“Cold Burgers,” Fiction by Eve’Lynn Jackson Sun and the Sea, Artwork by Alexa Theuerling…………………………43 “Never Ending Noise,” Poem by Abby Crim……………………………44 They Thought So, Artwork by Emma Garner……………………………45

Cold Burgers

Fiction by Eve’Lynn Jackson

"They do this to me every time I come here!" my Grandma shouted as I drove off from the drive-thru window. I laughed. "They do what?" I questioned, knowing what she was about to say to me. "They always give me a cold burger," she said as she began to eat the burger anyway. I smiled to stop myself from laughing. "So, you're telling me that they see you and say let's give her a cold burger," I said as I kept my eyes on the road. "Yes," she responded. The seriousness in her voice caused laughter to explode from me. "How would they see you, from the car," I questioned. She put the sandwich back in the McDonald's bag. "Evie, they have cameras in the drive-thru," she said. I nodded. "I know that grandma but I don't think they can see that far in the car," I said as I turned into our driveway. Once up the driveway, I put the car in park. I exited the car and walked over to the passenger seat to help her out of the car. As I helped her out of the car, we continued our conversation. "That place always gives me a cold sandwich, so what am I supposed to think huh," Grandma said as I helped her to the kitchen. Once seated, I put her sandwich in the microwave. "I don't know grandma but they do not have x-ray vision cameras," I said. Once the sandwich was warm, I moved her sandwich onto a plate and sat it in front of her. "Well, thanks for the outing Evie, I needed the fresh air," Grandma said as she began to eat the now warm burger. "Anytime Grandma," I said before I left the kitchen. I would do anything for that woman because she would do the same for me.<3

Sun and the Sea, Artwork by Alexa Theuerling

Never Ending Noise

Poem by Abby Crim

They do this to me every time they come in here. When I am reading, writing, cooking, or just craving some peace and quiet. Every time they come in here my focus fades and the intrusive thoughts push their way in. Every time they come in here all I can think about is pushing them away. “Am I going crazy?”, I ask myself. Every time they come in here my mind races faster and faster. Every time they come in here my brain goes on and on until I don’t even remember how the story started. Every time they come in here, I just want to shut down… and most times I do. I succumb to the never-ending noise in my head. The never-ending chatter, worries, regrets, thoughts, until they fade hours later when they drown me into a dreamless sleep. Just to wake me hours later or if I am lucky, they hold off until the morning. Only to return the next day sending me into a never-ending spiral. Again, I ask myself “Am I going crazy?” The constant noise that goes on and on in my head always does that to me. They do this to me every time they come in here.

They Thought So, Artwork by Emma Garner

Memoir to One’s Inner Self

Poem by Errol Richardson

Hey mama How you been I just want to let you know Life has been a whirlwind Never knowing which way to go My life is nothing but rain and snow Slippery days And roadblocks every day Whether it's my girlfriend, contemplating if she wants to stay Or me just watching life drift away I feel like I'm a passenger While God drives away

II Hey mama what's the move today I feel like a stray Idk where life going to take me But I'm drifting away Mama, I need you My love has gone away She doesn't want me because I'm stuck in my ways

III I'm just stressed I feel like everything is a test

I feel like I'm fighting to stay afloat But they always want to sink my boat I hit the rocks and my ship never seems to stay afloat It's like my life is one big joke One day they hope I choke But it's no longer a joke I just want to change so she keeps hope Maybe I'm the one So, she keeps me afloat

IV Hey mama I need your help I'm on my last life And I may have no hope Mama what do I do If she seems to not want me too Well look for a girl that's true to you Everyone has one It's just up to you to find her But some just never do

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Initiated in January 2005, Lions-on-Line is a literally collection of works by the students and alumni of Mount St. Joseph University published online with the cooperation of the Liberal Arts Department. Lions-on-Line is published online twice yearly, during the fall and spring semesters. When our budget allows, Lions-onLine goes “in print”. We take submissions during all twelve months of the year.

If you are currently affiliated with Mount St. Joseph and you would like to see your work published, you may submit your work to LOL simply by emailing poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction or artwork to LOL@msj.edu. For full submission guidelines, consult our website. Lions-on-Line is always looking for new staff members. If you’re interested in joining LOL, please contact faculty advisor, Elizabeth Taryn Mason, Ph.D. at the following email address: elizabeth.mason@msj.edu.

Editors and Staff

Editors: Miah Harvey Kayla Hess Eve’Lynn Jackson Chloe-Rose Ramsey William Sack Rachel Winkler

Faculty Advisor: Elizabeth Taryn Mason

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