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 lady

I was going regardless

really blame Cassy

the past two years, she

one of the rare ones that actually listened when you tried to explain

knew she wouldn't purposefully try to put me in

dim-kee), here

trying to hand over

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

we have copy's

shaking the file for

do I thought to

couldn't hurt knowing about the people I'm

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

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

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

Mia come back, I

Cassy rushed out.

and watched as she pulled out an old brown, leathered journal,

my mom died, and I

way to cope

my deepest and darkest

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

I forgot that Mrs.

from me one night after

everywhere for it! I had just thought she

flipping through the pages for the only

along the old, dirty pages

Tears flooded my vision.

mother and I from when I was

thing I had of

"Thank you."

up Cassy,

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly at

gate

through the airport

"I better get going,"

my

care of yourself,

just nodded my head

care

my seat on the plane I'm pleased to

New York to Colorado takes

I and this window are going to