RECONNECTION: OutStanding Short Story Competition

by Winners 2020, Jewel Swe, Max Hayward

You didn’t expect to see her again. You didn’t even expect to be back in Fremantle again, the wind-blown, salty-aired place of your childhood. Not after what happened that summer, in the sweltering January heat. But here you are and here she is, as round-cheeked and freckled as you remember. Both of you standing in front of the Honey Shack in the markets, stock still as you blink at each other. “Amy?” she says, just as surprised as you are. Her thick brown hair is longer now, reaching past her waist. She’s taller than you, unexpectedly. You always adored her small stature. You were a lanky giant next to her. “Yeah,” you say. You swallow, remembering the summer when you threw caution to the wind. More than you should have. You’re surprised she didn’t just ignore you now. “It’s been years.” (From Bittersweet Honey by Jewel Swe) Reconnection was the Theme for the 2020 OutStanding Short Story Competition, Australia's premier LGBTQIA+ literary event. There was less diversity of interpretation than in recent years, with very many entries taking a similar reconnection with a significant person from one's pre-coming out life, a close friend, a crush or even a first lover. Maybe this is an aspect of queer life that's widely shared yet rarely acknowledged? Meaning the wonderful stories in this compilation could evoke powerful, deep-seated resonance amongst its readers.

24 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2020