‘Home’ short story in Meanjin (Vol 82 No3 | Spring 2023)
The front door swings open and my big, jolly dad’s face dissolves from a wide grin into tears in the space of a few seconds. I drop my backpack on the landing of the stairs as he pulls me into a hug, and my eyes are wet too. Pressed into his chest, I breathe deeply. He smells like aftershave, motor oil and Solvol soap; like Dad.