A Box, a Jersey, and a Goodbye

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He could still remember the moment she gave him that little box. It was wrapped with a tiny gold bow, and even though he was never the smartest one between them — that was always her — he could tell how excited she was. Thinking back, it was crazy how young they were then. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet somehow, it also felt like yesterday.

Now, they sat together in his mom’s old 2008 Camry. The windows fogged up from the cold, Ohio winter air. Sure, the car wasn't anything fancy, especially parked in the CAK airport’s cell phone lot. But it still worked, and that was enough. When he first got the keys, it felt like the whole world was open to them. But a tank of gas can only take you so far, even in a Camry.

He thought back to the day he opened that little box. She had laughed like a maniac as he ripped through the wrapping paper, not even stopping to notice the color. Inside was a jersey, rolled up neatly. She always teased him for burning his old LeBron jersey in anger years ago. He never regretted that, but this new jersey—this one he wore proudly every game that season. She had said things would be different now. And she was right. She was always right.

He shifted in his seat, wanting to turn the heat up. She always insisted on arriving too early for flights—a habit she said she got from her dad. She was resting in the passenger seat, her skin glowing from one sunny semester spent down in Florida. Even surrounded by the harsh, frozen world of Ohio winter, she looked peaceful, like she belonged somewhere warmer.

She had finally gotten that letter — the one she had dreamed about for so long. She called it her ticket out. And it truly was. She had always hated the cold, gray life of the Rust Belt. Only once before had he seen her smile that big. It seemed perfect that the acceptance letter’s colors were wine and gold.

Without thinking, he scratched at the jersey he had thrown on over his hoodie when he went to pick her up. It felt right somehow. She stirred a little next to him. The clock on the dashboard told him it was almost time.

“Morning, sunshine,” he said with a quiet smile.

She checked her watch and leaned her head back against the fogged-up window. For a second, he hoped she would fall back asleep. Maybe if she stayed asleep, she wouldn’t have to leave. Maybe if time just stopped, things wouldn’t have to change.

But she didn’t fall back asleep. She opened her eyes, and he shifted the car into drive. They drove in silence — the kind of silence that was never awkward between them. He liked it. She liked it, too. She always said she enjoyed just watching the world pass by.

Sometimes, she would ask him where he thought all the other travelers were heading — the cars on the freeway, the planes overhead. He always guessed they were going to Cleveland or Cincinnati. She always guessed somewhere warm. Always.

When they reached the airport’s departure lane, she reached for the door handle but hesitated. Their eyes met. In that moment, he noticed a shade of auburn in her eyes that he had never truly appreciated before. A perfect mix of gold and wine.

He knew that look. He had seen it once before. And somehow, he knew he would never see it again.

“Fly safe,” he said, voice cracking a little.

“I will,” she answered with a soft smile. For a tiny moment, the excitement in her eyes flickered with something else — sadness, maybe. Then she stepped out of the car and disappeared into the airport.

And just like that, she was gone.


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Author's Note:
Most of my writing usually leans toward fantasy or science fiction. This time, I wanted to tell a simple, human story — no spaceships, no magic. Just two young people and a moment they’ll never forget. Even though I’m not a big basketball fan or from Ohio, this story was inspired by a song that made me feel something real.

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