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

much useless, I was going regardless of my thoughts and

really blame

years, she

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

try

dim-kee),

to hand

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's back at

the file

do

knowing about the people

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

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

and was about to walk away and go stand in the line for the Colorado

come

Cassy rushed out.

as she pulled out an old brown, leathered journal, my

mom died, and I was

way

some of my

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

I forgot that Mrs.

me one night after she caught me writing in

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

it, flipping through the pages for the only thing that made this journal worth

the old, dirty pages I

Tears flooded my vision.

mother and

was the last thing I had

"Thank you."

Cassy, fighting

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly at

minutes until gate A18 to

boomed through the

"I better get going,"

my

care of yourself,

nodded my head and

care of

plane I'm pleased to see I

that a nonstop flight from New York to

this window are going to be well