If He Had Been with Me
by Laura Nowlin
Contents
Chapter 9
Overview
Autumn trudges through winter, starting health class with Mrs. Adams, whose stories become a running joke. She avoids witnessing Finny and Sylvie’s closeness but catches signs of a rift between them. Autumn questions the ebb and flow of her feelings for Jamie until his Valentine’s promise ring reaffirms their bond. An early spring hints at change.
Summary
Winter weighs on Autumn, who wishes she could sleep through the season. She swaps Gym for health class with Mrs. Adams, whose water-skiing past and personal anecdotes about every topic become a recurring source of humor for Autumn and Angie.
At the bus stop, Autumn keeps her distance from Finny and Sylvie, resenting their pairing and fearing others will misread her feelings. She overhears snippets of their conversations, suspecting Sylvie wants to be heard, then dismisses the thought in the cold as she focuses on reaching Jamie.
Through class lectures on eating disorders and STDs, Mrs. Adams continues sharing intimate cautionary tales. Meanwhile, Autumn maintains nightly calls with Jamie, imagining marriage and children but noticing her love fluctuates—strongest after fights and sometimes muted when she wants solitude or distraction.
One morning, Autumn sees Sylvie and Finny quietly arguing, with Sylvie pleading and Finny refusing. On Valentine’s Day, Jamie gives Autumn a promise ring and another tiara, which she proudly shows to friends, temporarily steadying her doubts. The season shifts unexpectedly as spring arrives early, suggesting a turn in circumstances.
Who Appears
- AutumnNarrator; endures winter gloom, health class, avoids Finny and Sylvie, questions her love’s intensity, receives Jamie’s promise ring.
- JamieAutumn’s boyfriend; talks nightly about a future together, fights and reconciles with her, gives a Valentine’s promise ring and tiara.
- Mrs. AdamsHealth teacher and former water skier; delivers cautionary lessons with personal anecdotes about eating disorders and STDs.
- SylvieFinny’s girlfriend; seen arguing quietly with him at the bus stop, possibly pleading during a disagreement.
- FinnyAutumn’s childhood friend; stands with Sylvie at the bus stop, appears upset during a whispered argument.
- AngieAutumn’s friend; shares health class and jokes with Autumn about Mrs. Adams’s stories.