The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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,
Jan and I love having the water near us. Birds fly by, water craft of dozens of types move east and west, fog rolls in and rolls out, low clouds cascade into the declivities on the Contra Costa side making them reminiscent of Scandinavian fjords, the surface is choppy with whitecaps or smooth as a millpond, but always the water is there.
Our walks down First Street to the Point are always the same, but always different. It’s having that water there that does that. A person can go to the same spot at the same time for days on end and each visit to the spot will reveal a different scene.
We’re always hand-in-hand on our walks. I joke that it keeps me from falling down. My body isn’t what it once was as with all of us. Really it is because I enjoy holding Jan’s hand.
At one time in our lives we walked down First Street as all young couples walk I believe. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I believe any two people who are starting out in a relationship and are truly caring aren’t totally at ease. They wonder what the other thinks and what any who may see them together thinks. Jan and I passed that period decades ago. There is mellowness to us in our walks. It comes with care, consideration, and the love which has grown between us through time. Part of that love has come through our walks to the water.
No one can live in Benicia as long as Jan and I and not get to know many people. Often we see some of those people on our walks. Speaking with them is kind of like talking over the fence with a neighbor. We share the wisdom and complaints of the day and go on our way. Each connection is a connection not only with them but with Benicia.
In the beginning it was just Jan and me. In time our child joined us bundled up like an arctic explorer on the coldest days but with us. Then the puppy which grew to be such a close friend joined us. We were a family of four.
Jan and I have long been back walking as a pair, a couple, a tandem joined by the love which has held from the first walk through the one we shared today. It began as the two of us and evolved as things are meant to evolve. It will end as the walk of the two of us, Jan and me. I couldn’t have wanted or picked out a better walking companion. I couldn’t have discovered a better love.
-Fred

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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