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.

some information about this

was going regardless of my thoughts

really

the past two years, she has been

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

she wouldn't purposefully try to

MacDymke (mac dim-kee), here

told me trying to hand over the

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

have copy's

smiled, shaking the file

do

couldn't hurt knowing about the

will be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice said over

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

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

come back, I

Cassy rushed out.

watched as she pulled out an old brown, leathered

in it after my mom died, and I was placed in my first

way to

my deepest and darkest feeling

or belongings with you anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha and Jame's

I forgot that Mrs.

took it from me one night after she caught me writing

looked everywhere for it! I had just thought she had thrown

through the pages for the only thing that made

dirty pages

Tears flooded my vision.

of my mother and I from when I was

was the last thing

"Thank you."

Cassy, fighting the

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly at

gate

through the airport

"I better get going,"

my

care of yourself,

just nodded my head and walked

take care of

plane I'm pleased to see I

to Colorado takes about four and a half to

are going to be well