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 this lady before I

was pretty much useless, I was going

really

past two years, she has been my

when you

she wouldn't purposefully try

MacDymke (mac dim-kee), here take

trying to hand over

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

copy's

the file

mind if I do I

hurt knowing about the people I'm

be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice said over

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

to walk away and go stand in the line

wait! Mia come

Cassy rushed out.

pulled out

my mom died, and I was placed in my first

a way

some of my deepest and darkest feeling

I did

I forgot that Mrs.

it from me one night after

it! I had just thought

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

old, dirty pages I finally

Tears flooded my vision.

mother and I from when

the last thing I had

"Thank you."

Cassy, fighting

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly

gate A18 to Colorado

the airport

"I better get going,"

my

care of yourself,

my head and

care of

on the plane I'm pleased to see

to Colorado takes about four and

I and this window are going to be