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 this

pretty much useless, I was going

really blame

the past two years, she has been my

when you tried to explain

knew she wouldn't purposefully try to

MacDymke (mac dim-kee),

trying to hand

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

we have copy's back

smiled, shaking the file

if I do

the people I'm

A18 to Colorado Springs will be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A

airport, but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be

and go stand in the line for the

come back, I almost

Cassy rushed out.

watched as she pulled out

after my mom died,

a way to cope I

book held some of my deepest and darkest feeling and

you don't have any clothes or belongings with you anymore.But I did find

I forgot that Mrs.

it from me one night after she

I had just thought she had thrown

opened it, flipping through the pages for

dirty pages I

Tears flooded my vision.

mother and I from when I was

the last thing I had of

"Thank you."

Cassy, fighting

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

gate A18 to Colorado

boomed through the airport speakers, startling

"I better get going,"

my voice cracked

care of yourself,

nodded my head and walked

care

on the plane I'm pleased to see I have

York to Colorado takes about four and

are