If He Had Been with Me
by Laura Nowlin
Contents
Chapter 55
Overview
Finny reveals his father’s new family and asks Autumn about Thanksgiving plans, unsettling her but not displacing their tradition: he will still visit her family later. A close, instructive moment over pool underscores their unresolved intimacy, with Finny taking the blame for a missed shot.
Summary
Autumn and Finny play pool as they talk. Finny brings up Thanksgiving, explaining that his father has invited him to meet his wife and their four-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. Autumn feels a pang of jealousy and displacement but keeps asking measured questions.
Autumn worries this means Finny won’t spend the holiday with her family. Finny clarifies he will still come by later for “cocktails and leftovers,” which visibly relieves Autumn and subtly reaffirms their longstanding tradition.
As Autumn continues to struggle at pool, Finny moves behind her to adjust her stance and grip. The intimate contact heightens their unspoken tension. They miss the shot; when Autumn blames herself, Finny insists the mistake was his, taking responsibility and leaving the moment charged but unresolved.
Who Appears
- AutumnNarrator playing pool with Finny; relieved he’ll attend her family’s Thanksgiving; feels threatened by his new half sister; stirred by intimate coaching.
- FinnyReveals father’s wife and four-year-old daughter Elizabeth; plans split Thanksgiving; coaches Autumn at pool, creating tension; claims responsibility for the missed shot.