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

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

can't really blame

the past two years, she

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

purposefully try to put me in harm's

dim-kee),

me trying to hand over

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

fine, we have copy's back at

smiled, shaking the file for me to

if I do I thought

knowing about the people

for boarding in

but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it

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

Mia come back,

Cassy rushed out.

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

started writing in it after my mom died,

a way

my deepest and darkest feeling and

anymore.But I did find your journal

I forgot that Mrs.

me one night

everywhere for it! I had just thought she

pages for

the old, dirty pages I finally

Tears flooded my vision.

of my mother and I from when I was

the last thing I

"Thank you."

looked up Cassy, fighting the

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly

gate

announcement boomed through the airport speakers, startling

"I better get going,"

my

care of yourself,

nodded my

care

on the plane I'm pleased

York to

window are