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.

some information

I was going regardless

can't really

years, she has

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

she wouldn't purposefully try

MacDymke (mac dim-kee), here

trying to hand over the

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's back

shaking the file

if I do I thought to

the people I'm about to

for boarding in

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 her in the

and go stand in the line

wait! Mia come

Cassy rushed out.

watched as she pulled out

in it after my mom died, and I was

a way

small book held some of my deepest and darkest feeling

you anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha and

I forgot that Mrs.

night after she caught me

I had just thought she

the pages for the only

old, dirty

Tears flooded my vision.

my mother and

thing I

"Thank you."

Cassy,

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

until gate A18 to Colorado

announcement boomed through the airport speakers, startling

"I better get going,"

whispered, my voice

of yourself,

just nodded my head and walked

care of

plane I'm pleased

York to Colorado

I and this window are