If He Had Been with Me
by Laura Nowlin
Contents
Chapter 58
Overview
Autumn learns her parents are divorcing and realizes her father has already moved out. Shaken, she turns to Jamie, who promises not to leave and offers immediate support. They exchange I love yous, reaffirming their relationship. The moment deepens Autumn’s reliance on Jamie amid escalating family instability.
Summary
On a rainy Saturday morning at the start of senior year, Autumn calls Jamie and tells him her parents are getting divorced. She sits alone in her room, struggling to understand why she is so upset when little in daily life seems to be changing, including that her father moved out a week earlier without her noticing.
Autumn explains they told her over dinner, using reassuring clichés that made her feel infantilized. Jamie apologizes for missing her call the previous night, explaining he was at a movie with Sasha; Autumn brusquely says it’s fine, masking hurt.
When Jamie offers breakfast, Autumn declines, asking him instead to come over and hold her. Seeking reassurance, she asks if he will ever leave her. Jamie promises he won’t. They end the call with mutual declarations of love, and Autumn watches the rain, waiting for his comfort.
Who Appears
- AutumnNarrator; devastated by her parents’ divorce, seeks comfort and reassurance from Jamie.
- JamieAutumn’s boyfriend; missed her initial call, promises not to leave, and comes to support her.
- Autumn’s fatherHas already moved into a downtown apartment; part of the divorce announcement.
- Autumn’s motherDelivers the divorce news with Autumn’s father, offering standard reassurances.