When the story actually begins, Mattie has just hired a new person for her staff, a secretary, one Sara Kidd, young, deceptively plain, and modest. Her job will be to write Mattie's letters, take phone calls and share meals with this legendary artist. As the days go by, slowly a bond of trust is established between this young woman, who has had such an unhappy youth she now lacks confidence in herself, and Mattie, who is struggling to find peace and escape from bitter past memories. Sara is sometimes shocked at Mattie's candid descriptions of people and situations, sometimes shaken with laughter at Mattie's witty observations and many times puzzled by her stated hatred of her late husband and his deeds. Gideon Sylvester was a sensitive, gifted painter.
Men are just like little boys with money.
The closer Sara comes to know and understand this woman, the more Sara recognizes the great talent Mattie possesses. Gradually Mattie takes Sara into her confidence and through a series of flashbacks recounts her youth, her romances and her marriage to Gideon. There are unusual twists to Mattie's story and always surprises in the narrative. The answers prove that Mattie does see things and people differently than the average person. Painted Lives is an engrossing story, one the reader will long remember.