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

pretty much useless, I was going

can't really blame Cassy

past two years,

actually listened when

wouldn't purposefully try to put me

(mac dim-kee), here

trying to

"Don't you need this?"

I watched her confused.

we have copy's back

the file for me to

I do I thought to

hurt knowing about the people

boarding in 20 minutes, A

it be her that brought you to the house.There

my head and was about to walk away and go stand in the line for the Colorado flight when Cassy called

wait! Mia come

Cassy rushed out.

she pulled out an old brown, leathered journal, my

my mom died, and I was placed in my

way to

some of my deepest

I did find

I forgot that Mrs.

night after

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

opened it, flipping through the pages for

old, dirty pages

Tears flooded my vision.

photograph of my mother and I

last thing

"Thank you."

Cassy, fighting the

"It's no problem, Mia."

smiled wholeheartedly at

until gate A18 to

through the airport

"I better get going,"

my voice cracked

of yourself,

nodded my head and walked

take care of

I'm pleased to see I have the

New York to Colorado takes about four and a half

I and this window are going to