The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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

Dear Mr. Garrett,
Your lovely wife Roberta and I were once classmates at St. Catherine’s Academy in Benicia, but we were never close girlfriends. I’ve been told you call her Bobbie, which I think is cute. I fondly remember the rose garden on the school grounds which are now part of the parking lot for Safeway. We chased each other around that area one day, much to the disapproval of one of the elderly nuns. I wonder if she remembers that time.
I moved from California during elementary school but have worked through the years to keep in touch with one of the classmates Roberta and I once shared in Benicia. She keeps me informed of the lives of classmates and what occurs in Benicia the best she can. She has some physical problems now, which restrict her movements some, but when she is walking with her husband they still hold hands. That is so nice.
I wish my husband and I still held hands and felt towards each other as we once did. We haven’t held hands in years. He has always been an attractive man and knows and uses all the graceful charms. As the years passed, and we started growing apart, he said I had changed, but I had merely gotten older as has he, though he won’t admit it. I love him just the same, but the love hurts because it isn’t returned. I believe in our wedding vows.
Our sons and daughters live nearby and no week goes by without at least one of them visiting. My husband and I make regular trips to the homes of each of them. Holidays rotate between the homes of each of us. It is so nice when all of us are together in the house my husband and I have shared for so many years. I wish it was like the homes our children share with their families.
I think at least one of our sons knows of some of what my husband has shown over the years. He started asking me about it one day, and then I think he got embarrassed and changed the subject.
I don’t think my husband will ever change. Perhaps some day he will once again love me in some way in which he doesn’t feel he now needs.
Please tell Roberta “Hello” and ask her if she remembers me from those years which seem so long ago. I lost all of my old school photos, but I remember that in one she and I stood near each other. If she is willing, I would like to build a connection with her. Though I was only in Benicia for a few years, they were some of my formative years. I still love Benicia and the memories made there.
(The lady asked me to not print her name.)

James Garrett is a life-long 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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