The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”. He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett’s first novel “Benicia and Letters of Love”. Each “letter” tells of love in one of its many forms from a separate point of view. Benicia is represented prominently in the letters because of Garrett’s deep fondness for the city of Benicia. He hopes readers see themselves or others they know in the letters because the concept of “Love” is universal.

Hello,
Once there was a lady who spent many hours on First Street for a short time. She educated some young lads and just did it for fun, she never charged. It was funny when one of the guys she educated said he was in love with her. For the definition of the time for a teenage boy it was love because he didn’t know anything different.
At the time some of those boys really thought they were in love. Some of those boys later married local girls and some married girls from other places. Some of them live in Benicia now and some left never to return.
The lady lived near First Street. Sometimes she would sit in her car down by the beach at the end of the street. Sometimes she would take many minutes looking in store fronts. Most of those times she must have been waiting to see what male would talk with her. From all that happened in a few short months I don’t see how it could be anything else.
Some of the guys she met when she was walking or sitting in her car went to her apartment. Those were the ones who did the bragging. I can understand that. They were boys she made feel important for a short time.
I felt sorry for her. She was obviously hurting for someone or something. The guys who took advantage of what she offered didn’t care, and I think she didn’t care at the time either. She obviously went looking for what she found, but there had to be a reason.
I don’t know exactly when the lady appeared in town. She may have been here for months before I met her. Within a year I didn’t see her any more. As active I am around Benicia, and as small a community as it really is, I would have seen her sometime since I saw her last.
The woman was very attractive and must have loved and been hurt by that love. Perhaps she discovered love again in Benicia. I hope that was the case or that she found it wherever she went.
She was very attractive.
Jared

James Garrett is a lifelong resident of Benicia and a former teacher at Benicia High School. He is the author of the following novels: “Benicia and Letters of Love,” “The Mansion Stories,” “Chief Salt,” and “One Great Season, 9-0!” He also compiled a three-volume work titled “The Golden Era: Benicia High School Football, The 1948 through 1960 Seasons, “A” History with Comments.”
He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

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