The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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,
After high school I went a little wild. It was because my parents had repressed me. When I had the chance to get away from them, I took it and flew. I was finally free and carefree, and did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and with whomever I wanted.
That doesn’t read like a nice life perhaps, but it helped me. I felt such freedom.
It is hard for me to believe my parents loved me, though they each said they did. I didn’t understand when I lived with them.
Maybe it was mean, but when I brought the man I married and our child to introduce them I told my parents the feeling I had for my husband and child was the love I wished my parents had shown me.
I had learned to speak my mind, but perhaps I was foolish then. There was a silence which was broken when my mother said, “We have always loved you.” Then my father said, “We did the best for you we knew how.”
There was silence for a few moments. Then my mother said it was time for dinner. It was the quietest dinner I ever attended. It was only strength of will which allowed me to get through the dinner.
When dinner was over, I helped my mother clear the table, put things away and fill the dishwasher. While I was doing that, my husband and our child were in the living room with my father.
I told my mother it was time for us to leave and she and I walked into the living room. My father was holding our baby and gently stroking his head as he talked softly to him with words I couldn’t hear.
My husband looked up when he saw my mother and I enter the room. He said, “Our son has found another grandfather.”
At that moment I understood my mother and father had loved me all along. They just had a different way of showing it than I expected.
It sometimes is a little difficult, but one Saturday a month my husband, child, and I visit my parents in Benicia. It makes for a long day as we have to leave early to get there and we stay as late as we can but it is all worth it. The Sundays after those Saturday visits my husband and I don’t do much, but our son continues to grow. Part of that growth is in knowing all of his grandparents.
A Young Woman

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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