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.

least knew some information about this lady before I

was going

can't really blame Cassy

two years, she has been my

the rare ones that actually listened when you tried

wouldn't purposefully try to

dim-kee),

told me trying to hand over

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's

the file for

if I do I thought

about the people

Springs will be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice said over the

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

about to walk away and go stand in the line for the Colorado flight when Cassy called

Mia come back, I

Cassy rushed out.

watched as she pulled out

my mom died, and I was

a way to cope

small book held some of my deepest and darkest

you don't have any clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha and Jame's room.I thought you'd want

I forgot that Mrs.

one night after she caught me writing

had just thought she had

the pages for the only thing

along the old, dirty

Tears flooded my vision.

a photograph of my mother and I from when I was

was the last thing I had of

"Thank you."

up Cassy,

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly

gate

boomed through the

"I better get going,"

whispered, my

care of

nodded my head and walked

take care

seat on the plane I'm

York to Colorado takes about four and a half to five

I and this window are going to