If He Had Been with Me
by Laura Nowlin
Contents
Chapter 31
Overview
On a slow summer day, Autumn and Sasha walk to the drugstore, turning errands into ritual. Sasha reveals she plans to break up with Alex, saying love has faded into friendship. Autumn feels jealousy, smugness, worry, and sadness, but offers support. Their bond steadies amid changing relationships.
Summary
On a sweltering summer day, Autumn and Sasha choose to walk to the drugstore to make time stretch, anticipating magazines, candy, and the cool air inside. Their plan centers on talking, the true point of being together.
After Autumn recounts a date with Jamie, a rare quiet falls. Sasha, staring ahead, says she has something to tell Autumn: she intends to break up with Alex. Autumn reels through competing reactions—jealousy, smugness that her relationship with Jamie persists, worry for Alex, and surprise—while asking why.
Sasha explains she still loves Alex “in a way,” but the romance is gone; their connection feels like old friendship. Autumn argues that long-term relationships can feel that way and fears Sasha is discarding something lasting. Sasha insists she is not in love and asks for Autumn’s support.
Autumn apologizes for her initial resistance, admits her surprise and sadness, and hugs Sasha in the heat. The friends resume their walk and planned rituals, their conversation rebalanced by Autumn’s decision to stand by Sasha even as her own feelings remain complicated.
Who Appears
- AutumnNarrator; spends a summer day with Sasha, hears her breakup decision, feels mixed emotions but chooses to support her.
- SashaAutumn’s close friend; reveals she plans to end things with Alex because the romance has faded.
- AlexSasha’s boyfriend; offstage subject of her planned breakup as their love feels like mere friendship.
- JamieAutumn’s boyfriend; mentioned in Autumn’s recounting of last night’s date, prompting the conversation’s lull.