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.

some information about this lady before I

I was going regardless of my

can't really blame Cassy

two years, she has been my

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

wouldn't purposefully try to put me in harm's

dim-kee), here take

trying to hand over

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

have copy's back at

shaking the file for me

mind if I do I thought

knowing about the people I'm

A18 to Colorado Springs will be open for boarding in

to pick up from the airport, but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it

away and go stand in

Mia come

Cassy rushed out.

she pulled out an old brown,

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

way to cope

book held some of my deepest and darkest feeling and

anymore.But I did find your journal in

I forgot that Mrs.

me one night after she caught me writing in

I had

pages for the only thing that made this

along the old, dirty

Tears flooded my vision.

was a photograph of my mother and I from when

thing I had of

"Thank you."

up Cassy, fighting the tears

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

gate A18

boomed through the airport speakers, startling

"I better get going,"

whispered, my voice cracked

care of

my head and walked

care

I'm pleased to see

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

I and this window are going