If He Had Been with Me
by Laura Nowlin
Contents
Chapter 14
Overview
Autumn spends July 4th at the fair with friends and Jamie, then leaves to watch fireworks with her family. Finny arrives with Sylvie, creating quiet tension. A shared memory with Finny resurfaces their history, and Autumn recognizes conflicting desires—wanting time alone with Jamie or with Finny—intensifying her internal conflict.
Summary
On July 4th, Autumn and her friends attend the small town fair as four couples, with Angie introducing her Hazelwood boyfriend, Mike. At the petting zoo, Autumn bonds with a baby goat she names Augusta; Finny and Sylvie pass by, and Finny quietly laughs at the sight of Autumn cradling the goat. After enduring the heat at Sasha’s, Autumn leaves the group to meet her family for the fireworks, promising Jamie she will call later.
At the lakeside, Autumn joins her mother, father, and Aunt Angelina. Aunt Angelina mentions Finny saw Autumn with the goat, and soon Finny arrives with Sylvie, introducing her to Autumn’s father. Autumn ends up seated next to Sylvie and Finny, feeling the awkward closeness and the intrusion on what was meant to be a family moment.
While waiting for the fireworks, Sylvie makes small talk about time passing slowly. Autumn offers a thoughtful observation about anticipation and perception, and Finny engages. A shared memory surfaces when Finny mentions fishing at the lake, prompting both to recall their childhood “frozen fish,” briefly reconnecting them over their past.
As the fireworks begin, Autumn grows quiet while Sylvie leans on Finny, and the couple whispers together. Autumn imagines being with Jamie elsewhere in the park and aches for him, yet she also realizes she wants to be alone with Finny. Startled by this dual desire, Autumn looks away, insisting to herself that she loves Jamie as the night sky fades.
Who Appears
- AutumnNarrator; enjoys the fair, bonds with a baby goat, joins family for fireworks, and confronts conflicted feelings about Finny while missing Jamie.
- FinnyArrives with Sylvie; teases Autumn about the goat; shares a childhood fishing memory; his presence stirs Autumn’s unresolved feelings.
- SylvieFinny’s girlfriend; attends fireworks, makes small talk, leans on Finny, underscoring Autumn’s discomfort and jealousy.
- JamieAutumn’s boyfriend; spends the fair with her, parts before fireworks; his absence makes Autumn ache and highlights her divided heart.
- Aunt AngelinaFinny’s mother; notes Finny’s report about Autumn and the goat; part of the family fireworks gathering.
- Autumn’s father (Uncle Tom)Meets Sylvie; hosts the family fireworks outing; shares a quiet, observant presence.
- Autumn’s motherAttends the fireworks with the family, appearing happier and affectionate with Autumn’s father.
- AngieFriend in the group at the fair; introduces her Hazelwood boyfriend to everyone.
- MikeAngie’s Hazelwood boyfriend; joins the group as one of the couples at the fair.
- SashaFriend whose place the group returns to between fair and fireworks.
- AlexFriend who jokes as Autumn parts with the goat at the petting zoo.