If He Had Been with Me
by Laura Nowlin
Contents
Chapter 62
Overview
On the drive home, Autumn broaches the plan to have sex after graduation, offering to start birth control. Jamie, stressed by finals and other pressures, refuses to engage and discourages her from the pill, postponing the discussion. The exchange underscores growing unease beneath Autumn’s commitment to Jamie.
Summary
After school on a clear day, Jamie drives Autumn home. Autumn, recalling their agreement to have sex after graduation, tries to discuss logistics. Jamie is silent and distant, offering no encouragement.
Autumn admits she is not on the pill and suggests starting it. Jamie rejects the idea, telling her she does not need to do that. When Autumn proposes condoms and even practicing, Jamie cuts off the conversation, saying he is too stressed by finals and everything else to think about it.
Autumn accepts the delay and interprets Jamie’s restraint as admirable. Before exiting the car, Autumn says she loves him; Jamie responds, “Me too,” leaving the moment unresolved and hinting at discomfort around their planned intimacy.
Who Appears
- AutumnInitiates a conversation about their post-graduation plan to have sex; offers to start birth control; accepts Jamie’s postponement.
- JamieAvoids discussing sex, cites stress over finals, discourages the pill, and defers the conversation; responds minimally to Autumn’s affection.