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

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

can't really blame

years, she has been my

that actually listened when you tried to

try to put

dim-kee),

me trying to

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's back at

the file for me

mind if I do I thought

the

for boarding in 20

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

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

come

Cassy rushed out.

around and watched as she pulled out an old brown,

mom died, and I was placed in

was a way to cope I

book held some of my

you anymore.But I did find your journal in

I forgot that Mrs.

from me one night

had just thought she had thrown it

the pages for

along the old, dirty pages I

Tears flooded my vision.

photograph of my mother and I from when I

thing I had

"Thank you."

Cassy, fighting

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

gate A18 to

the airport speakers, startling

"I better get going,"

whispered, my

of yourself,

my head

care

the plane I'm pleased

nonstop flight from New York to Colorado takes

I and this window are going to