Author's Note: For the
750 Word Project 2022
.
---
Petrichor. The earthy smell that follows the rain.
It was my favourite scent when I was young. I used to stand out on the verandah, listening to the rain on top of the iron sheeting as the wind threatened to tear it away. My eyes closed, smelling the drought parched soil drink it in.
The endless fields of grain are gone now. The old family place is torn down. Yet, when the rains finally come, you still find me standing outside, listening to the fury of the skies cascade down, and smelling the hungry soil drinking it in.
That's where I lost my virginity. You and me, lying on the verandah, in the cold, with not a damned idea what we were doing. You, too excited to stay firm in my hand. My mouth too clumsy to know how to give you the right encouragement.
You, trying to push down on top and follow through with my lustful demands. Trying to appear the confident man and not the nervous virgin, too embarrassed to admit they didn't know what to do. Too scared to ask for advice and what might feel better than pushing a rope down a dry hallway.
It hurt, we kissed. We tried things until we were sweaty and lying there on the creaking wood. Nestled in each other's arms and dreaming about trying it again. And again. And again.
I still remember the smell. Petrichor, cum and sweat. There's no more nostalgic a scent, to me.
Now, when the rain comes rolling in over the town... I look over at you, with whatever you're doing. Sitting on the couch playing a game, working in your office, or cooking us dinner. The clock stops.
You see my smile.