THEO OF GOLDEN - WEEK 4 - CHAPTERS 16 - 20

THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi

This week we've hit a bit of a breakthrough with Theo and his story. We begin to understand some of the meaning behind Theo's routine. We definitely have a long way to go in understanding the complexity of Theo's character and answering the "why' question to what exactly he's doing, but the door has been cracked open to us.

CHAPTER 16

There are two main things we learn about Theo in this chapter: he can see past the veneer that most people wear on the outside to the real person underneath, and he has a bit of a humorous side.

I have to confess that Tony really nailed it for me in this chapter. I had considered the possibility of the mafia for Theo. I may have breathed a "thank you" to Allen Levi for including that in the conversation between Theo and Tony.

Isn't it interesting that Tony is trying to gather info on Theo, but Theo dodges it and collects info on Tony? I really have to hand it to Theo with his ability to put people at ease and harvest what he's looking for. A conversation about coffee reveals so much about Tony! Coffee! Theo is absolutely brilliant.

Note that's it's not just portraits that are connecting Theo to people. Even though Tony has a portrait hanging in the coffee shop, that exchange has not happened between them, yet, Look at how Theo works his way into Tony's, Mr. Ponder's, and Shep's. lives without a portrait to help.

Did you notice what we learn about Tony? He is a veteran of Vietnam (which he doesn't talk about) and brilliant in his real estate choice. But what does he have in that building he owns? A bookshop on level one, marriage counseling on level two, and an art studio on the third - a place for people to hang out together, a place for healing, and a place that adds beauty to the world. I think his place is more than just a brilliant real estate venture. He has invested in community and healing.

He also jokingly mentions to Shep that he can't trust Theo. Coming from a "Tony," a traditional mafia name itself, I'm asking myself if he has personal knowledge, Is this something to add to Mrs. Gidley's distrust?

CHAPTER 17

This awful chapter - this is where we get the glimpse of who Theo is. We learn why he likes to live close to water and why he loves sunsets. As I began reading this chapter before it got into the accident, I was telling myself that everyone needs a place where they personally are refilled from pouring out so much of themselves on others. Theo becomes even real-er to us by Levi acknowledging that. What I didn't expect was the reason why the river, bench, and sunset are so sacred. He has a punctual meeting every night with a 10-year-old girl who never ages - Tita, his precious daughter.

It is now confirmed that Theo moved in very high circles both professionally and socially. We have some hints about what he did, but it isn't completely told to us. It is interesting that so many times what we strive for as human beings, that we deem as success, is so empty. Theo began moving away from the society picture while his wife embraced it. He found something worthwhile to pursue instead (his daughter) while his wife struggled to fill the hole inside. I'm sure all of us had the same sinking feeling when the book tells us about her struggle with alcohol. We knew what was coming next.

It's hard to imagine the man that we are becoming so attached to shattered, but he was. Purpose ceased to exist. Everything worthwhile and joyful ended with the last heartbeat of his daughter. As a parent I found this part so emotional to read. I struggle to imagine. I don't want to imagine, I find myself understanding Theo, because I am a walker when I need to sort things out as well. He began to walk as a means of escape from the prison of his new unwanted reality. He had to wrestle through guilt when beginning to notice joy and beauty again. While the book doesn't give us a salvation story, it does point to a moment when "Heaven took control of his soul." - a joyous murmuration of birds, a sunset more glorious than a Monet painting, the ushering in of the night, but the night is pierced by the light of a single bright star.. Theo begins to heal.

CHAPTER 18

What do we learn about Theo in this chapter? He was a former client of Mr. Ponder's father which is why Mr. Ponder took him on. Mrs. Gidley still finds him very suspicious, and I am pretty certain that armed with this new information she's going to be digging into the files with all she's worth to find out answers.

CHAPTER 19

What do we learn about Theo in this chapter? We understand his desire to help Lamisha and her dad after learning his story. It further ups our respect for him for wanting to remain anonymous. It would have been perfectly understandable and reasonable for Theo to just have the desire to help them out of the goodness of his heart, but after hearing the story of his past with the loss of his daughter that quadruples the emotional connection for us.

CHAPTER 20

I am finding Theo's reaction to meeting Asher interesting. Why is he nervous and stumbling for his words? That's not his typical response to people. He typically puts them at ease, and he really needs someone here to put him at ease. I am looking forward to hopefully learning more as to why this is when they meet together at Asher's house. Again, I am asking myself as we end the chapter what Theo's "plan" is that he keeps referring to?