The Summer I Turned Pretty, #2
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Forty
Overview
On departure day, Belly savors the house one last time before Jeremiah and Conrad unite to toss her into the pool, marking a bittersweet goodbye. During the drive, Jeremiah keeps things light while Conrad studies. A Slurpee stop ends with Conrad recalling Belly’s “cocoa” specialty, stirring Belly’s buried memories and feelings.
Summary
On July 6, Belly wakes early to memorize the view, comforted that the house will remain even as they all grow up. She rallies Jeremiah and Conrad to leave, only to be ambushed by both boys, who swing her into the pool for a final “Belly Flop,” turning the goodbye into a playful ritual.
They set off in one car so Conrad can study in back. Belly cries behind sunglasses as they drive away, thinking of summers and Susannah. Jeremiah turns up pop songs and sings with Belly, lightening the mood, while Conrad, focused on exams, asks for quiet.
At a gas stop, Belly buys Slurpees for herself and Jeremiah, reminiscing about an old blender mishap. Conrad, thirsty, asks for a sip despite hating sugary drinks. After drinking, he pointedly mentions Belly’s “specialty” being cocoa, signaling he remembers their shared past, which makes Belly look away as old memories and feelings surface.
Who Appears
- BellyNarrator; savors the house’s view, gets playfully tossed into the pool, drives off with the boys, and is stirred by Conrad’s “cocoa” memory.
- Conrad FisherDetermined to pass exams; studies in the car, joins the pool prank, asks for quiet, and recalls Belly’s cocoa, hinting at remembered intimacy.
- Jeremiah FisherSuggests one car, leads the playful send‑off, drives, sings along to pop songs, and shares Slurpees with Belly to keep spirits up.