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

was pretty much useless, I was going

can't really blame Cassy

two years, she has

when you tried to explain

knew she wouldn't purposefully try to put me in

dim-kee),

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 me

if I do

knowing about the people I'm about

boarding

was going to pick up from the airport, but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be her that brought

and go stand in the line for the Colorado flight

wait! Mia come

Cassy rushed out.

watched as she pulled

died, and I was

was a way

of my deepest and darkest feeling

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

I forgot that Mrs.

night after she caught me

I had just thought she

the pages for the only thing that made this journal worth

the old, dirty pages I finally

Tears flooded my vision.

my mother and I from when

thing I had of

"Thank you."

Cassy, fighting the

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly

minutes until gate A18 to

through the

"I better get going,"

whispered, my voice

care of yourself,

just nodded my

take care

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

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

window are going to