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

fighting was pretty much useless, I was going regardless of my

really blame Cassy

years,

ones that actually listened when you tried to explain what was

knew she wouldn't purposefully try to

(mac dim-kee),

to

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

fine, we have copy's back

file for me

I do I thought to

the people

will be open for boarding in 20 minutes, A voice

but Mrs.MacDymke insisted it be her that brought you to

away and go stand in the line for the Colorado

come

Cassy rushed out.

she pulled out an old brown,

in it after my mom died, and

way to cope

held some of my deepest

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

I forgot that Mrs.

night after

everywhere for it! I had just thought she had

for the only

the old, dirty pages I finally

Tears flooded my vision.

photograph of my mother and I from when I

was the last thing I had

"Thank you."

Cassy,

"It's no problem, Mia."

wholeheartedly at

until gate

boomed through the airport speakers,

"I better get going,"

whispered, my voice

of yourself,

my head

care of

the plane I'm

to Colorado takes about four and a

and this window are going to be well