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 before

much useless, I was going

really blame

two years, she has been my

that actually listened when you tried to explain what was

wouldn't purposefully try to put me in

dim-kee),

trying to hand over

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's

shaking the file for me to

I do I

knowing about the

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

it be her that brought you to

and go stand in the line

wait! Mia come back, I almost

Cassy rushed out.

and watched as she pulled out an old brown,

my mom died, and I was placed in my

way to cope I

of my deepest

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

I forgot that Mrs.

me one night after she caught

looked everywhere for it! I had just thought

through the pages for the

old, dirty pages I finally

Tears flooded my vision.

mother

thing

"Thank you."

looked up Cassy,

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly

gate A18

announcement boomed through the airport

"I better get going,"

my voice cracked

of

nodded my

care of

the plane I'm

that a nonstop flight from New York to Colorado takes about four and a half to five

window are going