Theo of Golden

On his first full day in Golden, Theo wakes early in his hotel room. Having traveled to the town yesterday from New York City via private jet and chauffeur-driven car, he now observes the southern town’s springtime beauty from his window, noting the fog-shrouded Oxbow River. Eager to explore, Theo heads out before most businesses open.

As Theo slowly walks Broadway, he frequently stops to examine minute details of the town’s architecture, history, and local wildlife. Unlike in New York, Theo has no obligations or deadlines in Golden, and he appreciates his anonymity.

After his morning stroll, Theo enters a coffee shop called The Chalice and observes the diverse array of customers. He also exchanges a friendly greeting with a young man carrying a cello. He orders an espresso and begins studying the coffee shop’s interior.

Theo’s attention is drawn to the 92 pencil portraits displayed on the walls, all of which have been created by the same artist, Asher Glissen. The portraits depict a range of individuals of different ages, races, and expressions. Although he wants to examine each drawing more closely, he waits for a less crowded time and returns later that afternoon. The barista, who introduces himself as Shep, remembers Theo from his earlier visit and provides him with a local magazine that features an article about the coffee shop and the artist. Theo spends time studying the portraits.

On his second day in Golden, Theo explores a gentrified residential area called the Boughery before returning to the Chalice. After careful consideration, he pays $125 for a portrait of a young woman with short hair and an unsmiling face; he feels that the price does not reflect the true quality of the work. When Shep asks why he chose that particular portrait, Theo explains that this one intrigues him the most.

Later, at his hotel, Theo studies the portrait, noting the name “Minnette Prentiss” on the back of the frame. He researches her online and learns that she is a local Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He composes a thoughtful letter, explaining that he would like to give her the portrait as a gift since it rightfully belongs to her. He proposes meeting at the fountain near the Chalice, where he will be wearing a heather green flat cap so that Minette can identify him.

Minnette Prentiss shows her husband Derrick the letter from Theo. Derrick, who works as a prosecutor, is concerned about meeting an unknown person, but they decide that the request seems innocent enough. The couple agrees to approach the meeting cautiously, observing from a distance before deciding whether to approach.

Derrick calls Minnette’s uncle, Asher Glissen, the artist who created the portrait, to ask if he knows anything about Theo or the letter. Asher has no knowledge of Theo but agrees that the meeting sounds reasonably safe. Throughout their conversation, Asher is working in his studio on another portrait.

Derrick rereads Theo’s letter several times, finding its sincerity increasingly convincing. Later that night, Derrick agrees that he and Minette will cautiously attend the fountain meeting. Minnette teasingly points out that none of this would have happened if Derrick had purchased the portrait for her as he had promised.

After speaking with Derrick, Asher Glissen returns to his work. His studio is filled with natural light, and music is playing in the background as he expertly draws a portrait of a man with wild hair and a playful expression. Asher’s decades of practice allow him to bring the face to life, and soon the portrait is complete and ready to be displayed at the Chalice.

By Thursday evening, Derrick and Minnette’s concern has largely given way to curiosity. While approaching the fountain, they are intercepted by Tony, a local bookseller who insists that Derrick come into his shop to look at a book. Reluctantly, Derrick goes with Tony while Minnette continues toward the fountain.

Upon meeting Theo, Minnette is surprised to find a vibrant, well-dressed gentleman with bright eyes and a warm, genuine smile. They sit together at the fountain. Theo explains that he purchased her portrait because he believed it belonged with her. He chose her portrait first because her face appeared to be the kindest and because her eyes reminded him of a woman he loved in Spain many years ago. As they converse, Theo observes qualities in her portrait: strength, bravery, kindness, and sadness.

From across the fountain, Derrick observes Minnette and Theo’s conversation, deciding the old man poses no threat. Theo shares more about the woman from his past; she loved children and faced pressure from her father to pursue business rather than her true desires. This story resonates deeply with Minnette, who begins to open up about her own life. She reveals that her parents separated when she was young; her mother moved to Europe, while her demanding father remained focused on money and business. Minnette was raised by her grandmother, whom she called “Gammy”; this vital figure provided her with the love and nurturing that her parents never gave her.

As their conversation deepens, Minnette confesses that during college, she became pregnant but terminated the pregnancy at her father’s insistence despite her desire to keep the baby. The sadness that Theo detected in her portrait stems from this decision and from the ongoing conflict between her desire to be a mother and her current career path. Minnette also reveals that her father, Pearce Glissen, is the brother of Asher Glissen. Before they part ways, Theo presents the portrait to her with words of affirmation about her strength and kindness. Derrick joins Minnette after Theo leaves, and they decide to hang the portrait in their bedroom.

The day after meeting Minnette, Theo sits by the river, contemplating his experience. What began as a “silly idea” has solidified as a mission. With 92 portraits at the Chalice, he considers how to select which ones to give away next.

Theo decides to use two criteria for selecting future portrait recipients. He will focus on the faces that interest him most, and he will also favor subjects who appear to have experienced loss or hardship. He believes that Asher Glissen’s artistic skill captures the essence of true personalities and stories.

By the end of his first two weeks in Golden, Theo has established a routine that includes making regular visits to the Chalice, exploring the Boughery district, and spending time by the river. He decides to visit the Verbivore bookshop and meets the owner, Tony. Theo asks for a book about Golden’s history, and Tony offers to sell him an inexpensive volume written by a former newspaper reporter.

The two men develop an immediate rapport, with Theo comparing the Verbivore to bookshops in Scotland and Paris. Tony learns about Theo’s Portuguese background and his many homes around the world, while Theo discovers that Tony is a war veteran with strong opinions. When Theo mentions his search for an apartment, Tony suggests the nearby Ponder House, which is owned by James Ponder, an old-school gentleman who has a vacant apartment on the third floor. Tony also introduces Theo to a music student named Simone, and to a genial group of retired men who call themselves the “Penny Loafers” and regularly gather outside the bookshop.

James Ponder is a reserved, well-dressed man who remains highly regarded in the community. He is a business consultant by profession, although the full range of his expertise remains vague. When Theo arrives at Ponder House to inquire about the apartment, he encounters Mr. Ponder’s protective secretary, Mrs. Gidley, before meeting Mr. Ponder himself.

Mr. Ponder invites Theo inside, and the men bond over Theo’s genuine interest in the building’s architecture and history. When Theo finally mentions his interest in renting the apartment, Mr. Ponder initially expresses reluctance but agrees to show him the space. Despite concerns about the stairs, noise, and security, Mr. Ponder is intrigued by Theo. After a lengthy private conversation in which Theo shares his story (details that the author does not yet reveal), Mr. Ponder agrees to rent him the apartment and accept him as a client, much to Mrs. Gidley’s displeasure.

In the days following their initial meeting, Theo and Mr. Ponder meet several times while Mrs. Gidley maintains her suspicion of the newcomer. Mr. Ponder establishes reasonable requirements for Theo as a tenant, including proper maintenance, cautious use of the balcony, and entrance through the back stairs only. 

As Mr. Ponder’s client, Theo provides personal information for emergencies and deposits $100,000 to be held in trust for expenses. He explains his plan to purchase all the portraits from the Chalice and give them to their subjects, and he requests Mr. Ponder’s help in obtaining addresses and scheduling meetings. Though Mr. Ponder suggests buying all the portraits at once, Theo insists on giving them personally, one at a time.

Mrs. Gidley reluctantly begins working for Theo by finding addresses for portrait subjects and mailing his handwritten invitation letters. Despite her suspicions about Theo’s motives, she admires his beautiful handwriting and completes the tasks efficiently. Following his successful meeting with Minnette, Theo conducts three more portrait bestowals.

The second portrait goes to Junior Perryman, a one-armed bartender who lost his limb in a textile mill accident. Junior explains the history of “the Fedder,” the fountain at which Theo meets the subjects of Asher’s portraits. The third portrait recipient is Bun Everson, a university graphic design student who wants to start a magazine after graduation. The fourth bestowal goes to 12-year-old Frankie Knowles, who comes in a wheelchair and is accompanied by his parents. Though initially suspicious, the family is moved by Theo’s gift. With four successful bestowals completed, Theo feels more confident in his mission to give away the remaining portraits.