Time After Time || Chris Cornell

41. Could It Be Eddie Vedder?

North Washington, November 12 1990

(Andi is 20)

ANDI: It was mid morning in early winter with the sun shining surprisingly bright. It had snowed just a little bit the night before and the air was crisp and cool. The boys were working in the studio recording the first few tracks for the album they were putting together and they finally decided on a name last night.

'I want to show you something, like joy inside my heart
Seems I been living in the Temple of The Dog'

Andy would definitely approve.

Anyways... Since it was so early, and not to mention some of the boys do have a little bit of a hangover... ehem - Jeff - I figured we could all use some much needed coffee. Right now Eddie is with me, driving Chris's truck to a small town called Lynwood to see if there is a coffee shop or diner of some sort.

I should say, that as much as I thought that I was shy - and trust me I am - Eddie is even more so. So when the two of us get together, it's pretty quiet and awkward for the first little while, since I'm not usually the one to start conversations. With Eddie I seem to have to but I totally understand why. He had just moved here from San Diego only a couple of months ago after he sent a demo tape of a few songs he had written lyrics to back to Jeff Stone and Mike. I guess they had sent out that same tape to look for a singer as they wanted to continue on and knew that Andy would want them to.

Jeff and Stone were so impressed by the way Eddie sounded that they asked him to fly out here for a couple of weeks to see if he would audition and if he wanted to be part of the band. Well, those few weeks turned into a permanent stay once Eddie officially decided to join them and everyone pretty much fell in love with him, especially Chris.

Before the wedding, Chris wanted to make him feel welcome, so he invited him out for a few drinks and they became so close right away. It was sweet how Chris embraced him like a brother. I think Eddie reminds Chris of Andy in some ways with writing. Chris really missed having that with Andy.

"Thanks for driving me," I say and quickly glance at him.

"Sure... you're welcome," He says.

"I mean it's not like I can't drive... I just shouldn't," I say.

"It's ok I don't mind," Eddie smiles at me and glances back out the windshield. I hate it when it's awkward and quiet like this.

"Um... wanna listen to some tunes?" I ask.

"Sure," He smiles at me again. I open up the glovebox of Chris's blue Ford pickup and pull out my new cassette of a band called Pantera. I slide it into the stereo and the first track starts up right away.

"I've been so addicted to this album since I got it," I say as 'Cowboys from Hell' plays through the stereo.

The rest of the entire drive to Lynwood was pretty silent except for the amazing guitar solos that Dime was playing through the speakers. I wish there was a way that we could somehow make it less awkward between us. We then find a small little diner and Eddie parks the truck out front. We both climb out of our seats and head inside, immediately greeted by 1960's décor. I walk up to the counter and place an order for 6 black coffee's with all the stuff on the side and a dozen doughnuts to go while Eddie studies the place, his hand in the pockets of his suede chestnut brown jacket, his messy golden curls everywhere and those bright blue eyes that can make a girl weak in the knees.

Once my order is filled, I hand the girl some cash with a tip, then Eddie helps me carry out the coffee and doughnuts to the truck. Once we get settled, Eddie pulls back out on to the highway, heading back to London Bridge Studios where the boys are recording.