The Summer I Turned Pretty, #2
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Six
Overview
Jeremiah calls to say Conrad has disappeared from summer school, prompting Belly to help search. Seeing a chance to make amends, Belly hurriedly packs and lies to her withdrawn mother about her plans. Her decision sets the search in motion while underscoring the family’s ongoing grief after Susannah’s death.
Summary
On the morning of July 3, Belly receives an early call and momentarily thinks it is Conrad. Instead, Jeremiah tells her Conrad left summer school days earlier, missed two exams, and cannot be reached. Belly, alarmed by the word “gone,” agrees immediately to help Jeremiah find his brother.
Motivated by guilt over their last fight and longing to fix what feels broken, Belly packs quickly, seeing this as a purpose after months of numbness. She is both terrified and compelled by the possibility of being near Conrad again.
Before leaving, Belly faces her mother in the kitchen and lies that she’s staying with Taylor, using the story to secure time away. Her mother, distracted and subdued since Susannah’s death, accepts the excuse, even handing Belly money for ice cream.
With permission secured, Belly drives off, feeling relief at escaping her mother’s quiet sorrow and the house’s reminders of loss, while committing herself to finding Conrad with Jeremiah.
Who Appears
- BellyNarrator; agrees to help find missing Conrad, hastily packs, lies to her mother, and leaves.
- JeremiahCalls in panic about Conrad’s disappearance from summer school and asks Belly for help.
- ConradAbsent; has left summer school and missed exams, catalyzing the search and Belly’s renewed purpose.
- Belly’s motherDistant and grieving; unknowingly permits Belly to go by accepting Belly’s lie.