The Summer I Turned Pretty, #2
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Four
Overview
Jeremiah remembers a childhood summer when he sacrificed a beach day to cheer up a sick Belly. Despite reluctance, he stays, plays cards, and later catches her cold, which he doesn’t mind because they bond. The memory underscores Jeremiah’s long-standing care for Belly, illuminating present-day loyalties.
Summary
Jeremiah narrates a memory from when he was thirteen and Belly was eleven, sick with a summer cold. With Conrad and Steven secretly at the arcade and Jeremiah planning to go boarding with Clay, Susannah asks him to stay in and cheer Belly up. Jeremiah agrees, partly for his mother’s sake, sacrificing his plans.
He joins Belly in the TV room, where they bicker lightly over the remote, Popsicles, and the last of the special “toast bread.” Belly teases out that Susannah made Jeremiah stay. Despite his restlessness and Belly’s crankiness, Jeremiah tries to make her feel better, even suggesting a shower and offering to teach her poker.
They settle into a long afternoon of cards, Belly’s hero-worship of Conrad briefly surfacing and irking Jeremiah. The shared game becomes companionable, easing Belly’s loneliness and Jeremiah’s frustration.
Two days later, Jeremiah catches her cold, but he doesn’t mind; Belly then keeps him company, and they pass the time with more poker and The Simpsons. The memory reveals Jeremiah’s enduring willingness to put Belly first and the reciprocity of their early bond.
Who Appears
- Jeremiah FisherNarrator; stays home to cheer sick Belly, plays poker, later catches her cold.
- Belly ConklinSick with a summer cold; cranky but bonds with Jeremiah over poker and TV.
- Susannah FisherJeremiah’s mother; gently persuades him to stay and comfort Belly.
- Conrad FisherAbsent at the arcade; invoked as Belly’s admired benchmark and sibling rival.
- Steven ConklinAt the arcade with Conrad; part of the sibling dynamic Jeremiah references.
- ClayJeremiah’s friend; planned boarding partner Jeremiah forgoes to help Belly.