The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Forty-One
Overview
Conrad visits Ernie, the retired restaurant owner he used to work with, and confides that Jeremiah’s wedding is imminent. Ernie challenges Conrad to act if Belly is truly “the one,” prioritizing love over family peace. Ernie’s tentative thaw with his nephew underscores the theme of family bonds. Conrad leaves feeling lighter and more resolved.
Summary
Conrad drives to visit Ernie, the beloved former owner of the seafood restaurant where Conrad once worked. He notes that Ernie’s nephew John forced Ernie into retirement, and Conrad has been checking on Ernie weekly to keep him company and ensure he takes his medicine.
Seeing John’s car leaving surprises Conrad. Inside, Ernie banters about cigarettes, and they settle into their routine of watching old cop shows and talking during commercials. Conrad mentions that his brother is getting married next weekend, and Ernie immediately presses him: will Conrad cry about it or do something?
When Conrad asks whether Ernie believes in “the one,” Ernie affirms it, citing his late wife Elizabeth as his own. This conviction challenges Conrad’s passivity about Belly marrying Jeremiah and plants the idea that in matters of true love, action is required.
Conrad brings Ernie a beer in a fresh glass and asks about John’s visit. Ernie says John mowed the lawn—joking that Conrad does a poor job—and speculates John might be angling for an inheritance, yet still calls him family. Then Ernie bluntly adds that if a girl is “the one,” all bets are off, family or not.
Conrad leaves feeling lighter, encouraged by Ernie’s counsel to prioritize love over deference to his brother’s wedding.
Who Appears
- ConradVisits Ernie, confesses anxiety over Jeremiah’s imminent wedding, and is urged to act if Belly is his true love.
- ErnieRetired restaurant owner; counsels Conrad to fight for Belly if she’s “the one,” while acknowledging complicated family ties.
- JohnErnie’s nephew; recently mows Ernie’s lawn despite past conflict over the business, signaling a tentative thaw.