The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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

Hello Jim,
One of my friends said there would be a shotgun in my future if I didn’t watch out, and it would be held by the father of the girl I was dating.
The shotgun never materialized. That girl and I had some good times together. I have to admit that for whatever degree of love it was I loved that girl and she loved me. There was an understanding between us, I know, but it was never talked about between us.
Things like that still happen in Benicia and everywhere else. Kids are kids.
I haven’t seen the guy who talked about the shotgun in years, but I talked with the girl at a reunion. She came to the reunion alone. I saw her enter the building and recognized her immediately. Her hair was gray, but it was her.
I walked towards her, we hugged, and I kissed her on her cheek. Then some others joined us and we talked for a few minutes and then sort of drifted around the room for awhile.
I was sitting with a couple of guys when she walked over to us and sat down. After a couple minutes the guys left. She and I sat and talked until the reunion ended.
The girl doesn’t laugh like she used to now that she’s long been a woman. Somewhere along the way something happened. Maybe it was a combination of things. I think it was. It isn’t just my imagination. Something changed her. I knew her very well when she was a girl. She was happy and smiling. For kid’s love it had to be kid’s love between us for awhile.
She was the best dancer I ever danced with. It was natural with her. She seemingly moved with no effort.
I walked her to her car and asked her if everything was good with her. I told her if she ever needed anything to let me know and gave her a card with my contact information.
She hugged me like she didn’t want to let go. I hugged back just as firmly. She said everything was good with her. Then she smiled the smile I remembered.
There is a good memory of that girl’s love for me. I hope the same holds true with her. She has gotten back to smiling more again I think. I know she still shows me that smile I remember each time I see her.
Art

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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