The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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,
I absolutely loved going to the Royal Bakery with my friends after school and on a Saturday afternoon. A nice Thai restaurant is at that location now, but to me the site will always be the Royal Bakery.
We had so much fun there talking “girl talk”. Some kids would be in one booth and some in another and at times talked to or towards each other. There was never any animosity. Usually three or four kids sat in a booth. Sometimes it was only two and some of those times it was a boy and girl.
It was the only place in Benicia to meet and have a cherry Coke. There is so much more for the youth of today, but I don’t think most of them understand what they have. We didn’t have much. The Benicia Arsenal and Mare Island were big employers in those days, and very few people in town had what would be called large incomes.
We did have each other. We were close-knit and supported each other, Benicia High School, and our town. It was a good time.
At the last Peddler’s Fair my husband, Will, and I had lunch in what is now the Thai restaurant. We sat at a table which was in the area where a window booth once was when the building held the Royal Bakery. We each talked of times in that booth area when it was part of the Royal Bakery. We weren’t always together at the start, but in the end we were. At the start it was me and my best friend Trina and him and his best friend Josh. Then it was the four of us most of the times. Then came the time when it was only Will and me most of the times.
Whenever Will and I drive downtown I can’t help but look at what I will always remember as the Royal Bakery. At least sometimes Will takes a quick look at it.
A few years after graduating from Benicia High School the times Will and I shared at the Royal Bakery led to dates which led to what is a long and still a happy marriage.
Thank you for the chance to share with others part of my love for Benicia and the love I discovered here.
Gloria

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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