Theo of Golden

Mr. Ponder gives Mrs. Gidley four more names for Theo’s portrait project, and she reluctantly continues helping despite her concerns about Theo’s determination to approach strangers. For his fifth bestowal, Theo is drawn to the portrait of Kendrick Whitaker, whom he believes has “suffered loss.” Theo learns from Shep that Kendrick works as a night custodian at the university, performing his job with diligence despite being largely invisible to those who benefit from his work.

On Thursday morning, Theo waits at the fountain while Kendrick secretly observes him from a window in the administration building. When Kendrick cautiously approaches Theo, the pair’s initial interaction is tense. Kendrick is suspicious of Theo’s intentions, but when Theo unwraps the portrait, Kendrick’s demeanor changes. He explains that his daughter, Lamisha, is turning eight that day and has been hospitalized after a car accident that killed her mother. Kendrick works night shifts while his grandmother, who has diabetes, stays with Lamisha at night. Later that day, a courier delivers a birthday cake, flowers, and art supplies to Lamisha’s hospital room—an anonymous gift from Theo.

Late one night, Theo sits on his balcony overlooking the quiet Promenade, appreciating the peace of the city. Only the sounds of the Fedder fountain and the distant river break the silence. Theo values these moments, when he can reflect on the memories of his long life.

Suddenly, Theo hears a soft female voice singing. Looking more carefully, he sees a woman with a bicycle, sitting alone at the fountain. She sings softly to herself, not seeming to care if anyone hears her. The woman appears weary but is comfortable with her solitude. When a police car passes and slows down, neither the woman nor the officer acknowledges the other, suggesting that they are familiar with each other. Eventually, she mounts her bicycle and rides away southward, disappearing into the night.

On a beautiful morning, Theo strolls toward Tony and the “Penny Loafers,” who are sitting outside the Verbivore bookstore. Tony jokes about Theo’s origins, suggesting that he tell people he is from Rome and is connected to the Mafia. Theo has often observed that Tony presents a different persona when they’re alone versus in company; beneath his sarcastic exterior lies a thoughtful soul with wide-ranging interests.

Theo has learned that Tony is a Vietnam War veteran who returned to a fractured homeland in the 1960s, went through college, marriage, divorce, and worked for decades as a newspaper copy editor before retiring early and purchasing his building on Broadway. The next morning at the Chalice, when Tony asks Theo if he believes in heaven, Theo adroitly changes the subject to coffee. Tony shares that he drank the best cup of coffee of his life in 1968, after his final deployment in Vietnam. He had just returned to American soil, and everything tasted wonderful. He admits that afterward, he “stayed drunk for a month” (104).

Even before his first bestowal, Theo found a pleasantly shaded bench by the Oxbow River where he could sit and watch the water. On many evenings in the spring and fall, Theo walks from Ponder House to sit by the river exactly 15 minutes before sunset—a practice that he has maintained for 50 years in every place he has lived.

Theo’s private thoughts reveal that this ritual saved him when he was younger, after his 10-year-old daughter Tita was killed in a car accident. (His wife, who had an alcohol addiction and drove while intoxicated, was also killed in the crash.) Tita had been the center of Theo’s world, while his wife had enjoyed their high social status and dulled her boredom with alcohol. After their deaths, Theo isolated himself, walking endlessly each day. During one such walk along the River Marne at sunset, he witnessed thousands of birds in murmuration against the sky and saw the first star appear. In this moment, he felt his soul begin to heal and experienced a spiritual awakening. Although his grief never fully healed, Theo has always lived near a river, maintaining his sunset ritual in memory of his daughter.

In Mr. Ponder’s office, Mrs. Gidley receives two more names for Theo’s portrait project, and she continues to express skepticism about the unusual endeavor. Mr. Ponder acknowledges her concerns but reveals an important confidence: Many years ago, Theo was a client of Mr. Ponder’s father.

This information surprises Mrs. Gidley, who has no memory of Theo being associated with Ponder House during her decades of employment there. Mr. Ponder explains that he checked the company files and found his father’s notes, which verified Theo’s claims. Though Mrs. Gidley is full of questions, she restrains herself and simply thanks Mr. Ponder for setting her mind at ease. She agrees to mail Theo’s letters that afternoon.

At the hospital, Dr. Goodson Ikande introduces himself to Lamisha Whitaker and her father; he is now the girls’ new doctor. A tall man with a British Nigerian accent, Dr. Ikande asks Lamisha to call him “Dr. Good.” (The previous day, Dr. Ikande received a call from James Ponder, who explained Lamisha’s situation and requested that the doctor take her as a patient, with an anonymous benefactor covering all costs.)

Later, Mr. Ponder informs Theo that Dr. Ikande has taken the case and is cautiously optimistic about Lamisha’s recovery, though she’ll likely always have a limp. He also tells Theo that arrangements have been made with the grandmother’s employer to give her paid leave until Lamisha is home, with Theo’s funds covering her salary. Theo expresses pleasure at their “formidable force for good,” quoting the Bible verse, “[o]n earth as it is in heaven” (117). Mr. Ponder claims that Theo’s actions “renew [his] hope in humanity” (117).

When Shep points Theo out to Asher as “the guy who’s been buying your pictures” (118), artist and patron finally meet at the coffee shop. Asher introduces himself to Theo, who becomes noticeably excited to meet him. Asher thanks Theo for purchasing the portraits. Theo praises Asher’s work and accepts his invitation to visit the studio the next day. As Asher leaves, Theo watches him ride away on his bicycle, takes a deep breath, and thinks to himself that his plan is working just as he had hoped.

Theo describes the Boughery neighborhood in Golden as “vintage Americana” with houses built in the mid-1800s featuring distinctive architectural elements. Originally owned by wealthy community leaders, these homes have recently been purchased by artists, families, and professionals who appreciate the area’s historical character. Theo arrives promptly at Asher’s studio and presents the artist with flowers that were his mother’s favorites.

In the main studio, Theo views Asher’s diverse works. As they share coffee, Asher reveals that he grew up in Golden. His father owned an ad agency, and his mother was an artist who studied in Madrid. He also explains that he is not close with his brother, Pearce. Asher is now married to a woman named Brooke; their daughter Samantha teaches in South Carolina. Asher explains that his father died recently, and his mother died of Alzheimer’s years ago. However, he is grateful that he was able to spend time with her during her final years.

While Asher takes a business call, Theo explores the studio hallway, studying the various framed items. On one wall hangs an oil painting of a lone tree in a field with an easel and a barely visible female figure. It is enigmatically captioned “Me, painting you, painting” (131). Surrounding this painting are four framed letters written to a young Asher—one from his grandfather, and three from renowned artists encouraging his artistic ambitions.

When Asher returns, Theo asks about these items. Asher explains that the letters were sent in response to messages that his mother helped him write to prominent artists as a child. He also says that the tree painting was one of his mother’s favorites, though she never explained why. The two men talk for hours about art and philosophy, with Theo sharing his belief that for art to be truly good, there must be love in it. Theo also explains his desire to ensure that Asher’s work reaches its rightful owners. Asher admits to being disappointed that the portraits hadn’t sold well, but Theo suggests that this delay allowed their paths to cross. When Theo finally leaves, the two men share a meaningful handshake, and Theo walks to the river with much to contemplate.

This chapter explains that the residents of Golden eventually stop asking to know Theo’s last name or learn more about full identity, as his habitual response, “Just call me Theo” (141), forestalls additional questions. Theo never uses email or social media, and his credit card is under the name “PH Ltd.” Mr. Ponder has taken steps to protect his client’s anonymity. Eventually, people’s curiosity diminishes as they spend more time with him. The fact that he lives in the venerable Mr. Ponder’s building also gives him credibility. The community ultimately decides to judge Theo by his actions rather than his name, and they are soon convinced that he is trustworthy despite his mysterious identity.

Whenever a portrait is sold and removed from the Chalice, another from inventory is displayed in its place. Theo greets these newcomers enthusiastically, seeing each as another story for his project. Realizing that it will take him nearly two years to distribute all 90 pictures if he delivers one portrait per week, Theo decides to organize two or three bestowals weekly. This creates more work for Mrs. Gidley, who must find the recipients’ addresses and sometimes struggles to decipher the nicknames with which Asher labels the portraits.

The portrait of Ellen, the unhoused woman, presents a unique challenge because she has no official address. Theo asks Shep for help, and the coffeeshop owner explains that Ellen sometimes stays at the Mission or under the bridge. She also waits outside the Chalice until Shep can bring her a cup of hot chocolate. Shep delivers Theo’s letter to Ellen and explains it to her himself. She agrees to meet Theo at the Fedder fountain.

During Theo and Ellen’s meeting, Theo soon realizes that Ellen’s thoughts are nonlinear and erratic, and he proceeds with kind patience, telling her that he saw something “motherly” in her portrait. After sharing that her infant daughter, Willa Francesca, was taken from her, Ellen shows Theo a locket containing a tiny lock of blonde hair belonging to the child. She explains that a kind nurse and policeman gave her this gift just before Ellen was returned to a mental institution. Ellen expresses the unbearable pain of being judged unfit as a mother and being separated from her child for 30 years.

Theo and Ellen sit in silence, watching the rainfall mix with the fountain water. When the rain stops, Ellen stands to leave, but she first asks Theo if he truly saw elements of motherhood in her portrait. Theo confirms that he did, and Ellen thanks him, then rides away on her bicycle, which she calls the “Noble Invention.”

On Sunday morning, Theo attends the service at St. James church. As the service begins, Ellen causes a loud disruption when she forces her way into the sanctuary with her bicycle, shouting at an usher who tries to restrain her. The congregation is horrified by the scene.

As panic spreads and people begin calling 9-1-1, Mrs. Ocie Van Blarcum, a respected church matriarch, approaches Ellen with a gentle greeting. Ellen recognizes her, and when Ellen states she’s looking for Theo, he steps forward and greets her. Together, Theo and Mrs. Van Blarcum escort Ellen and her bicycle to a seat. Father Lundy calls for silent reflection as a sense of reverence fills the room. After this incident, arrangements are made for Theo to sit in the last row by the aisle in future services; this will allow Ellen to park her bicycle beside her when she attends.

By the next morning, the story of Ellen’s church disruption has spread throughout Golden. When Tony sees Theo approaching the Verbivore, he eagerly asks for details. Theo describes both the Thursday bestowal and the Sunday church incident but does not demean Ellen or the church members.

Tony listens attentively and reflects that Ellen must have “had some Vietnams of her own” (169). He explains that Ellen loves reading but lost her library privileges after conflicting with staff and accumulating overdue fines. Tony reveals that the Verbivore has given Ellen her own “library card,” allowing her to check out three books at a time. He also adds that the Promenade community collectively looks after her. Before leaving, Theo purchases a William Saroyan anthology from Tony. Later at home, he reads “Rescue the Perishing” (170), a story that Ellen had referred to during their conversation. In the story, Saroyan states that bicycles are “the noblest invention of man” (170).

Basil Cannonfield, a street musician, finishes his performance outside the Chalice coffee shop. This sidewalk spot is his workplace; he performs here several nights a week with an open guitar case for tips. Theo has often listened to Basil’s music from his balcony and finds his voice pleasant.

Most pedestrians pass by without acknowledging Basil. After returning home that night, Basil empties his money pouch on the kitchen table, noting that tonight yielded generous tips from passersby. Among the bills, he discovers an envelope with his name elegantly handwritten. (Earlier that evening, Theo had placed this envelope containing Basil’s portrait invitation into his guitar case.) Theo has often seen performers like Basil in Paris and New York, and he recognizes their artistic genius.