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.

knew some information about this lady before

much useless, I was going regardless of

really

years, she has

when you tried to explain what was happening

knew she wouldn't purposefully try to put me in harm's

(mac dim-kee), here

told me trying to hand over the

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's

file for me to

do I

hurt knowing about the

A18 to Colorado Springs will be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice said over

but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be her

about to walk away and go stand in the line for the Colorado flight when

come

Cassy rushed out.

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

started writing in it after my mom died, and I was placed

was a way

of my deepest and

belongings with you anymore.But I did find

I forgot that Mrs.

me one night after

for it! I had just thought she

quickly opened it, flipping through the pages for the only

dirty pages I

Tears flooded my vision.

a photograph of my mother and I from

the last thing I had

"Thank you."

up Cassy,

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

gate A18 to Colorado

through the

"I better get going,"

my voice cracked

of

just nodded my head and walked

care of

I'm pleased to see I have the window

a nonstop flight from New York to Colorado takes about

this window are