The Table of Contents Cover: Picture by Seth Akakpo-Lado Question Mark Exclamation Point - short story by Patrick Bowey .......... 3 Scrivener Journey - poetry by Sam Davis .......... 34 Sandwiched Between Oreos - short story by Ian Normile .......... 35 Whole - poetry by Andrew Kafoury .......... 36 artwork by Alex Trunko .......... 37 Spring Ray’s Trip to the Pharmacy - short story by Isaac Williams .......... 38 Ascent - artwork by Christian Weishaar .......... 42 The Dance - short story by John Higgins .......... 43 artwork by Jacob Stange .......... 47 2015 Ode to a Muni Bond - poetry by Mr. Andy Lange .......... 50 Work in the Field - artwork by Angelo Marcallini .......... 51 The Water - short story by Suneh Bhakta .......... 52 1 The De Smet Jesuit High School Literary Sad Child artwork by Connor Larson .......... 56 Magazine Editor John Higgins Moderator Robert Hutchison Special Thanks to Laurie Kohler and Emily Dames ‘Then why isn’t he here’ he out of anxiety. Someone next to Little Green Men thought. Back up in his room, him, a kid, no older then 17, pulled Timmy’s attitude reverted to its out a small silver cross from under cheerful innocent self as he com- his shirt, kissed it like it were the by Jonathan Strickland menced with the grand battle he love of his life, and quickly tucked had orchestrated. Waves of little it away. His lips mouthed a short Little Timmy sat alone in his kitchen; the dining room was too green men collided against a brick prayer as he stared blankly at his bedroom; a summer breeze flowed big for just the two of them. “When wall of grey soldiers. “We’re losing boots. Thinking it might be his through an open window rustling you finish eating and clean up men!” Timmy said in a deep tone. last chance to do so, the young curtains and papers alike. Sit- your bowl then you can go back to Followed by various bangs and man pulled out a small photograph ting cross-legged on the oak floor, your toys okay?” pew-pew-pews Timmy said again from his pocket; a boy, his son, Timmy admired his most recent in the disgruntled voice, “We need smiled at him with all the joy and creation: two large armies of toy “Okay mama!” Timmy piped as to push them back! You, you, and innocence any child should have. soldiers stood opposite each other he sat in the chair opposite her. you with me!” He grabbed the “Hey Richie!” a man behind on an imaginary battlefield, one soldiers to whom he had called him shouted over the roaring army green, and the other grey. “So are you excited to start and pushed them forward into winds, “Helluva vacation eh?” Making sure not to knock any of kindergarten honey?” His mother enemy lines. One figurine stood Richard felt a strong hand pat his them over, Timmy stood up and, asked. out in front of the group; Timmy’s soldier. “We’re gonna be okay man, assuming the role of General for hands whipped around knock- “Do I have to go mama, can’t I just get up the beach fast as you the green army, gave a hardy ing over grey troops in the man’s just stay home?” can, you’ll see your boy again I salute. He then knelt down and wake as he cut them down almost promise!” Suddenly, an explosion was about to start what seemed to single-handedly. His comrades fell “No sweetie, you and all the rattled the boat to its core, gears be the battle of the century in his all around him as he continued other boys and girls have to go.” started spinning, and the front bedroom when his mother called onward. They both enjoyed a hefty bowl of wall of the vessel dropped. from the kitchen. soup and Timmy did as his mother A young man stood cramped asked and cleaned up his dishes “OUT, OUT, OUT!” one of the “Timmy! Lunch is ready, come inside a small iron boat, sur- after they were both finished. Be- soldiers cried. Bullets snapped wash up!” Her somber tone went rounded by younger and older men fore galloping back up to his room, through the floating coffin as both unnoticed by Timmy as he was too who all looked just as uneasy as Timmy waited a moment. boys and men charged out onto the perplexed with the plastic spec- he. The sky was a dusty grey as sloppy red sands of France; the tacle on the floor. they sloshed forward towards an “Mama, when is Papa coming equally gloomy beach. Ocean spray whole place smelled of death and home?” he questioned. His mother “Just a minute mama!” He regularly covered the huddled nothing could be heard above the stopped washing her bowl and shouted, hoping she could under- men, and off on the distant sands unending drone of gunfire. Rich- placed it on the counter beside her. stand that he was desperately they could hear the crackles of ard ducked his head and charged She leaned her hands on the sink needed to command his soldiers. gunfire and thuds of explosions; forward, sand spat up at his heels and took a deep breath. the closer they crept the louder it as he dove behind a jack-shaped “Not in a minute, now Timo- all grew. hunk of metal where a group “It’s bad luck to ask that thy!” She countered. With a sigh of still-breathing bodies were Timmy. You’re daddy Richard’s do- of momentary defeat, Timmy went “Door drops in 30!” a deep huddled. The men he was with ing some real good work for those downstairs to eat voice shouted from a heightened only moments ago were gone; they kind folks across the ocean; they seat at the back of the boat, his either didn’t make it out of the “I made your favorite chicken need his help. Now go play, and hands clamped around a small Higgins at all or were torn apart soup dear,” she was seated at know that your papa loves you steering wheel. The young man by heavy German machineguns. a small table they kept in the more than anything in the world.” looked over his gear one last time The boat itself had been engulfed Timmy walked out without a word. Invest by Mr. Andy Lange Invest when you’re young Uncle Sam does allow Tax-free it will grow If you pay taxes now No thank you tax man I’ll keep what is mine Go get someone else Keep your 1099 Money markets and CDs artwork by Zachary Katigbak I guess but no thanks in a hellish flame. “Thank you sweetie, I’m glad Need no FDIC you like it.” She smiled wide at Leave those at the banks “Move up the beach! Get to him and they continued eating. that seawall NOW!” an older man “Are you excited for your first day At Merrill, Schwab, or Ed Jones boomed. of second grade tomorrow?” she You will find asked. An account just for you “Fuck this I’m staying!” an- It’s one-of-a-kind other man shouted back. “Oh boy am I, Joe and Dillan are going to be there and we’re Stocks and bonds; ETFs “If you stay here you DIE here going to have lots of fun.” he excit- Many investments to try corporal! Now move!” edly responded. Tax-sheltered returns Can grow to the sky “MORTARS!” “You’ll have a wonderful time,” his mother affirmed, “I just know Richie heard the blood- Retirement savers unite it.” After they finished, Timmy curdling cry too late as the world We’re well on our way was cleaning their bowls and cups erupted under his feet. The vehicle for us while his mother wiped off the Is a Roth IRA Timmy and his mother sat table. down for dinner. “I made chicken “Hey mama,” Timmy said soup.” His mom said tenderly, softly. “your favorite.” They both sat with full bowls and ate in silence. “Yes dear?” Breaking the quiet tension, “When is papa coming home?” Timmy spoke up, “the soup is deli- cious mama.” again. Louder than before. excruciating pain I have ever felt. I had Santa Claus Isn’t to limp the rest of the way through the “Magic?” Jordan said, still woods. laughing. “I can’t believe you still Coming to Town believe in this baloney! You are such a When I got out of the woods, I child!” saw that I beat him back to the house. I limped back to our house and I waited by Christopher Noonan Tommy, with tears in his awhile for him to come home and talk eyes, pushed Jordan out of the way and to him about this whole Santa Claus My name is Brian. I was in sixth was just about to be dropped on my lit- started running. I got up from my chair business. I must have waited for hours. grade. Christmas was coming around. I tle brother. The truth about Santa Claus. and went up to Jordan. “What the heck Where the hell was he? Did he get lost was so happy I could barely hold in my I wanted to get up and stop Jordan right man! Why did you do that?” in the storm? I just waited and hoped he excitement. It was very rainy at school then and there. But for some reason, was ok. I wanted to go look for him by one day, so for recess I just hung around I couldn’t move.