Martina Lichtblau

Martina Lichtblau was a girl at Theo Decker's school on the Upper West Side, one of the most popular girls in his year. In the chaotic aftermath of his mother's death, she was among the students who left notes and gifts in his locker, a gesture of sympathy that stood out against the awkward silence of many of their classmates.

Life and Plot Trajectory

Years later, long after Theo had left New York for Las Vegas and returned, he ran into Martina Lichtblau on the street. They had a brief and unsatisfying affair, a total of three stealthy encounters on a fold-out sofa. During this time, Martina mentioned Andy Barbour, saying he was in Massachusetts and was still a huge geek, but that he played it up so much it was almost retro and cool. Theo thought fondly of Andy but never called him.

Key Actions and Consequences

Martina's most significant impact on Theo's life came indirectly. She was the source who told Emily (Em), Kitsey Barbour's roommate, about Theo's drug use. Em, in turn, told Kitsey. During a confrontation about Kitsey's own infidelity with Tom Cable, Kitsey used this information against Theo, saying, "Everyone tried to tell me. 'Stay away from him. He's darling but he's a drug addict.' Tessa told Em she stopped seeing you after she caught you snorting heroin at her kitchen table." This revelation exposed Theo's secret life and became a point of leverage in their argument, revealing the fragility of their engagement and the extent to which Theo's past was known to those around him.