The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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.

Letter 11: Bike Polo

Mr. Garrett,
For many years when I was a boy my family lived on the original Larkin Drive here in town. That street was part of the housing complex the federal government built in Benicia for workers during World War II. The street looped around to join up with East Fifth Street where a small convenience market is now and farther up that street. My father worked for the housing administration.
Sharon lived up the street from us. She was the cutest girl I’d ever seen. We met during the summer on a concrete play area in the project shortly after her family moved into the neighborhood. She was riding her bike on one of the two concrete play areas and I was riding mine on the other.
As usual, some other boys showed up and all of us guys started playing “bike polo” on the upper concrete area. Like the other guys I brought my bat, glove, and a ball thinking whoever showed up that day might play baseball on the field below the concrete play area.
I kept looking at Sharon and wasn’t paying enough attention to the “bike polo” game. The other guys started giving me a bad time, saying things like I had a girlfriend.
The game was going as strong as young boys play a game. I came charging up on the ball on my trusty “polo pony”. I guess it looked like an easy hit or I was trying to impress Sharon, I don’t know for certain.
I do know for certain what happened when I leaned over and hit the ball with my bat. I turned the handlebars which of course turned the wheel. I gave the bat a good swing and it went into the front spokes. It got jammed between the fork and the spokes and stopped that front wheel instantly. I went flying. All I needed to be Superman was a cape.
Sharon came over and asked if I was OK. I may be dumb now, but I wasn’t at that moment. I worked it for all I could, but eventually she had to go home. The next day after school I walked up to the play area. My father hadn’t had time yet to show me how to fix my bike. Sharon arrived a little after me, and we sat and talked. Later we held hands. Still later I walked Sharon home while pushing her bicycle.
Sharon was my off-and-on hand holder until high school. We had our ups and downs like all kids. When we got to Benicia High School she became my only hand holder. We’ve been married for over 45 years. Neither of us rides bikes anymore, except for the exercise bike, so I don’t play “bike polo” either. But if I ever get an annoyance to my aging body Sharon still asks, “Are you OK?” Then, if I’m not she heals me with her words and touch. I love Sharon.
Ted

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 entitled “The Golden Era: Benicia High School Football, The 1948 through 1960 Seasons, “A” History with Comments.” He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

Sharing is caring!