The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Forty-Five
Overview
Belly recalls a childhood trip to the mall when Conrad, tasked by Susannah to watch over them, panicked after losing track of her. He scolded Belly but reaffirmed they would stick together. Later, Conrad gifted her a glass unicorn, which she kept even after it broke, symbolizing his care and her attachment.
Summary
Belly remembers how Susannah always put Conrad in charge when dropping the kids off. At eight, Belly split from the boys at the mall to browse the glass-blower shop, lingering over a unicorn she couldn’t afford and losing track of time.
When Belly returned late, Jeremiah and Steven were calm in the food court, but Conrad had gone searching for her. He came back angry and scared, scolding Belly for missing their meeting and stressing his responsibility to Susannah. Seeing her cry, Conrad softened and insisted they stick together going forward.
That August, Conrad gave Belly a larger glass unicorn for her birthday. Though its horn later broke during a wrestling match, Belly kept it on her bureau, underscoring how the gift—and Conrad’s protective care—became a lasting symbol she could not discard.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Narrator recalling childhood; lingers over a glass unicorn, gets lost, and treasures Conrad’s gift.
- Conrad FisherLeft in charge; searches for Belly, scolds then comforts her; later gifts her the glass unicorn.
- Jeremiah FisherAt the food court counting arcade tickets; reports Conrad went to look for Belly.
- Steven ConklinWaits with Jeremiah at the arcade area; mildly annoyed but unconcerned about Belly’s lateness.
- Susannah FisherEntrusts Conrad with responsibility for the kids during outings, framing his protective role.