Theo of Golden: A Novel by Allen Levi - 45

The following morning, Tony was positively ebullient. One year older and two decades younger. A veritable bon vivant .

“Theo, good morning! What a birthday you gave me, my friend. Never had a better one in my life. The meal was divine, the port was unbelievable, and Mia . . . Oh, Mia, Mia, Mia. Unforgettable.”

“Tony, you have impeccable taste for such a young man. She is indeed a beautiful woman.”

Tony squared himself in front of Theo. “OK, Theo, take the witness stand. You gotta set the record straight. I know you’re an old bachelor, been one a long time and all that, but surely an old romantic like you has had some flings with the ladies. Tell me it ain’t so.”

It was part statement, part question. Theo chuckled.

“Maybe some flings once upon a time. But only one great love.”

“Your wife?”

Theo looked at the ground and shook his head. “No, unfortunately not. The marriage . . . oh, I’m still not certain what I was thinking. In some ways, that was a big mistake. No, the one great love wasn’t for long, but the woman took my heart in her hand. Maybe a man gets only one of those in his life. Even if it breaks his heart. And you?”

Tony did not take the bait. “No, no, no, no. No dodging this time. We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you. Tell me about her. The one great love of Theo the Mysterious. Tell me.”

Theo waved it off. “Really, Tony, there’s nothing to tell. I loved a girl. She left me. We went our separate ways. The end. And it was so long ago, and for so short a time, less than even a year. My memory is not to be trusted. You? What about the one great love of Tony the Verbivore?”

Tony guffawed. “Ha! Not a pretty picture, Theo. Just a bunch of flings and failures. Unfortunately, most of my lady friends were female versions of myself. I never had one great love. I think that door closed for me a long time ago. But still, I like to look at ‘em. Right? I love ‘em all.”

Theo held up a forefinger and touched it to his lips. His eyes narrowed and turned skyward, the look of a man trying to remember something. “So . . . Tony? I read something years ago that I still think about. ‘A man who loves all women loves no woman. A man who loves only one woman loves all women.’ Do you agree?”

Tony took a drag on his cigarette. “Theo, where in the hell do you come up with this stuff?”

“Tony, my boy, remember. I, too, am a verbivore. A man who takes long walks by the river and reads books always has something to think about.”

“Right-o. Say the saying one more time, and let me think about it.”

Theo did so with air quotes around the first “love.” Tony wrote it down, thinking he might discuss it with the Penny Loafers later that day. Perhaps, too, the Loafers would assist him in finishing off an excellent bottle of port.

Vintage Tony.

Days later, Mr. Ponder received a letter directed to “Mr. Theo, c/o Ponder House.” There was no return address. The postmark was from Golden. He called Theo. “Would you like me to open it and find out what it’s about? ”

“No. I’ll come get it on my way to the Chalice.”

A short while later, Theo sat in the coffee shop and read the letter. It was typed on plain white paper.

In Spanish.

Dear Mr. Theo,

This is Mia from the Canto. I served the meal at your apartment recently. The birthday meal for your friend, Mr. Tony.

You asked me if we had ever met before. We had not.

When Chef Bouchard asked me to be the server at your home, he only told me that you were a very nice man and one of his favorite customers. I had never seen you at the Canto before because I do not work there until seven o’clock, after my other job.

On the way to your apartment, Chef Bouchard told me your name. When he said it, I realized I knew you.

Several months ago, you wrote me a letter. You wanted to give me a portrait from the coffee shop.

I have always been known by my middle name, Clarise. That is the name you used when you wrote to me.

At that time, I had a boyfriend named Cleave. He found your letter and read it without my permission. He told me I could not meet you at the fountain. He threatened me. I was afraid of him, for good reason.

I wanted to call or write to you to warn you, but I had no way to locate you. I was afraid to call the police because of what my boyfriend might do. He is very jealous and has a dangerous temper.

I am sorry I put you in a bad situation. I do not know what happened at the fountain, but I can imagine. My boyfriend simply told me he had fixed the problem. I was worried about you .

Shortly after that day, I left him. I was afraid of him finding me and hurting me again. I changed all my numbers, and I now use my first name, Mia. I am still afraid of him but less so now that he has a new girlfriend.

At your home last week, as we were making the table ready, you asked me to find some cloth napkins. I did not know which drawer they were in, but when I was looking I found my portrait.

I wanted, right then, to tell you my story and give you my apology, but I did not want to intrude on your special occasion.

I do apologize that your kindness was met with such unkindness. I am glad you did not get hurt.

I have a request to make. Will you please destroy the portrait? That Clarise is no longer in Golden.

Thank you.

Sincerely, Mia

That evening, at home, Theo granted Mia’s wish. He also wrote a letter to her, stating his apology. He left it with Chef Bouchard the next time he went to the Canto. He never saw Mia again while he was in Golden.

Tony, however, mentioned her often.