The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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,
For years I’ve worked with young people. Part of that time has been in Benicia. I drive to and from that small town I’ve grown to love a few times each week. If economics were different, my best friend and I would have moved there long ago.
I’m sitting in my home writing this because of something which was finally revealed to me today.
There was a multi-overnight activity by a group from Benicia years ago. During that trip the “star” senior boy broke a junior girl’s heart. She gave him her virginity the second night of the trip. It never should have happened, but perhaps better chaperoning would have only delayed what occurred.
The young woman lives near where I live and the young man lives in the East Bay. She is successful after graduating from UC Davis and becoming involved in business. He is successful after graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in engineering.
The story of what happened and how things went through the following years was given me by the young lady. We met in Benicia when she was still attending Benicia High School. Then, like so many others, she moved on with her life as did I with mine. I often wondered about that young lady who when we met was cute, bouncy, and intelligent and changed so much so quickly. All I knew about the young man was he was personable, popular, and a good athlete.
The young lady and I didn’t keep in contact until the reconnection began at a social meeting in the city where we each live. In one of those things which happen in life we had lived in the same city for years and never knew the other was there.
She is an instantly likeable young lady. When we met at the social gathering, she appeared the same in attitude and outlook as she had when we met all those years before. That only added to the happiness I had in the fact I had met her again. It has been a little mother/daughter since then.
One evening we had a “girls’ night out” in Benicia. On the drive back she told me what occurred between her and the young man. She talked as if telling a story about which she knew but had never been a part. I drove and listened.
Then she said, “I met him again.” I thought she must have meant the young man, but I couldn’t be sure. Then I discovered I was correct.
The companies where each worked did some business together. Somewhere along the way among bosses the name “Benicia” came up. It was a key the bosses recognized in each of their respective employees. Someone had the idea that their “Benicia” background employees should lead in a project involving the two companies.
The young lady said she was surprised when she walked into the meeting room and saw the young man. He immediately rose and walked to meet her and she automatically extended her hand.
She said for the next few seconds there could have been no one else in the room because all she knew of being there was him.
The meeting was friendly but all business. When it ended, the young lady and young man left together.
She told me she got home far later than she should have, but during that time feelings of when she had been that junior girl returned to her.
She said it began when they stopped next to her car. He said, “I’m sorry.”
The young lady spoke the only words which she said could come from her heart at that time, “I know, me too. I understand.”
I’ve seen so much happen between young people through the years. Much of what I’ve seen is in young people who once called Benicia their home and some who as adults still do. The story of the young lady and young man continues. They made a mistake of youth which many through history have made, but the core of their attraction held true and time brought them back together.
Janice

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.

Sharing is caring!