Excellent A widower's love for his wife Etheridge by Aisha Robins Newbie Flash Fiction contest entry Artwork by Cindy Sue Truman at FanArtReview.com

In phlegm-green overalls, Etheridge swipes at spiders’ handiwork on cellar stairs. “Solemn policeman,” four letters. “Webb!” He cackles, turns. Get it, Charlotte? Web!  No giggles, just empty air. He shuffles size twelve Hushpuppies across concrete to the workbench, reaches into blackness beneath with a once-muscled arm. Grey stubble and the very tip of a single strand of comb-over connects with wood-dust ghosts of doll house furniture. Enough longing to pull a heavy box into bare-bulb light. Photos A couple still young in an ornate frame. His smile is pleased as punch. Her smile is shy. “Ah, Charlotte. Not long now.” Author Notes "Etheridge" came out of nowhere - as do most of my ideas. I shortened it from a 243-word exercise I wrote in 2020.

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