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.

information about this lady before

useless, I was

can't really

years,

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

she wouldn't purposefully try to

(mac dim-kee), here

trying to hand over the

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's

smiled, shaking the file for

do I

the people I'm about to

boarding in 20

to pick up from the airport, but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be her that brought you to the house.There

go stand in the

come

Cassy rushed out.

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

after my mom died,

was a way to

small book held some of my

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

I forgot that Mrs.

took it from me one night after she caught me

for it! I had just

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

the old, dirty pages I finally

Tears flooded my vision.

a photograph of my mother and I from when I

the last thing I

"Thank you."

looked up Cassy, fighting the tears

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly

until gate A18

through the airport speakers, startling

"I better get going,"

my

of yourself,

my head

take care of

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

York to Colorado takes about four

window are going to