The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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,
There is a retired Benicia High School teacher I’ve only seen twice in the last 30 years, but he is the one I remember the most and think of the most. Those two times we met were by chance. The one instance was when we attended the same football game without knowing the other would be there. The second time was a social gathering for some we each knew. Neither of us knew the other would be there either. Each time we hit it off as if we had been in regular contact.
We’ve shared a father/son degree of love since we met. We couldn’t have had the feelings we held towards each other and be as close to each other when we met if that wasn’t the case.
It is my fault we didn’t keep in touch better. When I met with him and his wife those two times over thirty years, it was like we had seen each other just the day before.
The teacher loaned me his car once. I had no other way of attending something which was very important to me at the time and he knew that. He understood. I’ll never forget him for doing that and the many other things he did for me. Loaning the car was one of the many times he was kind to me.
On a visit to his home one evening he told me he never attended his high school Senior Prom. He had been too poor. He said there was a girl he wanted to ask to the Prom, but he couldn’t do it because he felt if he couldn’t do it right, he wouldn’t do it. He was always that kind of guy.
He said he didn’t want me to ever miss out on one of those “rights-of-passage,” as he called them. He was always there to help when things seemed a little tough. If it was a ride to and from a place, or a hamburger, milkshake and fries he felt was needed it was done. If he needed some work done around his home which I could accomplish, he hired me. He used his connections to get me some summer work. All of it was to give me the chance to earn some money and make some contacts. I didn’t understand that then. I was happy he thought enough of me to give me the opportunity to earn some money.
When some big decisions came in my young life, he was the one I went to talk with. At times it was sitting at school when I came to his room at lunch or after school. Most of the times we talked it was at his home. He never judged, he just listened and then gave his opinion.
His pat on the back gave encouragement. His handshake gave love and strength. The last time we met we hugged not wanting to separate as we talked and others passed by us. He said I was one of the sons he never had and kissed me on the cheek. He was, in part, the father I never had.
I’m very successful, I believe, in any way anyone measures success. Part of that success is due to that retired Benicia High School teacher.
I can no longer thank Coach in person, but I think of him often.
Lewis

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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