Summary

The short story “Early Autumn” by Langston Hughes shows the accidental encounter of a former couple, Bill and Mary, who used to be in love years before. Then, something happened and the two had broken up. Mary had married a man whom she had believed she was in love with and Bill had left, feeling disappointed in women in general.

One day, Mary meets Bill in Washington Square and approaches him. At first, he does not recognize her because she looks older. However, he realizes who she is and asks her what she is doing there. Mary thinks he will greet her with a kiss on the cheek, but he shakes her hand instead.

Mary tells Bill that she now lives in New York, which upsets Bill a little. They then continue to make small talk and catch up with eac...