Castings 2021 - 2021

LITERARY ART JOURNAL

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Castings is the undergraduate journal of literature and fine arts at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN. We publish fiction, poetry, nonfiction essays, humor, photography, fine art, cartoons & comix by CBU students from across the university. We also host an annual Castings Awards competition and reading series. See our submission guidelines for details. ©2020 Castings is an inhouse academic publication and does not claim first serial rights to the submissions. However, art, poetry, and prose may not be reproduced except for limited classroom use without the written permission of the contributor. Front matter and graphic designs are the property of Castings and may not be reproduced without written permission from Castings.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

10 Things I Hate About Soup

by Chris Wright....................................................................................pg.2 United We Stand

by Andrea Garcia.................................................................................pg.3 Dia a Dia

by Sanya Arrendondo.......................................................................pg.4 Gas Station

by Oscar Zenoteno..............................................................................pg. 7 New Beginnings

by Sydeny Ritter.....................................................................................pg.8 Six People You Inevitably meet at The Gym

by Josey Chumney..............................................................................pg.10

Drunken Masters and a Lackluster Breakfast

by Reily Johnson...................................................................................pg.12 Untold Truth

by Bria Dyer............................................................................................pg.14 Finger Guns

by Grace Guetschow.........................................................................pg. 14

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DIA A DIA

Sanya Arrendondo

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10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT SOUP

Chris Wright

I hate that I only have soup as an excuse to eat bread.

I hate it that I should’ve gone and got a sandwich instead.

I hate the way that I can’t decide if what I am doing is eating or drinking.

I hate that soup always ends up staining my microwave’s ceiling.

I hate how soup burned her tongue on our first date.

I hate how you couldn’t comfort her and how you made me wait.

I hate cold days and the way your warmness makes me feel.

I hate it that it was you that was our last meal.

I hate the fact that you are no longer balanced on my lap in your bowl, But mostly, I hate the fact that I don’t hate you, not even French onion you, not even miso you, not any soup at all.

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UNITED WE STAND

Andrea Garcia

Why is the world so different?

Why always criticize?

Why care of the color instead of each other?

Why destroy a kid’s dream because of his ethnicity ?

Do you have no empathy?

Why destroy the hopes of a little girl in her face?

Instead of cheering her on like it’s a big race?

I’ll do what I want I’ll say what I want Know thee can never control me I’ll fight for them too Together united we stand in front of you Those that have fallen rise Together we’ll love instead of despise Just love no hate We’ll be treated equally no more gates No more hate No more violence No more criticizing We’ll be known as one which is the human race Then a little girl came to me and asked What does thee see in me?

I answered I only see the sorrow that grows and the pain that does not go She looked at me with sadness in her eyes listen to her rhymes Never fear what you cannot hear Never see what cannot be Do6not hate what you cannot bait but only love the one that almighty and great

GAS STATION Oscar Zenteno

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NEW BEGINNINGS

Sydeny Ritter

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SIX PEOPLE YOU INEVITABLY MEET AT THE GYM

by Josey Chumney

LeAnn (The Snake in the Grass)

Staceys are young, but not too young, and look at least six

“Excuse me hun, do you mind showing me how to turn on

years older than their actual age. They are never seen with-

this machine?

out their knock-off Hydro Flasks and coordinating athletic

I keep hitting the play-pause button, but nothing is hap-

wear from last season (Nike and Lululemon are the accept-

pening.” LeAnns are always in their mid-to-late 50s. Very

able brands). Staceys are only ever on treadmills, stair-step-

perky, very vocal. They choose machines immediately

pers, or in the squatting zone. Even after exercising for an

next to other females so conversation can flow more easi-

hour, Staceys always look photo ready. When asked about

ly. However, when desperate, males are sufficient enough.

how they combat sweat, one Stacey replied, “Oh, I never

To initiate conversation, they employ clever sarcasms

sweat. I only glisten. It’s my natural highlighter.”

like “I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I am a little too young and pretty to be at the gym,” or “If only exercising

Brian (The Ninja Turtle)

my mind counted as exercise. Then I’d really be cooking

“No, no, yeah, you’re right. Bros who skip leg day are defi-

with grease!” When these rousing topics go on deaf ears,

nitely pussies.” Brians are men in their 30s who definitely

LeAnns employ their secret weapon: asking for help. They

skip leg day. Their shoulders have shoulders who have

know, once the eye contact is made and the help is given,

more shoulders. Brians are confident and proud of their

they will be impossible to ignore. In order to survive an en-

bodies. They want you to notice them. They like to sprint

counter with a LeAnn, it is best to smile, nod, and leave your

on the treadmill directly in front of Staceys, but never

machine as soon as there is a break in the conversation.

LeAnns. Brians believe this masculine display of virility

If there seems to be no end to her desperate ramblings,

will cause Staceys to immediately strip their compression

pretend to be winded, hop off of your machine, and move

shorts and jump their bones. Brians also think they are

to one that works out your biceps. She will be intimidated

crafty. They like to leisurely jog behind Staceys, but never

by this “macho” switch (her word, not mine) and focus her

LeAnns, to check out their asses. The Rachels all know what

attention on a Stacey three treadmills down.

they are doing. The Staceys know but choose to ignore it in hopes the Brians will approach them and offer to bench

Stacey (The Wannabe) “Some do good by researching the cure for cancer or going

10 I tone my body for the ‘Gram. green.

Everyone has their own part to play.”

press their body weight (#gymlove, #meetcute, #GOALs).

Rachel (That Tired Girl)

Brians when Staceys get lost in the weight section on their

“…” Rachels vary in age. Some are in their 20s and feel

way to the squatting zone. Ways to ward off Cliffs include,

peer-pressured into meeting society’s standard for beauty.

but are not limited to, mention your hemorrhoid, mention

Some are in their 30s, have a stable job, and feel peer-pres-

Ellen, mention your affinity for witchcraft, mention drag

sured into meeting society’s standard for beauty. Others

queens, mention your collection of sock puppets (don’t

are in their 40s, have had a divorce, have a stable job, and

forget to say their names), or mention any topic related to

feel peer-pressured into meeting society’s standard for

feminism or female empowerment.

beauty. All are very perceptive but sad. They don’t say much. Only the incessant gasping can be heard from their direction. LeAnns are a Rachel’s worst nightmare. The

Jo (The Bitch)

stress of speaking paralyzes them but the fear of being rude

“Fuck everyone here. Fuck the gym.”

is stronger, so they try to carry on these meaningless con-

Jos are badass women who see through the bullshit that is

versations. Usually, they go something like this:

the gym. Jos use whatever machine they want with no re-

“Hey, there! Don’t mind me, I’m just going to park my tush

gard to who is around them. When Cliffs swarm at the leg

in the seat next to yours. Hope that’s fine. You must come

press to comment on their form, Jos send them backtrack-

here often. There’s no way I could pedal that fast. I can’t

ing with colorful phrases like “Who the fuck called you

even ride a bike! Can you imagine, me, a woman of my

over, Ron Swanson lookin’ ass?” or “I’m sorry, did my head-

age, (and don’t you try to coddle me, dear, and say I look 25

phones, lack of eye contact, and complete disinterest with

because that’s a lie and we both know it), riding a bicycle

your existence seem like a cry for help?” LeAnns some-

up and down a lane? That would be so silly! Did you learn

times try to engage with Jos but they quickly realize that

when you were a child? Or are you as uncoordinated as

they can’t be hooked like a Rachel or a Stacey. Jos simply

me? It’s okay if you are.

drown out their chatter with the sound of their feet hitting

We can be uncoordinated and unwanted together! Well,

the treadmill and Kendrick Lamar. When asked why she

thankfully, my husband wants me. Or at the very least my

even goes to the gym, one Josey questioned, “Why do you?”

cooking! Are you married, hun? ” “…wh..ell…..uh.”

and continued her way towards the elliptical.

Jo (The Liar, The Author & The Rachel) “Sorry.”

Cliff (The Mansplainer) “Sweetie, sweetie, let me help you with that. What you want to do is lift with your back, like this. See? Your back. Yes, that’s right. You want tension here. Mhmm.

I know, I know, it hurts a little, but you’re a tough cookie, right?” Cliffs come in all ages. The way to spot a Cliff is to see if there is a man who hovers near equipment but never uses it. That is a Cliff’s tell. He likes to be close to the weights so that he can help a woman who is “struggling”.

He often has to defend his territory from other Cliffs or

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go get burnt coffee and bad eggs at the ungodly hour of ten

DRUNKEN MISTAKES AND A LACKLUSTER BREAKFAST

Reily Johnson

thirty in the morning. It was meant to be a reset.

Little brother is the only one of us who drinks regularly.

The R.A and I tend to get our kicks from other vices. However, we will drink occasionally. Last night was one of those occasions (and boy were we all regretting it now). That breakfast was a lot like watching an old person falling in slow motion. It was the funniest thing if you didn’t know them, but if you knew the old person, you would (A) not be able to look away, (B) have a pit in your stomach the size of

Scene: a way too busy dinner on an abnormally loud

Cuba, and (C) pray that everything will be okay even though

Monday morning

you know it probably won’t be.

Characters: Myself- dying from my first real hangover, and uneasy

Little brother and R.A. are both Catholic, so they were

from the night before.

taught from a young age how to handle their liquor. I, being

Little Brother- My best and first friend I made in college.

from New Orleans, am expected to do the same. I cannot.

He is in love with me.

A fact I am not proud of and do everything in my power to

The R.A.- The boy I have a major crush on, who is also Lit-

avoid. I don’t know why I am ashamed of not being a super

tle Brothers closest friend since high school.

experienced drinker. As the daughter of an alcoholic, it

Purpose: Brunch with my two favorite guys in hopes of

should be a good thing that

mending the rift that arose from the

I saw the worst aspects of drinking and made a choice to

actions of the previous night

not go overboard. But now as I attend dumb frat parties, -having never acquired a taste for beer-, I find myself lying.

To the outside perspective we were just three average

I say I “pre-gamed a little too hard” so that’s why they don’t

college kids, obviously too hungover to talk from a night of

see me with a red solo cup in hand.

debaucheries. Most likely skipping our morning classes.

That’s only half right… well it’s all right, but only half of

It is no secret that alcohol turns people into an emotional

the story. Sure, as we chugged our coffee, and we wished

wreck. The last time I drank tequila, I ended up crying on a

for Tylenol. We were praying that the greasy hash browns

roof wondering why everyone I love leaves me. This is why

were magic and would soak up the rest of the liquor in our

I don’t drink very often. Also, children who have a parent

stomachs. Each of us pleaded with our god for the miracle

who struggles with alcohol have a much higher risk of be-

of sobriety. We were not talking; our heads were pounding

coming an alcoholic themselves. My mother refuses to let

but that was just a good excuse. If we broke our silence, it

my brother and I become a statistic.

would shatter the illusion of last night didn’t really happen.

It would thrust us into facing the shame head on, and that was12 out of the question. Our heads were going through enough right now. That was the whole reason we agreed to

But every once in a while, the boys could convince me to let loose, celebrate the end of finals, (or just a really hard week) and party with them. My boys and I went too deep in a bot-

I got up from our deathly quiet table, threw twenty bucks

tle and no one liked what they found there. The things that

down and left. I see both of them around campus every

were said still hung in the air and stung worse than the Gin.

once in a while. We smile politely, wave at parties but

I hurt my two closest friends and now were sitting across

that was the end of our run. I lost Little Brother and the

the table from each other, barely able to look them in the

R.A.They, as far as I know, don’t speak anymore either. Not

eye. I wasn’t only guilty party in this. Fingers had been

only did I ruin my own relationships, I managed to take an-

pointed and drunken accusations rang far too true in the

other down with me. I lost two of the people closest to me,

harsh sunshine on the new morning. I didn’t regret what

and I drink more then I used to.

had been said, just how it had been said. *Four Months Later* Little brother has had a crush on me since the first time I

After several weeks of avoidance, and awkward classes, the

knocked on his door by mistake. I knew he did, but I did not

R.A. and I grew closer and eventually started dating. But our

pay any attention to it, which was my first mistake. My sec-

friendship with Little Brother has been severely damaged

ond, was falling for his best friend. Although I don’t see how

we can both still hang out with him, just not at the same

I couldn’t have. It took a couple of shots of gin to get us, and

time. I’ve decided its best to limit my interactions with him,

a few friends, to play Truth or Dare. NEVER PLAY TRUTH

and that breaks my heart, but I just don’t love him that way.

OR DARE, nothing good ever comes out of it. The short list

I never will. I do love him, but I know that he will not be cool

of events that night is stripping, crush telling, crush kiss-

with that for a good while. I’m willing to wait I just hope he

ing, the boys promising to not go against bro-code by being

can forgive his best friends.

interested in me, and finally me and the R.A. hooking up in a closet. (I know: Really Classy). Oh, and I almost forgot the best part: a boxing match for who got to finish the bottle of gin. (My freshman, Essence, won! I’m such a proud Big).

Alcohol has a way of doing that to you: making you say things you want to say—your darker thoughts. Of course, it always comes out in the worst possible way. I sit across the table from my two favorite men. I know I’m going to have to pick a side. I stare at them desperate to catch a glance, but all I see is them glaring across the table from each other trying to stay on their best behavior to not fight again. I already had to stuff one bloody nose last night. They both used to be such great friends. Friends way before they ever meet me, and now I seem to be the thing that will drive them apart. I can’t let this happen. I won’t. I hope.

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FINGER GUNS

Grace Guetschow

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UNTOLD TRUTHS Bria Dyer I’m stuck in the in between I’m either too nice or I’m way too mean I’m oh so dirty But let me come clean I wanna let off the pressure Let off the steam I’m not green with envy But I got some jealousy The love I got for you ain’t never no fallacy You’re everything I could want Baby you a fantasy But in the end you’ll probably get a man And I’ll be stuck with me, myself, and a pen.

You got a happy ending and I got The End.

BIOS Many thanks to the artists and authors who contributed their work to this edition of castings. The authors indivuals include Chris Wright who seems to eat anythin but soup, Andrea Garcia, a person who enjoys watching movies, someone who can easily makes firends , Josey Chumney, Reliy Johnson, a pen collector and Bria Dyer the Dog Lover. The Artists are Sanya Arrendondo who collects plants, Oscar Zenoteno who eats too mcuh spagetti, Sydeny Ritter the Fast Food Expert and Grace Guetschow who frequents the opera house.

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2022

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