Tag: Husband

Short Story

Eulogy

The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Fandango’s Story Starter #154

“’It wasn’t that long ago when Ethan was rarely bothered by mosquitos, but this year he’s being eaten alive by them’.”  

I wrote that in my diary just a few weeks ago.

Thank you all for joining us today as we say ‘farewell’ to my beloved husband, Ethan 
. another innocent victim struck down in the prime of life by the dastardly mosquito. Ethan was attacked last week while bringing out the trash for pick-up in the morning; it was just a quick run to the curb but he didn’t have his EpiPen on him. Who knew just a few moments later he’d be in cardiac arrest from anaphylactic shock?

Ethan was never bothered by mosquitos before and at first it was just an annoying surprise when he started developing a reaction a few months ago. The change in him was sudden and drastic and, as much as I will miss him, I’m so thankful his time of suffering was short.

Doctors can’t say whether this is a genetic trait, if our children Evan, Ella and Emily will develop this horrible allergy. To help our children realize the seriousness of this situation and to protect them, Ethan has left them his award-winning collection of swatters, his supply of EpiPens, his boxes of citronella candles, his stash of DEET and, of course, his journal.

When the allergic reactions started, Ethan began writing down his thoughts; as a poet, he wrote some of his best work over the recent months. He was most evocative in his agony.

In closing I would like to read one of his most poignant poems. It’s called ‘Ode To The Mosquito’. And please .
 next time you see a mosquito, ask yourselves ‘What would Ethan do?’“

Ode To The Mosquito

How can such a little thing
Be so damn annoying?
Flying round my arms and legs
It’s bothersome and cloying.

Go away, you vile thing
I’ll swat you with a stick.
You’re not welcome in my home
You nasty little prick!

Who would think that tiny guy
Could be such a bloody sucker?
When he sticks his fangs in me
I scream “You Motherf*#+er!”

You get me every time I’m out;
My blood is extra sweet.
Come and get me, little twit!
Tonight I’m packing DEET!

The end. 🩟

NAR©2024
Poem originally posted 2022

Fandango’s Story Starter #154

This is “The Mosquito” by The Doors

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

Flash

Halcyon Days

The Sicilian Storyteller

Written for Friday Fictioneers.
The challenge: to write a story of 100 words or less,
as inspired by the photo prompt below. Here is my story.

Photo Prompt © Susan Rouchard

After the wake, a few of us went back to our sister-in-law’s house. A question tap-danced in my brain: now that my husband’s brother was dead, was his widow still our sister-in-law or will she eventually be erased from the familial slate, ties severed, connections lost?

The room which they call ‘the office’ was a confusion of books, photo albums and memorabilia piled high like Babel.

Flipping through yellowed snapshots, we spotted her, the widow, in every image 
. halcyon days when we all spoke the language of youth and happiness 
. and my question was answered.

She is family.

NAR©2024
100 Words

12 April 2024

This is Jim Capaldi with “Old Photographs”

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.