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

I was going regardless of my

really

the past two years, she has

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

knew she wouldn't purposefully try

MacDymke (mac dim-kee), here

to hand

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's back

file for me

I do I thought to

the people I'm

A18 to Colorado Springs will be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A

it be her that brought you to

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

Mia come back, I

Cassy rushed out.

around and watched as she pulled

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

a way to cope

book held some of my deepest

have any clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find your journal

I forgot that Mrs.

it from me one night after she caught me

for it! I had

through the pages for the only thing that made this journal worth

along the old, dirty pages

Tears flooded my vision.

photograph of my mother

thing I had

"Thank you."

Cassy,

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly

gate A18

through the airport speakers, startling

"I better get going,"

my

of yourself,

my

care

on the plane I'm pleased to see I have the

York to Colorado takes about four and

window are going to be well