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

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

can't really blame

years, she has been my

of the rare ones that actually listened when you tried to explain what

try to put me in harm's

dim-kee), here take

trying to hand over the

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

we have copy's back at

smiled, shaking the file for me to

if I do I thought

the people I'm about

will be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice

the airport, but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be her that brought you

stand in the line for the Colorado flight

come back,

Cassy rushed out.

and watched as she pulled out an

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

way to cope I

of my deepest and

you don't have any clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha and

I forgot that Mrs.

me one night after

had just thought she had thrown

the pages for the only thing

the old, dirty

Tears flooded my vision.

my mother and I from when

last thing I

"Thank you."

up Cassy, fighting the

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly at

until gate A18 to Colorado

boomed through the airport speakers, startling

"I better get going,"

my voice

care of

my

care

the plane I'm pleased to see I have the

from New York to Colorado takes about

I and this window are going to