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 was going regardless of my

can't really

the past two years, she has

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

try to put me

MacDymke (mac dim-kee),

me trying to hand over

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

fine, we have copy's back at the

smiled, shaking the file for me

if I do I

the people I'm about

will be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice

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

go stand in the line for the Colorado flight

wait! Mia come back, I

Cassy rushed out.

as she pulled out an old brown, leathered journal,

after my mom died, and I was

a way to

held some of my deepest and

you don't have any clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find

I forgot that Mrs.

one night after

had just thought she had

quickly opened it, flipping through the pages for the

along the old, dirty pages I finally saw

Tears flooded my vision.

of my mother

last thing I

"Thank you."

looked up Cassy, fighting the tears

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

until gate A18 to

announcement boomed through the airport

"I better get going,"

my voice cracked

care of yourself,

nodded my

take care

finding my seat on the plane I'm pleased to see I have

nonstop flight from New York to Colorado takes about

are going to be well