Time After Time || Chris Cornell

27. Yesterday Comes Tomorrow

Columbus Ohio, May 18 2017

(Andi is 29, Chris is 52)

ANDI: It was a little later into the evening and I was making my way out of the local mall that wasn't too far from the Sheraton Hotel. Chris had given me some cash and his credit card so that I could get a cell phone - suggesting an iPhone since he saw me playing around with his earlier - and to grab some more clothes for the rest of the tour which was only a couple of weeks longer. It felt weird taking his credit card, but he insisted and wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

I slip my bags over my shoulder, send Chris a text letting him know my number and that I'm on my way back and head to the Hotel to change before he heads out to meet up with Kim Ben and Matt. I'm excited and scared to meet up with them again. I haven't seen them since their last show in Hawaii '97. We sort of left on awkward terms with each other. It was only a few months later that the band completely broke up and it wasn't exactly the greatest of goodbyes.

As I pull up one of the straps, untucking my curls from underneath, I catch a glimpse of the tattoo on my finger and smile to myself, remembering the night that I got it. Seems a little silly I know, but it was the only thing I could think of next to an actual wedding ring, and I wanted to make sure that I had a part of Chris with me no matter what. 

I just wish...

No, I can't think like that. I'm here with him now. I'm meant to be here. I was meant to save him, just like all the times he saved me.

A few blocks later, I was back at the hotel and Chris was there to greet me back in our hotel room, already freshly showered and wearing a plain grey long sleeve sweater T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a pair of slim fitted ripped jeans with of course his Doc Martens. His curls were still damp but rested just above his shoulders, his beard now neatly trimmed and he smelled so freshly of after shave.

"Hi baby... did you find everything you need?" He smiles at me as I close the hotel room door.

"I think so," I say as I fumble with the bags a little bit.

"Here... let me," He says and helps take the bags off of my shoulder, taking my new phone out of my hand and setting it down on the nightstand by his with the bags down on the floor by the bed.

"It's so weird how literally just yesterday, my phone was only this little thing with hardly any screen at all and like... that t9 texting function..." I giggle.

"Oh yea I remember that thing... you were like so amazed by it you got me one too," Chris chuckles.

"Yea and I had to show you how to use it... and here you are showing me how to use an iPhone," I say practically in disbelief.

"Yea... I know," Chris chuckles.

"Oh shit, I forgot to get a luggage bag or something for my clothes," I say placing my hand on my forehead feeling like a moron that I forgot.

"It's alright, we can uh... stuff 'em in mine, I got plenty of room... you know me... I always travel light," He smirks. He moves back over to me and places his lips on mine for just a moment, then touches his forehead to mine.

"I uh... I should probably clean up a little bit before... you know..." I say.

"Ok," He says softly but still holds me.

"Chris?"

"Mmmhnm?" He mumbles with his eyes closed.

"You sure you're ok?" I ask.

"Yea... yea I'm fine now, just a little tired but... I'm fine," He says.  We stand there for a few more minutes as he keeps his forehead to mine. I have this weird feeling he took a couple of pills while I was out but I don't want to ask him about it right now. He already knows my concern so I'm just going to set it aside for now.