My "Life" Story Pt 3

Take Flight: 

I vaguely remember what my first foster family looked like. I remember being told I was going to stay with them until they could contact my family. I remained in their home for about a week, until they could track down my mother.  Everything was a blur. I felt like I was living in a movie, similar to that of Groundhog Day. Everything was on repeat. I didn't know what was real, and what was a dream. It all happened so fast after my trip to the Police Station. My physical being was being moved wherever CPS needed it to go, and my brain was like Dial up. Frustrating to say the least.

My childhood that was once considered "normal" to me was now shattered into a million pieces. I had to start over. No... I was abruptly forced to. I no longer had the innocence that comes naturally with being a kid. It was taken from me. Through all of it, what hurt me the most was the fact that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to my friends. I was never able to tell Abbi and Chelsea just how sorry I was for all that had happened, and I never got to thank them for going first and doing what took me longer and sadly, more convincing to do. It was all I could think about, on repeat. My mind wouldn't stop replaying it all. Were they okay? What is going to become of their lives from this?  This is somehow my fault...

"Alright sweetheart, this is your boarding pass, don't lose it. This is where I have to say my goodbyes, and now this nice lady in blue will be with you the rest of the way! She will take it from here. You are so brave, and I'm so proud of you." She hugged me as tears welled up in her eyes.

I was getting tired of hearing how "brave" I was. I didn't feel brave. I felt sick. I was scared, and I was madder than hell. Why was I even getting on a plane, and where was I headed? The red lipstick lady was very nice, and I didn't want her to go. I was just starting to feel safe again, she was the only face I knew. 

"Now boarding, flight 92 to Denver, Colorado! Please have your ID and boarding pa...." I tune the man out. 

Well, I guess that answered that. I was headed to Colorado. 

I followed the new lady in blue, as she escorted me to my seat.  It was the very first row right at the entrance of the plane, as you pass the giant door. Right next to the bathroom and the cockpit, the flight attendants and pilots greeted me. I got the whole row to myself. I was the only kid flying alone. Unfortunately, I didn't come with a family nor was I going on a nice vacation. All I had with me was my backpack, the clothes I was wearing, and my teddy bear.  I watched as others boarded, and took their seats. I had never flown on a plane before. My nerves were pretty much in a state of shock since the Police Station visit, so to say I felt every emotion there was to feel was an understatement. I buckled up, followed the instructions given, and barely listened as the flight attendants told me what to do in the event of an emergency, followed by strange hand motions. We started to move; I looked out my window just taking in everything I saw and heard. My heart raced again. I watched as another plane took off, and began to shut out the noise. 

This was it. No turning back now. What's in store for me? What's next? I barely even knew my mother. Will I get my own room? Is it cold in Colorado? How long is this flight going to take? My mind flooded with questions. I was exhausted. I felt the plane start to lift, and watched as the ground below me got farther away. My eyelids were heavy, and my stomach felt funny the higher we went. I closed my window shade, squeezed tightly to my teddy, closed my eyes, and drifted into a deep, much needed sleep...