I wrap the hair tie one more time around my ponytail and pull to tighten it. I’m wearing a black T-shirt with the school logo on the front and a pair of black running shorts. I bought black knee-high socks and to complete the sporty look, I painted black lines under my eyes.

On the outside, I appear tough and ready for battle.

On the inside, I’m shaking like a leaf on a tree in the middle of winter, barely holding on.

I played soccer when I was a kid, but that’s nothing compared to a contact sport like dodgeball.

Could I have told Jaxon that I wasn’t going to play? Sure. I could get in my car right now and go home. Principals can’t force teachers to volunteer.

But that would make me appear weak. Afraid. I want Jaxon to know that I won’t cower, I won’t be bullied.

Plus, how could I pass up the chance to launch a ball at his stupid, handsome face?

Becca peeks in the back end of William’s diaper. “Again, dude? Seriously? Why don’t you ever poop when Daddy’s around?”

Mia stares up at me, pinching her nose with her tiny fingers. “He smells.”

I kneel in front of her. “When are you going to poop on the potty, little miss?”

She throws her hands in the air and screams, “Never!”

I laugh. “You tell Mommy that she may take your life, but she will never take your diapers!” I take off running down the hallway with Mia right behind me. “Freedom!”

“Not helping, Braveheart,” Becca calls.

Sure, that movie reference she gets.

When we get to the living room, I lift Mia and swing her in a circle before tossing her onto the couch. “Seriously, girl. What’s it gonna take for you to poop on the big girl potty?”

“I want a pony.”

I flop down next to her. “If you think William’s poop smells, wait until you smell the poop from a pony.” I wave my hand in front of my nose for effect.

“Eww.” She scrunches her nose. “I want a kitty instead.”

Now it’s my turn to scrunch my face in disgust. “Kitties are evil little creatures.”

Mia’s eyes are saucers. “Really?”

“It’s true. They’ll eat your body when you die in your apartment, single and alone. What kind of loyalty is that?”

Her bottom lip trembles. “I don’t want the kitty to eat me.”

“Thank you for the nightmares she’s going to have tonight,” Becca says, sitting on the recliner with a clean-bottomed William.

“She doesn’t want ponies or cats anymore, so I did you a solid.” I turn my attention back to the brown-eyed girl climbing into my lap. “What about toys, Mia? Anything you really want?”

“I want a pink Barbie car!”