These chapters mark the climax of Heidi's journey, as long-held secrets are revealed and new tragedies begin to unfold. Heidi's relentless pursuit of the truth about her mother, Mama, leads her to shocking discoveries about her family's past, while an ominous ending hints at further heartbreak to come.
Chapter 16: Hot
Heidi It's attempt to flee Hilltop is thwarted by Sheriff Roy Franklin, who arrives to pick up his wife, Ruby Franklin. Distraught, Heidi calls Bernadette, lamenting Thurman Hill's awfulness and begging to come home. Roy brokers a deal with Bernadette: if Heidi can correctly guess ten coin flips in a row, he will take her to his home for the night instead of the police station. Heidi, using her innate luck, succeeds. Roy agrees, surprising Ruby. Before leaving, Roy speaks briefly with Thurman, who is tending to a distressed Elliot Hill. Heidi asks Roy to find out why Elliot knows her mother's word, "soof."
At the Franklins' home, Heidi experiences a sense of care she has never known. Roy carries her inside as she sleeps, a comforting gesture she has never experienced. After a warm meal, Heidi calls Bernadette again, learning that Mama has a terrible headache. Overcome with emotion, Heidi asks Bernie to tell Mama she loves her—a word rarely spoken in their home. Before bed, Roy asks if the name "Diane DeMuth" is familiar; it is not. After a luxurious bath, Ruby tucks Heidi into bed. That night, Heidi dreams of Thurman Hill's watch, its face bearing the letters S-O-O-F instead of numbers. This chapter deepens the theme of Unconventional Family and Love as the Franklins provide Heidi with a temporary, nurturing home.
Chapter 17: Kiss
The next morning, Heidi is determined to return to Hilltop to show Elliot the photographs, hoping they will trigger his memory of Mama. Ruby informs her that she has taken the day off and Roy has their only car, leaving Heidi feeling trapped. While getting dressed, Heidi discovers that Ruby has washed and ironed her clothes, a small act of maternal care that touches her. As Ruby makes pancakes, Heidi agrees to show her the photographs.
While looking through the pictures with Ruby, Heidi has a sudden realization. She examines the photo of the "scrawny Santa Claus" from the Christmas party and recognizes his bony wrists and the distinctive watch—the same one from her dream. Heidi understands that the man in the Santa suit is none other than Thurman Hill. The photograph provides the first concrete proof that Thurman was present at the party with her mother and has been lying about not knowing her, advancing the theme of The Nature of Truth and Knowledge.
Chapter 18: Bad
Ruby immediately calls Roy to tell him about the discovery: Thurman Hill and a younger, curly-haired Elliot are clearly visible in the photographs from the Christmas party. This photographic evidence proves that Thurman lied to Heidi, confirming her suspicions. When Roy returns home, he examines the photos himself. Shortly after, he receives a call from Thurman's lawyer and leaves for Hilltop, taking the crucial photographs with him but leaving a furious and betrayed Heidi behind. He tells Ruby it's better for the "grown-ups" to sort things out first.
Feeling abandoned, Heidi resolves to walk the ten miles to Hilltop. While searching for her red sweater, she opens a drawer in her room and finds it filled with pristine baby clothes. Ruby enters and quietly explains that they belonged to the three babies she lost. In this moment of shared sorrow, the theme of Loss and Grief comes to the forefront. Heidi, moved by Ruby's pain, offers her the only comfort she can think of: her giant jar of jelly beans. The tender moment is interrupted by the phone ringing. It is Roy, who has changed his mind and is coming back to take Heidi to Hilltop after all.
Chapter 19: No
While waiting for Roy, Heidi reads a newspaper article about how the true color of dinosaurs is unknown, a metaphor for the limits of knowledge. Bernadette calls, her tone urgent and serious, insisting that Heidi must come home immediately. Preoccupied with the imminent revelations at Hilltop, Heidi dismisses her concerns and hangs up quickly when Roy arrives. In the car, Roy is evasive, refusing to share what he has learned. They discuss the dinosaur article, with Heidi arguing that any truth can be found if one searches hard enough, and Roy countering that some things can never be known.
At Hilltop, they meet Thurman and his lawyer, Mr. Dietz. Roy warns Heidi that the truth may be difficult to hear. Mr. Dietz begins by presenting official records about a woman named Diane DeMuth and the birth of her daughter, Sophia Lynne DeMuth, who was born with "significant damage." Heidi confronts Thurman directly, accusing him of lying. Instead of anger, Thurman's eyes fill with tears. He asks Roy and the lawyer to leave, wanting to speak to Heidi alone. As they exit, he looks at Heidi and says, "No, Heidi. I know exactly who you are."
Chapter 20: Uh-oh
In a flood of revelations, Thurman Hill tells Heidi the entire truth, finally resolving the central mystery of her Search for Identity and History. He explains that Diane DeMuth was her grandmother, and Sophia Lynne DeMuth is her mother's real name. Sophia, who had a cognitive disability, was a resident at Hilltop and became best friends with Elliot. When Sophia became pregnant, Diane accused Elliot of being the father. Fearing a scandal and the birth of another "damaged child," Thurman struck a bargain with Diane: he would provide financial support for her and Sophia to live in Reno in exchange for their permanent silence and disappearance. He admits his greatest regret was underestimating Elliot's deep love for Sophia; Elliot never forgot her and has said her name every day since she left.
Heidi asks her final, most important question: "What is soof?" Thurman explains it was Elliot's name for Sophia, which she adopted as "So be it." The last pieces fall into place when Roy returns and reveals that Diane DeMuth died in a bus accident in Reno on February 19th—the exact day Bernadette found Mama and baby Heidi at her door. Heidi calls Bernadette to share the news, but Bernie is strangely distant and hangs up abruptly. Moments later, a taxi arrives and Ruby gets out. She walks directly to Heidi and embraces her, whispering, "Poor thing. Poor, poor thing." In that moment, Heidi understands that a new, terrible sorrow has found her, ending the chapter on a devastating cliffhanger.
Character Development
Heidi's journey reaches a critical point as she confronts the truth about her past and begins to understand her identity. Thurman's transformation reveals the complexities of his character, while Ruby's compassion offers Heidi a sense of comfort and belonging.
- Heidi It: She demonstrates immense courage in confronting Thurman and resilience in processing the painful truths of her origin. Her empathy shines through in her interaction with Ruby, and her single-minded quest for knowledge is finally fulfilled, though the answers are more complex and tragic than she could have imagined. This marks a crucial point in her Coming of Age and Independence.
- Thurman Hill: Thurman transforms from a one-dimensional antagonist into a complex, tragic figure. His confession reveals that his actions were driven by fear, shame, and a misguided desire to protect his son and his legacy. He is a man burdened by guilt and regret, particularly over his failure to recognize the depth of Elliot's love for Sophia.
- Ruby Franklin: Ruby is revealed to be a deeply compassionate and maternal figure, whose own history of profound loss allows her to connect with and comfort Heidi in a way no one else can. She provides a safe harbor for Heidi amidst the storm of revelations.
Themes & Symbols
These chapters delve into the complexities of truth, identity, and loss, revealing the hidden connections between characters and the weight of past secrets.
- The Search for Identity and History: This theme culminates in these chapters as Heidi finally learns her mother's name (Sophia), her grandmother's name (Diane DeMuth), and the tragic story of her own birth. Her identity is no longer a blank page but a story filled with love, disability, and secrets.
- Loss and Grief: This theme becomes central with the revelation of Ruby's lost babies, the news of Diane DeMuth's death, and the ominous ending that heavily implies Mama's death. The "sorrowful mist" Heidi imagines escaping from the drawer becomes a powerful symbol for the grief that is about to envelop her.
Key Quotes
"No, Heidi. I know exactly who you are."
Thurman's words mark a turning point in the narrative, as he finally acknowledges Heidi's identity and prepares to reveal the long-held secrets of her family's past. This moment signifies the beginning of Heidi's journey toward understanding her origins and the truth about her mother.
"Poor thing. Poor, poor thing."
Ruby's whispered words encapsulate the overwhelming sense of sorrow and impending tragedy that permeates the end of the chapter. Her embrace conveys a deep empathy for Heidi, foreshadowing the difficult times ahead and the profound loss she is about to experience.
Significance
These chapters represent the emotional climax of So B. It, as Heidi uncovers the truth about her past and confronts the complexities of her family's history. The revelations about Sophia, Elliot, and Thurman's bargain reframe the entire story, shifting it from a simple search for facts into a complex exploration of love, disability, fear, and regret. The resolution of Heidi's past immediately gives way to a new, impending tragedy, marking a pivotal turn from a story of discovery to one of profound loss. This section solidifies the novel's core themes and prepares the reader for the heartbreaking conclusion.