Just for the Summer
by Abby Jimenez
Contents
Chapter 46: Justin
Overview
Justin recounts the painful six months after Emma left, showing how grief, responsibility, and routine reshaped his life as he learned to care for the children without her. Although he rebuilt stability and gained a deeper understanding of love, Emma’s sudden return proves that his feelings are still unresolved. Their brief reunion turns painful when Justin realizes she came because Sarah called, not to reconcile, and he tells Emma her visit only reopened the wound.
Summary
Justin reflects on the six months since Emma left and admits that he fell into a deep depression afterward. Caring for the children alone, dealing with constant illness, and missing Emma made everyday life feel unbearable. Even so, Justin chooses empathy over anger because he understands why Emma left and believes loving her also meant letting her go, especially to protect the children from more instability.
After several miserable weeks, Justin forces himself to regain control. He reorganizes the household with practical systems, shares responsibilities with the kids, and slowly builds a new routine that makes life more manageable. Over Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, Justin still feels Emma’s absence sharply, but he also begins to see that the family can have good days again. Alex getting his license marks another step toward stability, even though Justin never stops missing Emma.
As he looks back, Justin realizes that the truest form of love is found in ordinary care rather than grand romance. That insight makes his loss worse, because Emma taught him what lasting love feels like, and he cannot imagine anyone else measuring up. He has accepted that the relationship is over, but the pain remains part of his daily life.
In the present, Sarah unexpectedly comes home from school after getting her first period and tells Justin to come downstairs. When Justin reaches the living room, he is stunned to find Emma there, holding Chelsea, who has a fever. The sight of Emma instantly brings all his feelings rushing back, and for a moment the scene feels so natural that it is as if she never left.
Once Chelsea is taken from the room, Emma explains that Sarah called her for help. In the kitchen, Justin realizes Emma did not come specifically to see him, which reopens his hurt and resentment. They awkwardly ask whether either of them is seeing someone, and both say no, revealing that neither has moved on. When Emma asks what he is thinking, Justin admits that although he is happy to see her, her presence stirs up too much pain and makes him wish she had not come. Emma apologizes and gets up to leave.
Who Appears
- JustinNarrator; reflects on Emma's departure, rebuilds his household, and admits her return reopens his pain.
- EmmaReturns unexpectedly after six months to help Sarah and comfort Chelsea, reviving unresolved feelings.
- SarahCalls Emma after getting her first period and brings Justin downstairs to find Emma waiting.
- ChelseaSick with a fever; her need for comfort creates the domestic scene that shocks Justin.
- AlexHelps Justin manage the household over the past six months and later gets his driver's license.
- ChristineJustin's mother; her absence and earlier instability shape Justin's determination to hold the family together.