Heaven's On Fire |Dimebag Darrell

Hellyeah

March 2nd, 2008

  Little squeals echoed within the empty hall as I chased Eddie. The two of us had been on the road with Vinnie since he has joined Hellyeah back in 2006. It took a lot of encouragement to get the man to pick the sticks back up and play once again. I understood that after losing Darrell that it never felt right, but Vinnie had a gift. Just like his younger brother, he was born to play. 

  At first, I wasn't ready to take Eddie out on the road. I wasn't even sure I was ready to be out on the road. Without Darrell, it just didn't feel the same. 'But being away from Eddie and I for months at a time was wearing thin on the drummer. I could see that it was affecting Eddie as well in not seeing his uncle whenever he wanted to. So, this year I had finally agreed to go out on the road with the guys and open the world that I once shared with his father to Eddie. 

  I was worried at first with how things would be with a 3-year-old. Chad assured me though that if me and Eddie being present is what Vinnie needed in order to be out on the road, then we were more than welcome. The guys adjusted their bus to accommodate my son and I, allowing us to have the back of the bus while they stuck to their bunks. Every single one of them were more than helpful when it came to the happy toddler. 

  It showed me that the family I had out on the road never went anywhere, they were just waiting for my return.

  "Hey, there he is!" Chad excitedly announced as Eddie ran out onto the stage while they were doing soundcheck. Me hot on his tail. Tonight's show was back home in good ole Ft. Worth, Texas. We were performing at Ridglea Theater tonight then we would be home for a short while till we headed to Florida in April. 

  Eddie laughed as everyone was now watching him, then booked it straight to his uncle who was behind his drum set. Vinnie laughed but welcomed the toddler with open arms. Vinnie was easily Eddie's favorite person. Those two were attached at the hip. Vinnie was the closest to a father figure that Eddie had, playing an important role in his up bringing. Eddie needed him. Vinnie allowed Eddie to hold onto his sticks as he helped Eddie smack the drumheads, causing the toddler to squeal with excitement.

  Agreeing to take a break. Vinnie gave Eddie a kiss on the cheek before walking him over towards me. "Excited to be home for a while?" Vinnie chuckled just as Eddie reached for my hand with his other one. The two of us began to walk back towards the dressing rooms, with Eddie between us. "Yeah, I think lounging at home would help recharge my social battery." laughing at ourselves. Vinnie nodded, "yeah, forgot how exhausting but rewarding this all was. Thank you for joining us this time."

  I looked towards my brother-in-law. "Of course. After everything that you had done for not just me but Eddie, it was the least that I could do. Plus, Eddie needs his uncle." Teasing the drummer had caused Vinnie to laugh. Vinnie and I retreated back to the bus where Vinnie started making lunch for me and Eddie. Part of me imagined that this is what it would've looked like with Darrell. Picturing how our lives would be domesticated now that we were parents. I wanted to believe it would look a lot like this. 

  "Hey, there you guys are!" Rita smiled, climbing the steps till she reached the top step. Lenny was Vinnie's drum tech and that now meant Rita wasn't too far behind. It really almost felt like the old days. Just wish Grady could be here. After we lost Darrell, Grady was around often to help with Eddie. 'But bills began to stack as he took time off. Eventually he was called back and seeing him was a struggle. We made sure that we spent time for every holiday though, and to always call. It was not a friendship that I was willing to lose. 

  Eddie smiled at his aunt, "Weeda!" Eddie struggled in rolling his R's, but we knew in time he would. Till then we enjoyed seeing him discover the world that was around him. Rita gushed, coming over to help Eddie eat his lunch. If I didn't know any better, you would think the 3-year-old was spoiled. "Feels good to be back in Texas," Rita spoke. I smiled, "feels like home. Something I never thought I would say." I couldn't help but laugh in how true that was. 18 years ago, I was in a totally different mindset. Desperate to get out of this state as fast as I could.