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.

information about

fighting was pretty much useless, I was going

can't really blame

the past two years, she has been

actually listened when you tried to explain what was happening

she wouldn't purposefully try to

MacDymke (mac dim-kee), here take

trying to hand over the

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

we have copy's back at

smiled, shaking the file for me to

mind if I do I thought to

the people I'm

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

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

head and was about to walk away and go stand

wait! Mia come

Cassy rushed out.

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

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

way to

of my

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

I forgot that Mrs.

it from me one night after she caught me

had just thought she

quickly opened it, flipping through the pages for the

old, dirty pages

Tears flooded my vision.

was a photograph of my mother and

was the last thing I had of

"Thank you."

looked up Cassy, fighting the

"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 cracked

care of

just nodded my head and

care

my seat on the plane I'm pleased

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

I and this window are going to