Chapters 11-15 Summary
Heidi's journey takes her from the open road to the heart of the mystery surrounding her mother, Sophia Lynne DeMuth (So B. It / Mama). Along the way, she grapples with lies, finds an unexpected friend, and confronts the cold reality of her destination. The truth about "soof" and her mother's past is closer than ever, but powerful forces are working to keep it hidden.
Chapter 11: Good
Heidi It calls Bernadette from Salt Lake City, but lies about being fine to avoid worrying her guardian. The sound soof, triggered by a man blowing out a match, reminds Heidi of her mission. After the call abruptly ends, Heidi reflects on lying to Alice, less troubled by the act itself than by her delayed guilt. This leads her to create a list, "Things I Know About Lying," exploring the complexities of truth and falsehood, a key element of The Nature of Truth and Knowledge.
By the time the bus reaches Cheyenne, Wyoming, Heidi is sick with stress and homesickness. Unable to reach Bernadette due to downed phone lines, she is overwhelmed by nausea and despair. A kind, tall girl, Georgia Sweet, offers her gum. Georgia, an eighteen-year-old on her way to college, immediately bonds with Heidi, who feels comfortable sharing the truth about her life—her mother's condition, Bernadette, and her quest to understand "soof." Georgia suggests that "soof" might be a person, perhaps Heidi's unknown father, opening a new possibility in Heidi's Search for Identity and History.
Chapter 12: Again
Heidi and Georgia's friendship deepens as they continue their journey. Georgia, a psychology major, explains concepts like "body language." Heidi, still unable to reach Bernadette, buys two lottery tickets in Des Moines to prove her "luck" to Georgia, lying to the clerk that she is buying them for her mother. She wins ten dollars, which she uses to buy them both a meal.
The experience prompts Heidi to start a new list: "Things I know About Georgia Sweet." She realizes she knows more about Georgia than about her own mother, for whom her list contains only one entry: "Name: So B. It." This underscores the void in Heidi's life. Their shared journey ends in New York City's Port Authority bus station. As Georgia prepares to leave, Heidi feels fear and loneliness. While Georgia is buying candy, Heidi feels a tug on her backpack, a moment of foreshadowing. As they part, Heidi lies to her next "mother," DeeDee Monroe, telling her that Georgia is her sister, "because the truth was too hard to admit."
Chapter 13: Blue
On the final leg of her journey to Liberty, Heidi discovers her money has been stolen. The bus arrives in Liberty, a bleak and desolate town that is a stark disappointment. Standing alone in the rain, she feels as though she has arrived "nowhere." She manages to call Bernadette, and they both break down, crying with relief and fear.
The call is cut short when Bernadette has to tend to Mama, who is having a severe episode. Heidi is left alone, soaked, and without money. At the ABC Cab office, she learns the fare to Hilltop Home is fifteen dollars—money she no longer has. She spots a jar of jelly beans with a sign offering a free ride to whoever can guess the number inside. Tapping into her innate sense of knowing, she closes her eyes and remembers Mama shouting "Blue!" Heidi confidently guesses the number: "One thousand, five hundred twenty-seven." The cab driver is stunned to find her guess is exactly correct. In the car, Heidi catches her reflection in the window—a "young girl standing in the rain, her long tangled wet hair framing a narrow, serious face." She realizes with clarity that this solitary, determined girl is her: "Heidi It," marking a pivotal moment in her Coming of Age and Independence.
Chapter 14: Pretty
Heidi arrives at Hilltop Home. As she walks toward the building, a gust of wind rustles through the trees, whispering the familiar sound, soof. This time, she doesn't cover her ears. She enters the building and follows the sound of voices and music to a large room.
Peeking inside, she finds an alcove with plants and a red armchair facing a window. Drawn to a flowering plant, she steps closer to see if it's real. As she reaches out to touch a petal, she gasps, realizing she is not alone. A man is asleep in the armchair. As she watches, he stirs, his head snaps up, and his eyes open, looking directly at her. A wide, toothy grin spreads across his face, and in a soft, guttural voice, he says, "Sooooof…"
Chapter 15: Now
Ruby Franklin enters the room and is surprised to find Heidi with the man, whom she calls Elliot Hill. Elliot repeats the word "soof," holding Heidi's hand. Thurman Hill, Elliot's father, enters. He is tall and thin with piercing blue eyes, and his face is impossible to read. When Heidi introduces herself as "Heidi It," Thurman coldly denies that anyone with that name has ever been at Hilltop.
Ruby remembers Bernadette's phone calls, and at the mention of her name, Thurman's demeanor changes. He becomes angry, realizing Heidi has traveled alone. When Heidi shows him the photographs, his face drains of color. He wrongly assumes "Bernadette" is Heidi's mother and accuses her of sending Heidi to extort more money, ranting about broken promises. He snatches the photos and orders Ruby to take Elliot away. Before he leaves, Heidi asks Thurman how Elliot could know the word "soof" if her mother was never there, but Thurman ignores her. Thurman reveals he tore up Bernadette's letters on purpose, wanting to prevent her from "stirring up trouble." His tirade is interrupted when another staff member reports that Elliot is having a violent tantrum. After Thurman leaves to handle the crisis, Ruby quickly checks the filing cabinet for a folder under the name "It" but finds nothing. A police officer arrives. Believing Thurman has called the police to get rid of her, Heidi panics and runs.
Key Events
- Heidi lies to Bernadette about being okay.
- Heidi meets Georgia Sweet, who suggests "soof" might be her father's name.
- Heidi's money is stolen in New York City.
- Heidi arrives in Liberty and calls Bernadette.
- Heidi wins a free cab ride to Hilltop by guessing the number of jelly beans.
- At Hilltop, she meets Elliot Hill, who recognizes her and says "soof."
- Thurman Hill denies knowing Heidi's mother and accuses her of being sent for money.
- Thurman reveals he ignored Bernadette's letters.
- A police officer arrives, and Heidi runs away.
Character Development
- Heidi It: Heidi grapples with lying, forms her first genuine friendship, and endures loneliness and fear. The loss of her money forces her to rely on her "luck." Her arrival at Hilltop marks the climax of her journey, where she confronts a hostile past.
- Georgia Sweet: Georgia is a catalyst and anchor for Heidi. Her kindness allows Heidi to articulate her story fully. She provides emotional support and suggests "soof" is a name.
- Thurman Hill: Thurman is cold, secretive, and hostile. His reaction to Heidi's arrival suggests he is hiding a secret connected to her mother.
- Elliot Hill: Elliot's recognition of "soof" in Heidi provides the first concrete evidence that she is connected to Hilltop.
- Ruby Franklin: Ruby is a kind and sympathetic figure who tries to help Heidi, acting as a potential ally.
Themes & Symbols
Themes
- The Search for Identity and History: Heidi attempts to piece together who she is and where she comes from through her interactions with Georgia and her confrontation with Thurman Hill.
- Coming of Age and Independence: Heidi's solo journey forces her into self-reliance. Her ability to navigate crises marks her transition from a protected child to a capable young woman.
- The Nature of Truth and Knowledge: Heidi contemplates the difference between truth and lies. Her lie to DeeDee shows that lies can come from a place of deep emotional need.
- Loss and Grief: Heidi experiences the pain of separation from everyone she loves. Her bond with Georgia is forged over a shared experience of losing a mother.
Symbols
- The Jelly Bean Jar: The jar represents Heidi's innate luck and intuition. Her ability to guess the exact number is a sign of a deeper knowing that guides and protects her.
- The Rain in Liberty: The rain symbolizes Heidi's disillusionment and the grim nature of the truth she is about to uncover.
Key Quotes
"because the truth was too hard to admit"
Heidi's lie to DeeDee about Georgia being her sister reveals her deep longing for connection and family. It highlights the emotional weight of her solitary journey and the lengths she will go to in order to create a sense of belonging, even if it's based on a falsehood.
"Heidi It."
This moment of self-recognition in the cab window marks a pivotal point in Heidi's journey. It signifies her growing independence and self-awareness as she embraces her identity and prepares to face the challenges ahead.
Significance
These chapters represent the novel's turning point, concluding Heidi's physical journey and initiating the central conflict: the confrontation with the past. Her arrival in Liberty and at Hilltop shifts the narrative from travel to mystery. The introduction of the Hill family establishes the stakes and the obstacles Heidi must overcome to find the truth.
Analysis
The episodic bus journey gives way to a high-stakes confrontation at Hilltop. Sarah Weeks uses foil characters effectively: Georgia highlights what Heidi needs in a friend, while Thurman represents the wall she must break through. The narrative explores luck as an intrinsic quality of Heidi's character, and the use of dramatic irony is crucial in Chapter 15. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Heidi's flight transforming her from a seeker of truth into a fugitive.