In Richard Ford's "The Sportswriter," the author explores the profound emotions tied to romantic relationships. The experience of having someone you admire thinking of you can evoke a powerful sense of hope and connection. This bond brings warmth and anticipation, underscoring the uplifting power of love and affection.

On the flip side, the absence of this affection can lead to a deep sense of despair. The feeling of knowing that a significant woman has stopped thinking about you—often due to one's own mistakes—can be overwhelmingly isolating. It is a stark realization that can be likened to the jarring moment when one sees nothing but emptiness outside an airplane window, highlighting how acute loneliness can feel in such situations.