A few months had passed since Julie and I started dating, and it soon became the talk at school. We pretty much figured that this would happen, but we really didn't care. Occasionally, we would hear people asked where Julie was from, and she would answer, "Grant Avenue," which just left them confused, me included. But in February, our teacher asked Julie to describe her hometown, and she got up in front of the class, and began to say: "They call it Grant Avenue, San Francisco, California, USA. Looks down from Chinatown over a foggy bay."
"What's it like there?" I asked.
"A western street with eastern manners, tall pagodas and golden banners throw their shadows through the lantern glows." Julie answered.
"What can you do there?" I asked.
"You can shop for precious jade or teak-wood tables or silk brocade or see a bold and brassy nightclub show on the most exciting thoroughfare I know." Julie answered. "Don't think too much on the nightclub show, it's actually worse down in Cannery Row."
"Anyway," The teacher said. "When can you eat there?"
"You can eat when you are in the mood, shark-fin soup, bean cake fish, and the girl who serves you all the food is another tasty dish." Julie answered. "By the way, I was joking about the girl who serves you all the food being another tasty dish."
There was little laughter; I was only who thought it was a little bit funny, which made it awkward.
"Anyway," Julie said, trying to get the eyes off of me. "You know you can't have a new way of living till you're living all the way on Grant Avenue."
"Where is that?" The class asked in unison. Not gonna lie, it was kind of bizarre.
"San Francisco, that's where's that! California, USA." Julie answered.
I could tell that she was getting annoyed, but luckily the bell rang to release us, and she was out of their faster than when I touched Boo Radley's house.
I would've normally went to practice, but Julie seemed to be bother about talking about her hometown, so I decided to skip practice just to make sure that she was alright.
"Julie…" I called out. She was sitting on the bench near the school entrance, and she seemed to be surprised about seeing me here.
"What are you doing here, Jem?!" Julie asked. You should be at football practice."
"I know, but I wanted to make sure you were alright." I said, sitting down right next to her.
"Well, I'm fine," Julie responded. "So go to practice before the coach kicks you off the team."
"Let him, you're all that matters to me right now." I rebutted.
"Are you trying to get yourself kick off the team, Jem?" Julie asked.
"Maybe…" I answered.
"Why?"
"I liked playing football at first, but now it's getting very dull to me now."
"Is it because of you started dating me?" Julie asked.
"Hell no!" I answered, loudly.
"Okay, okay, no need to yell, Jeremy." Julie said, serious. She would only use my real name on dates sometimes, or if she was about to get serious, but other than that, she usually referred me to Jem, and that was because she didn't want the town thinking we were engaged or something, which was fine with me. She liked both names and would call me either or depending on the situation.
"Sorry," I said, softly. "I just can't work with the team, they are all racist bigots, and I tried to tell them my opinion, but they are too damn thick to actually listen to me, and I would rather work with people that understood me, not with people who can't compromise and be wise."
Julie seemed to be happy that she wasn't the reason I was quitting football, and I was glad that she understood my point of view.
"Jeremy," Julie called. "When we get home, can you tell me that poem you wrote back in November?"
"Sure," I answered. "I was going to tell you today anyway."
Julie looked at me confused, and I just stood up and asked, "Do you know what today is?"
"Tuesday, February 8th." Julie answered.
"Do you know what else is today?" I asked.
"No clue…"
"It's my birthday," I said, smiling. "I'm 15 years old now."
"Oh my god!" Julie exclaimed. "Happy birthday, Jem!"
"Thanks Julie." I responded.
"I have something to give you actually." Julie said, reaching into her bag.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I remember you telling me in January that your favorite gemstone is an amethyst, so I decided to save up some money so I can give you this." Julie showed me a ring with an amethyst gemstone engraved in it.
"Glad you remembered," I said, taking the ring. "When's your birthday?"
"It's May 9th." Julie answered.
"I'll be sure to give you your birthstone for your birthday as well." I said, taking her hand.
"Thanks Jeremy…"