The Summer I Turned Pretty, #2
It's Not Summer Without You
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Four
Overview
Jeremiah narrates the first night after Susannah’s death, revealing the family’s raw grief. Their usually stoic father breaks down, and Jeremiah and Conrad share a silent, isolating evening. Hearing Conrad cry, Jeremiah respects his brother’s need for privacy and grieves alone, underscoring their separate ways of coping.
Summary
Jeremiah reflects on how destabilizing it is to see his father cry, noting that their dad never encouraged tears. Susannah dies early in the morning, and the speed of events at the hospital and funeral home leaves Jeremiah numb until later.
That night, with their father at the funeral home with Laurel and relatives at a hotel, Jeremiah and Conrad are alone in the quiet house. In the kitchen, they pick at condolence food. Jeremiah eats dry coffee cake; Conrad drinks milk. Their brief exchange about the next day ends in shrugs and silence.
Conrad retreats upstairs while Jeremiah cleans up. When Jeremiah goes to check on him, he hears Conrad’s choked sobs through the door. Knowing Conrad would want privacy, Jeremiah leaves him alone, returns to his own room, and finally allows himself to cry, each brother grieving separately.
Who Appears
- JeremiahNarrator; processes Susannah’s death, observes family grief, and chooses to grieve privately.
- ConradWithdrawn and grieving; cries alone behind his door after a silent evening with Jeremiah.
- Their fatherUsually stoic; openly weeps at the hospital and funeral home, shocking his sons.
- LaurelAt the funeral home with the boys’ father on the first night after Susannah’s death.
- SusannahRecently deceased mother; her absence drives the family’s grief and isolation.