Summer, #1
The Summer I Turned Pretty
by Jenny Han
Contents
chapter twenty - two
Overview
Belly basks in attention from Cam and spends the day waiting for his call, highlighting her shift away from Conrad. Mr. Fisher phones to say he won’t visit, underscoring family strain. Jeremiah takes Belly go-karting, revealing light jealousy. Susannah appears ill, hinting at deeper, unspoken troubles.
Summary
In the morning, Belly wears Cam’s hoodie, savoring her first experience of open attention from a boy. She waits by the house phone in case Cam calls. Instead, Mr. Fisher phones, sounding distant, and says he won’t come down that weekend, which makes Belly wonder how Susannah and the boys will feel.
Left alone at the house, Belly tries to tan and dozes until Jeremiah wakes her by sprinkling Kool-Aid on her. Seeking distraction, Jeremiah offers to take her out if she rinses off, and he lets her drive with him navigating.
Jeremiah brings Belly to Go Kart City for safe “driving practice.” An older attendant flirts with Belly, which she enjoys, and Jeremiah bristles at, revealing a hint of jealousy. After several laps, Jeremiah ends the outing and speeds to his lifeguard shift, leaving Belly pleased and tired.
Back home, Belly learns Cam called but left no number, causing brief tension with her mother, Laurel. Belly mentions Mr. Fisher’s earlier call and cancellation. Laurel says Susannah is napping with a “summer cold,” but Belly senses Laurel is lying; Susannah’s recent sadness suggests something more serious, leaving Belly uneasy.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Narrator; waits for Cam’s call, enjoys go-kart outing with Jeremiah, senses Susannah’s hidden illness.
- Jeremiah FisherTeases Belly awake, takes her go-karting, shows mild jealousy at attendant’s flirting, then heads to work.
- CamNew romantic interest; his hoodie comforts Belly. Calls later but leaves no number.
- Mr. Fisher (Adam)Calls sounding distant; says he won’t visit this weekend, signaling family strain.
- Laurel (Belly’s mother)Answers Cam’s call without taking a number; deflects about Susannah’s health.
- Susannah FisherAbsent and reportedly ill; her sadness alarms Belly, hinting at deeper issues.