66 pages 2 hours read

Mary Downing Hahn

Wait Till Helen Comes

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1986

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Chapters 13-15Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 13 Summary

Molly learns that Dave and Mom have gone shopping for the day. Molly cannot find Heather and searches for her in the Harper House. A thunderstorm rapidly approaches. Molly overhears Helen and Heather talking. Though terrified, Molly feels she must save Heather even if she does not want to, and even if Heather does not want to be saved.

Helen appears more substantial and frightening. Heather wants her daddy to join them, but Helen asserts that Heather’s father has betrayed Heather just like Helen’s mother betrayed her—by loving someone else more. Helen promises to love Heather best because she knows Heather’s true self, implying that she knows a secret Heather is keeping. Helen promises they can be princesses in a world of mermaids and unicorns. She leads Heather into the pond.

Molly pursues them and dives into the pond. She pulls Heather above the water. Helen tries to stop Molly, but Molly yanks the locket from Heather’s neck, breaking the connection to Helen. Molly gets Heather to shore and resuscitates her. Heather begs to return to Helen, who calls to her but cannot reach her without the locket.