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.

should at least knew some information about

pretty much useless, I was going

really blame Cassy

the past two years, she has been my

was one of the rare ones that actually listened when you tried

purposefully try to put

(mac dim-kee),

told me trying to hand

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

fine, we have copy's back at the

shaking the file for

I do I thought to

knowing about the

for boarding

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

my head and was about to walk away and go stand

Mia come

Cassy rushed out.

watched as she pulled out

mom died, and I was placed in my first foster

way to

of my deepest and

have any clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find your journal in Martha and Jame's room.I thought

I forgot that Mrs.

night

had just thought she had

through the pages for the

old, dirty pages

Tears flooded my vision.

photograph of my mother and I from when I was

was the last thing I had

"Thank you."

Cassy,

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly

until gate A18

announcement boomed through the

"I better get going,"

my voice

of

nodded my head and walked

take care of

on the plane I'm pleased

New York to Colorado takes about four and

and this window are