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

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

really blame

the past two years,

rare ones that actually listened when you tried to explain what

try to

MacDymke (mac dim-kee),

trying to hand over

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

we have copy's back

file

mind if I do

the people I'm about

boarding in

social worker was going to pick up from the airport, but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be her

away and go stand in the

Mia come

Cassy rushed out.

she pulled out an old brown,

in it after my mom died,

way to cope I

book held some of my deepest and

any clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha and Jame's

I forgot that Mrs.

me one night after

I had

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

old, dirty

Tears flooded my vision.

of my mother and I from when I

last thing I

"Thank you."

looked up Cassy, fighting

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly at

minutes until gate A18 to

through the airport

"I better get going,"

whispered, my voice

care of yourself,

nodded my head

care of

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

to Colorado takes about four and a

are