Gem is a young woman in her early 20s. In the opening of the scene, she is frantically preparing lunch for her niece Opal. In this moment we don't realize exactly who Opal is or what her story is, but we know that she is very important to her. Gem spent all of her childhood as a gymnast. She was a member of the most elite gymnastics training facility in the city, one of those places that mothers would kill to get their daughters into. She practiced day and night, and her goal was to get a scholarship to college in gymnastics. Unfortunately, all of that changed when her sister Jules who always supported her from the sidelines came to visit her at the gym. After staying on the mat longer than anticipated Gem goes to look for her sister and finds her in the team trainer's office. This is a story of accepting the things that you believe you see even if they make you do a double take. It is also a story of finding the courage to stand up with the people that you love no matter how difficult it is while not realizing that all of our decisions come with repercussions. A predator goes to trial for the things that he did to so many girls, as Jules testifies and carries a baby that she cannot find the words to speak about. Gem must support her sister in telling the most difficult story of her life and soon finds her new home in raising her niece Opal in such a way that her sister would be proud.
Life's Most Precious Jewel
“Come on Opal, if you make me late for school again, I’ll leave you. I promise I will.” (She laughs, aside) Now, that child knows that I will not leave her, but the threat makes her move that much faster every time. (she listens for footsteps, smiles) Works like a charm. (Hearing her feet scurry on the hardwood floor.) I am never late. (Beat) Never… late. (She takes a deep breath then shakes it off, finishes the lunch and grabs her bag. To the audience.) It's always interesting when I think about how embedded it is in my mind that I will never be late. It wasn't something that I learned from my parents; it wasn't something that I learned at church it was sports. We all get our discipline from different places and my parents supported every decision that I made when it came to the sports and activities that I wanted to play but they didn't see it, and I didn't tell them. (Looks at her watch, there is something deeper there.) “Opal, now!” (Opal arrives, she gives her the lunch box, kisses her forehead, and leads her out of the door. To the audience.) Off to school.