Chapter Twenty-Six

Jeremiah opens by recounting a childhood memory: at thirteen, he briefly overpowered Conrad while wrestling as their father coached and Susannah cooked nearby. When Jeremiah pinned Conrad, their father criticized Conrad instead of praising Jeremiah, and Conrad sincerely told Jeremiah, “Good job.” The moment made Jeremiah dislike beating Conrad, cementing their dynamic.

After the confrontation at the beach house, Jeremiah drives aimlessly, tempted to leave Conrad to handle the fallout alone. Even as he drives, Jeremiah knows he will come back; abandonment isn’t his way.

While cooling off, Jeremiah reconsiders his accusations. He admits it was low to say Conrad hadn’t been there for Susannah, recognizing Conrad couldn’t have known how quickly she declined and would have stayed if he had. Jeremiah also credits their flawed father for returning at the end, saying the right things and making Susannah happy—something Conrad refuses to see.

Choosing action over anger, Jeremiah stops at the local pizza place. He orders food and waits for Ron, a delivery guy known to supply beer to underage kids. Planning to salvage what may be their last night at the house, Jeremiah buys cases of beer and liquor.

Jeremiah returns to find Conrad waiting on the porch, clearly remorseful. Without rehashing the argument, Jeremiah enlists Conrad to carry the alcohol and declares they are having a party, signaling a tentative reconciliation and a bid to take control of their final night in Cousins.