The Summer I Turned Pretty, #2
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Three
Overview
Laurel arrives at Cousins after Belly’s drunken call, furious at the deception and the wrecked house. A brutal argument culminates in Laurel slapping Belly, but they reconcile when Laurel admits her grief and apologizes. At Belly’s urging, Laurel agrees to call Adam Fisher about stopping the sale, shifting hope back to saving the house.
Summary
On July 5, Belly wakes to Laurel shaking her awake, the phone off the hook and the house a mess from the party. Laurel, exhausted and angry after driving all night, orders Belly to pack and leave. When Belly insists she came because Conrad and Jeremiah needed her, Laurel unleashes her frustration about being lied to and the state of the house.
The argument escalates when Belly accuses Laurel of not caring and invokes Susannah’s wishes. Pushed to the limit, Belly says she wishes Susannah were her mother. Laurel, devastated, slaps Belly—something she has never done—leaving both shocked. Belly flees outside to the beach and vomits, where Jeremiah quietly advises her to leave and apologizes for involving her.
When Belly returns, Conrad is gone and the living room is clean. In the kitchen, Laurel apologizes, admitting she has been absent and off balance since Susannah’s death. Belly prepares to apologize too, and Laurel explicitly says she shouldn’t have hit her. They hold hands and begin to mend their rift.
As they talk, Belly insists they cannot abandon the fight to save the house. Though doubtful she can sway Adam Fisher, Laurel concedes to call him. Belly senses their conflict isn’t over but feels renewed hope that Laurel might still fix things.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Hungover after the party; clashes with Laurel, is slapped, then reconciles; urges saving the house.
- Laurel ConklinArrives furious after Belly’s call; slaps Belly in anger, then apologizes and agrees to call Adam Fisher.
- Jeremiah FisherComforts Belly on the beach, urges her to leave, apologizes for bringing her into the mess.
- Conrad FisherSilently cleans up the party aftermath; present but withdrawn, then disappears from the room.