of

really blame Cassy

the past two years,

was one of the rare ones that actually listened when you

purposefully try to put me in

(mac dim-kee),

to hand over the

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's back at the

the file

do I

hurt knowing about the

will be open for boarding in

the airport, but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be her that brought you to the house.There is

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

come back,

Cassy rushed out.

pulled out an

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

a way to cope

some of my deepest

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

I forgot that Mrs.

took it from me one night after she

it! I had just thought she had

it, flipping through the pages for

the old, dirty pages

Tears flooded my vision.

was a photograph of my mother and I from

thing I had

"Thank you."

up Cassy,

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly

gate A18

through the

"I better get going,"

whispered, my voice cracked

care of yourself,

my

care of

plane I'm pleased to see I have

from New York to Colorado takes

window are going to