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

I was going regardless of my thoughts

really blame

two years, she

listened when you tried to

try to put me in

(mac dim-kee), here

me trying to hand

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

fine, we have copy's back

file for

do I

hurt knowing about the people I'm about to

A18 to Colorado Springs will be open for boarding in 20 minutes,

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

walk away and go stand

wait! Mia come back, I

Cassy rushed out.

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

mom died, and I was

was a way to cope I

held some of my deepest and darkest feeling and

you anymore.But I did find your journal

I forgot that Mrs.

night after she caught

it! I had just

through the pages for the only

the old, dirty pages I

Tears flooded my vision.

a photograph of my mother and I from

thing I

"Thank you."

looked up Cassy, fighting the

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly

gate A18 to Colorado

announcement boomed through the airport

"I better get going,"

whispered, my voice

care of yourself,

my head and

care

the plane I'm pleased to see I have the window

to Colorado takes about four and a

window are