chapter fourteen

At thirteen, Belly lounges with Conrad, Jeremiah, and Steven when a marijuana smell fills the house. Belly names it first, trying to seem worldly. Conrad calmly reveals it is Susannah’s, used for chemo, which surprises and unsettles Jeremiah. Laurel and Susannah return downstairs giggly and hungry, tacitly confirming it. Laurel matter-of-factly explains the medicinal use, easing the tension with dry humor.

Later, Belly and Jeremiah secretly return to the house and overhear Susannah confess to Laurel that she almost would rather die than lose a breast. Laurel refuses platitudes, then disarms the moment by praising Susannah’s “pretty goddamn amazing” boobs, making Susannah laugh-cry. During the eavesdropping, Belly squeezes Jeremiah’s hand; he holds on, wordless and shaken.

Back on the beach, Steven teases them about kissing, oblivious to Jeremiah’s distress. Jeremiah walks away, and Conrad tells Steven to leave Jeremiah alone, showing protective understanding. Belly feels a swell of love for Conrad but guilt amid Susannah’s illness.

That night, Jeremiah skips his beloved night fishing and stays with Belly. They watch TV and play cards, and for the rest of the summer they spend quiet mornings collecting shells and biking for ice cream. The crisis cements a true friendship between Belly and Jeremiah, closer than Belly’s bond with Steven, revealing Jeremiah’s kindness beneath his usual humor.