Project Heartbreak
Just the presence, when possible, was enough.
Jax developed a ritual. Every time he returned after a string of away games, he’d arrive bearing gifts. For Orhan, it was always something practical yet coveted: a pair of limited-edition cleats, a high-tech training bag, a ball used in a professional match, a box of chocolates. For me, the offerings were more intimate: a single, perfect peony; a cashmere scarf so soft it felt like a cloud; a vintage camera; a new pair of glasses, lighter and frameless; a set of expensive pens for my notes; fuzzy socks for cold nights when I’d come home with my feet aching. He stocked our fridge with groceries and filled the cabinets with snacks.