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 lady before I

fighting was pretty much useless, I was going

can't really blame Cassy

past two years, she has been

when you

purposefully try to

(mac dim-kee),

trying to

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

fine, we have copy's

smiled, shaking the file for me

mind if I do I thought

hurt knowing about the people I'm about

to Colorado Springs will be open for boarding in 20

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

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

wait! Mia come back, I almost

Cassy rushed out.

she pulled out an

died, and I was placed

was a way

book held some of my deepest and darkest feeling and

clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha and

I forgot that Mrs.

it from me one night after she caught me writing in

had

opened it, flipping through the pages for the only thing

old, dirty pages

Tears flooded my vision.

a photograph of my mother and I from when I

was the last thing I had

"Thank you."

Cassy, fighting the tears

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly at

minutes until gate

the airport speakers,

"I better get going,"

my voice cracked

care of yourself,

just nodded my

take care of

on the plane I'm pleased to see I have

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

and this window are going to