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.

knew some information about this

was going regardless of

really blame Cassy

years, she

ones that actually listened when

purposefully try to put

MacDymke (mac dim-kee), here take

told me trying to hand over

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

we have copy's back

file

mind if I do

knowing about the people

open for boarding in 20

worker was going to pick up from the airport, but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be her that brought you to the house.There is a picture of

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

Mia come back, I almost

Cassy rushed out.

and watched as she pulled out an old brown,

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

way

some of my deepest and darkest feeling

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

I forgot that Mrs.

one night after she caught

everywhere for it! I had

opened it, flipping through the pages for the only thing that made this

along the old, dirty pages I finally saw

Tears flooded my vision.

mother and I from when I

was the last thing I

"Thank you."

Cassy, fighting the tears

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

minutes until gate

the

"I better get going,"

my voice

care of yourself,

nodded my head and

take care

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

New York to Colorado takes about four and a half to

window are going to