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.

should at least knew some information about this lady

fighting was pretty much useless, I was going regardless of my thoughts

really blame

past two years, she has been

listened when you tried to explain

knew she wouldn't purposefully try to put me in

MacDymke (mac dim-kee), here take

trying to hand over the

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

we have copy's

file

I do I thought

the people I'm about to

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

it be her that brought you to the house.There is a picture of

stand in the

come back, I almost

Cassy rushed out.

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

it after my mom died, and I was placed

way

book held some of my deepest and darkest feeling and

anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha and Jame's room.I thought

I forgot that Mrs.

from me one night after she caught me writing

looked everywhere for it! I had just thought

it, flipping through the pages for the only thing that made

along the old, dirty pages I finally

Tears flooded my vision.

was a photograph of my mother and

was the last thing

"Thank you."

Cassy, fighting the

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

gate A18 to

announcement boomed through the

"I better get going,"

whispered, my voice cracked

care of yourself,

my head and

take care

I'm pleased to

nonstop flight from New York to Colorado takes about four

are going to be well