Summer, #1
The Summer I Turned Pretty
by Jenny Han
Contents
chapter forty one
Overview
In a flashback to age twelve, Jeremiah vents about Mr. Fisher favoring Conrad and admits feeling second-best. He correctly identifies Belly’s budding love for Conrad. Belly later confirms it to herself after watching thirteen-year-old Conrad cook a Father’s Day breakfast despite his father’s absence, cementing her lifelong attachment.
Summary
Flashback to age twelve: with Conrad away fishing, Belly and a sick Jeremiah spend a night on the basement couch watching movies. Bitter, Jeremiah says Mr. Fisher likes Conrad more and calls his father a jerk. Belly deflects, noting differences between their dads—Mr. Fisher is athletic; her father prefers chess.
Jeremiah reveals he also likes chess and says Conrad does too, suggesting Conrad performs to meet their father’s expectations, even in football. He confesses he wishes he could be as good as Conrad and vows to surpass him someday, highlighting his insecurity and rivalry.
Jeremiah then confronts Belly, invoking their “no secrets” pact and insisting she loves Conrad. Belly denies it aloud but feels exposed by Jeremiah’s knowing look, revealing the depth of her hidden feelings even then.
Later, Belly recalls the precise moment her love solidified: thirteen-year-old Conrad cooks a belated Father’s Day breakfast though Mr. Fisher never arrives. Watching Conrad serve rubbery eggs while masking his hurt, Belly recognizes, privately and irrevocably, that she will love him forever.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Narrator at age twelve; denies feelings for Conrad but privately realizes her enduring love.
- Jeremiah FisherSick and left behind; voices resentment over his father favoring Conrad and perceives Belly’s crush.
- Conrad FisherAbsent on the trip; later cooks a Father’s Day breakfast, revealing vulnerability that cements Belly’s love.
- Mr. FisherPerceived to favor Conrad; his failure to show for breakfast spurs Belly’s realization about Conrad.
- Susannah FisherKeeps ill Jeremiah home from the fishing trip; background presence shaping the night in.