Summer, #1
The Summer I Turned Pretty
by Jenny Han
Contents
chapter thirty - eight
Overview
On Belly’s birthday, Jeremiah gives her a key charm for her bracelet, and Belly is thrilled. Conrad stays distant and abruptly leaves for work during the cake cutting, creating an awkward moment that Susannah and Laurel try to smooth over. The scene underscores Jeremiah’s warmth and Conrad’s withdrawal.
Summary
Belly immediately loves her present and runs upstairs to fetch her charm bracelet from her music box. She fastens the new key charm onto her wrist as Jeremiah explains it symbolizes her soon driving. Belly admires it and worries it was expensive; Jeremiah jokes he saved all summer, then admits he was teasing. Belly playfully punches him, and he says Yolanda predicted she’d like it. Susannah praises the gift, and Belly hugs Jeremiah, calling it perfect.
As Laurel begins cutting the birthday cake into messy, oversized slices, Conrad abruptly says he isn’t hungry and needs to get dressed for work. He wishes Belly a happy birthday and goes upstairs, leaving a silence at the table.
Laurel pointedly praises the cake and urges Susannah to eat, but Susannah also says she isn’t hungry. Belly breaks the tension by taking a big bite and affirming it’s her favorite yellow cake. Laurel adds that it’s from scratch, closing the scene with Belly appreciating both the gift and the effort, while Conrad’s distance lingers.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Birthday girl; cherishes Jeremiah’s key charm, tries to ease tension by enjoying the cake.
- Jeremiah FisherGives Belly a thoughtful key charm, jokes about its cost, pleased by her reaction.
- Conrad FisherDistant and abrupt; comments briefly, then leaves for work during the cake cutting.
- LaurelBelly’s mother; cuts the birthday cake and attempts to smooth over the awkward moment.
- Susannah (Beck) FisherCompliments Jeremiah’s gift but says she isn’t hungry, reflecting the room’s strained mood.