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.

at least knew some information about this

useless, I was going regardless of my

really blame

years, she has been

that actually listened when you tried to

knew she wouldn't purposefully try to put me in harm's

(mac dim-kee), here take

me trying to hand over

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

fine, we have copy's

smiled, shaking the file

I do

hurt knowing about the

open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice

it

stand in the

wait! Mia come back, I almost

Cassy rushed out.

she pulled out

my mom died, and I was placed in my first foster

was a way

my deepest and darkest feeling and

anymore.But I did find your journal

I forgot that Mrs.

from me one night after

everywhere for it! I had just thought she had

through the pages for the only thing that

the old, dirty

Tears flooded my vision.

was a photograph of my mother and I from when I was

the last thing I had of

"Thank you."

Cassy,

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly at

minutes until gate A18 to

boomed through the airport speakers,

"I better get going,"

my voice cracked

of yourself,

nodded my head

take care

my seat on the plane I'm pleased to see I have the window

York to Colorado takes

are