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.

knew some information

useless, I was going regardless of

can't really

the past two years, she has been

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

purposefully try

(mac dim-kee), here take

to

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's back at the

file for me to

do I thought to

knowing about the people

Colorado Springs will be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice

it be her that brought

head and was about to walk away and go stand in the line for the Colorado flight when

wait! Mia come back, I almost

Cassy rushed out.

and watched as she pulled out an old brown, leathered journal,

in it after my mom died, and I

a way to cope I

my deepest and darkest feeling

with you anymore.But I did find your

I forgot that Mrs.

took it from me one night after she caught me writing in

everywhere for it! I had just thought she had thrown it

pages for the only thing

along the old, dirty

Tears flooded my vision.

was a photograph of my mother and

the last thing I

"Thank you."

looked up Cassy, fighting the

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly

gate A18

boomed through the

"I better get going,"

whispered, my

of yourself,

just nodded my head and

take care

the plane I'm pleased to see I have the

flight from New York to Colorado takes about four and a

window are going to be