Wait Till Helen Comes summary

Introducing a Sinister Presence

In Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn, we meet Molly, a twelve-year-old girl, her ten-year-old brother Michael, and their newly blended family. The children's father, Dave, has recently remarried Jean, a woman with a seven-year-old daughter named Heather. The family moves to an old church in the countryside, which they plan to renovate and convert into their new home. But soon, the children notice something odd about Heather's behavior.

Heather begins to act secretive and withdrawn, and she claims to have made a new friend named Helen. Molly and Michael dismiss this as a childish fantasy at first, but as Heather's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, they grow concerned. Their fears are confirmed when they learn that Helen is not a living person, but a ghost from the church's dark past.

Heather's Haunting

As the story progresses, Heather's relationship with Helen grows more intense. She becomes increasingly isolated and obsessed with the ghost, spending all her time in the church graveyard, where Helen's grave is located. Molly and Michael, worried for their stepsister's well-being, try to intervene, but Heather becomes hostile and manipulative, using her connection with Helen to threaten the others.

Meanwhile, Molly and Michael discover that Helen was a troubled child who died in a fire over a century ago. They learn about her tragic life, including her abusive stepfather and her accidental death. They realize that Helen's spirit is lingering, seeking revenge on the living for her untimely demise. The children are now faced with the challenge of saving Heather from Helen's malevolent influence.

A Desperate Attempt to Save Heather

As Heather's behavior becomes more alarming, Molly and Michael decide to take matters into their own hands. They seek the help of the local librarian, who is knowledgeable about the church's history and the haunting of Helen. With her guidance, they devise a plan to confront Helen's ghost and put her spirit to rest.

In a tense and terrifying climax, the children lure Helen's spirit into the church and attempt to trap her inside. Their plan goes awry when Heather, under Helen's control, tries to prevent them from sealing the ghost. In a dramatic struggle, the children manage to overpower Helen and seal her inside the church, freeing Heather from her influence.

Reconciliation and Moving Forward

With Helen's spirit finally at peace, the family begins to heal. Heather, freed from the ghost's influence, returns to her old self, and the siblings grow closer as they share the experience of their harrowing encounter with the supernatural. The family also comes to terms with their blended status, finding a new sense of unity and understanding.

In the end, Wait Till Helen Comes is a story of resilience and reconciliation. The children learn to navigate their complicated family dynamics and face their fears, emerging stronger and more united. And although the ghostly presence of Helen is gone, her haunting tale will linger in the children's memories for a long time to come.