My mother sat my cousin Robert on the couch. "I was just going to tell Emily about the first pair of balls I popped," she said, giving a wide grin. "Your mother must have told you about my reputation...

This happened the day after I helped my classmate pop a bully's balls (link to story). I was telling my mother about how my classmate had completely transformed after popping balls. "Good for her!" said my mother. "I'm proud of you...