The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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

Mr. Garrett,
You’ve probably heard this kind of story many times before from teaching at Benicia High School. I was one of those girls to whom it happened.
No Name and I were seniors. I started liking him when we were sophomores, but we didn’t date until toward the end of our junior year. That summer, and later, we spent a lot of time together. As it turned out we spent too much time together. I had my doubts at times if everything we did was right, but he said he loved me, and at that time I thought I loved him. That made the sex closeness for me. It took me some time, and talk with my best friend, to understand that though I know No Name liked me, and liked being with me, what he wanted at that time in his life was sex.
It came to a bitter break-up at the end of the G-Wing by the quad. A lot of kids passed by as we stood there talking. Towards the end we were yelling at each other. He called me a name and I told him all he wanted was sex. Those weren’t the exact words, but you understand the point.
I really liked No Name, and I know he really liked me. It has been almost 25 years since we broke up and I still believe we liked each other.
By the end of our senior year he had been linked with two other girls that I absolutely know about for a fact, and he was rumored to have been involved with some others. I didn’t go out with anyone the remainder of that year.
No Name was a good athlete and popular. He went on to college and now works in an office. I went to college and operate my own business.
I sometimes wonder if having sex with him when I did in reality ended any future we could have had together. Maybe if I hadn’t we would be together now. I think I’m happy now and I hope No Name is too. We each are married and have children.
I placed the son No Name and I share up for adoption. I’ve never seen him since shortly after his birth. I don’t know if No Name ever saw him. I don’t ask when happenstance brings No Name and me to exchange social “Hellos”.
(No Name Too)

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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