The Assistant Chapter 5, Section 3 Summary

  • Helen is out for a stroll with Betty Pearl, her friend and Nat's sister, who inquires about what happened between Nat and Helen.
  • After returning to the candy store, Helen leaves Betty's company.
  • Betty and her boyfriend, Shep, drive away in his Pontiac.
  • On her walk home, Helen runs into Frank.
  • She asks for the names of the stores where Frank purchased her gifts. She'd like to return them so Frank can have his money back. She knows he needs it.
  • Frank proposes that she keep one of them. If she does, he'll return the other. She reddens, but accepts.
  • She opts for the book.
  • Ida is still upset that Frank is around the store. She worries that something is going on between him and Helen.
  • She begins to follow her daughter and spying on her.
  • Although she lacks evidence, Ida brings her concerns to Morris. He doesn't see the harm.
  • Ida warns him a tragedy is coming.
  • Morris is annoyed by her remark, then worried by it.