If He Had Been with Me
by Laura Nowlin
Contents
Chapter 74
Overview
Autumn meets her father for lunch, where he offers to help with her college move-in, exposing tension over his role versus her mother’s. He brings up Jamie, and Autumn insists she is fine. Back home, Autumn resists calling Finny, choosing to wait for him, underscoring her uncertainty and pride.
Summary
Autumn meets her father at a downtown restaurant. He offers to clear his schedule to accompany Autumn and her mother for college move-in, framing it as optional and dependent on her wishes. Autumn pushes back, questioning why his presence is negotiable while her mother’s is mandatory, revealing resentment about parental roles.
The conversation stalls until Autumn’s father mentions Jamie. Autumn, startled, minimizes the breakup and insists she is not upset, though the exchange exposes her discomfort and her father’s limited awareness of her emotional state.
After lunch, Autumn goes home and pointedly does not call Finny. She tries to write and nap but remains restless. Determined to let Finny make the next move, she waits for his call as the afternoon slips by, highlighting her ambivalence and need for reassurance.
Who Appears
- AutumnProtagonist; debates parental involvement in her move-in, denies hurt about Jamie, and waits for Finny to call.
- Autumn’s dadOffers to help with dorm move-in; triggers tension over parental roles and raises the topic of Jamie.
- JamieEx-boyfriend; mentioned by Autumn’s dad, prompting Autumn’s denial that she is upset.
- FinnyAbsent but on Autumn’s mind; she refrains from calling and waits for him to reach out.