The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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 5: Evening Walks

Dear Mr. Garrett,
A love about Benicia which in a way I miss, and which in another way I will never lose, are the walks in the evening with my wife, our son, and our dog.
Our son outgrew the walks as young people will. He had more and more school responsibilities, sports, and social gatherings enter his life as he got older. He followed those paths as he should, but he still walked with my wife, our dog, and me a few times over the years when he came back from college or was on leave from the Army. When he got married his participation in the walks ended. He had responsibilities to fulfill and has always done them well.
For a few years after our son no longer walked with us our dog kept her pace by our side. We each especially enjoyed walking by Sanborn Field. During part of the year youth football teams were practicing there. Parents, some of whom had been our classmates, sat in their cars and watched the practices as they waited for them to end so they could take their aspiring All-Americans home.
Along the way on the walks we would reinforce training with our dog by having her “stay” and “come” by voice and hand signal commands. As time passed it did to her what it does to every living thing. She got older and feebler. One evening she was having a harder time walking than normal for that age in her life. The last few blocks were uphill. As she continued to labor in her efforts I decided to carry her the remainder of the way. She was 90 pounds of love and had protected us and been our friend for years. She was wounded with age, she was our friend, and it was our duty and honor to care for her. She licked my face when I picked her up. I was puffing when we got home, but she licked my face when I stepped onto our driveway. When I sat her down on the rug in front of the fireplace she licked my face again. As I pulled back she looked up at me for a moment, shut her eyes, and laid her head on the rug. Our friend of many years had passed to another place. There was no pain there.
The time came when the walks in the evening were by only my wife and me. Our son had moved on following the path of his journey as he should. Our dog died and over her dropped many tears.
My wife and I seldom walk in the evenings anymore. Daytime walks are best for us. I know our dog walks to my left as my wife and I take the steps on our walks. Her ears are erect, she occasionally nuzzles my leg, and is ready for any command I might give her as she sniffs the aromas of Benicia.
Bud

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.

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