Echoes of Belonging and Identity on Stolen Land

where are you parents, she asks.

I drift away, my thoughts elsewhere. My dad died three weeks ago, I want to tell her. Is that going to freak her out, we just met.

I take too long to respond, so she repeats the question.

‘Well my mum lives in Melbourne and my dad died.

I opt out of saying how recent, afraid she would run away in a panic. Run away from the girl in the Dead Dad Club . . .