% replaces any number of letters (la% - lake, lamp)_ replaces one letter (ca_ - car, cat)

Crossword clues for space on the left

AnswerClue
CHANCESpace left of Short Line
SLASHESSpaces left by lumberjacks
INDENTSpace on the left
BSIXSpace in the left row of a game card
CHESHIRECATCharacter whose incorporeal grin prompted the quote in the shaded spaces (reading upper and then lower arcs, left to right)
PUTARINGONITSingle Ladies (____), and a hint to the four pairs of--DAMMIT! I left a whole ding dang finger out of this theme. MASSIVE oversight. Sorry sorry sorry. I'll fix this by tomorrow. Watch this space.