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.

least knew some information about this lady

useless, I was going regardless of

really blame Cassy

the past two years, she has been

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

wouldn't purposefully try to put me

(mac dim-kee),

me trying to

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's back at

shaking the file

do I thought

hurt knowing about the

be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice

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

my head and was about to walk away and go stand in the line for the Colorado flight when Cassy called

wait! Mia come back, I

Cassy rushed out.

she pulled out an

in it after my mom died, and

was a way to cope I

of my deepest and darkest feeling and

you don't have any clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha and

I forgot that Mrs.

me one night after

everywhere for it! I had just

flipping through the pages for the only thing

the old, dirty pages I

Tears flooded my vision.

a photograph of my mother and I from

the last thing I had of

"Thank you."

looked up Cassy, fighting

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

gate A18 to Colorado

announcement boomed through the airport speakers,

"I better get going,"

whispered, my voice

care of

nodded my

take care

plane I'm

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

this window are going to