CHAPTER THIRTEEN-FRAMING HANLEY
College flew by twice as fast as high school had with three times as many parties, ten times the alcohol, and a million times more work. Before we knew it, we were in our third year, it was 2006, and Embers Fade had a rabid local fanbase. Nixon and I had been together the entire time. Our relationship wasn't perfect, but what relationship is? Despite our minor tifts every now and again, we were extremely happy. We were always together, along with Brandon, Luke, Chris, his fiancee Ashley, and Tim. Nixon and I did spend time together apart from the group, and one another, however. Ashley was a photography major and she and I became close friends, so she and I spent a lot of time together as well.
"I wonder if they'll ever make it out of Nashville." Ashley said to me one night. We had just gotten back to our apartment from sitting at the guys' practice. Ashley had taken up another roll of film that afternoon, nothing unusual.
"I dunno. Hopefully they will soon."
"I hope so...they deserve it."
"Amen, girl. Amen..."
"Well, I'm gonna go. Jessica and I are going out tonight. You and Nixie have a date, right?"
She always called him Nixie. She had become close to him as well, not just me.
"Yep yep. Early birthday date since they have a show on my birthday."
"That's right. Alright girl, have a blast. Lock the bedroom door." she said, laughing.
"Ha...I will!"
"Love ya."
"Love you too, Ash."
The door closed behind my friend, I went into my room, showered and changed, readying myself for my date with Nixon. I had just finished drying my hair when the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Lynds..."
Nixon was on the other end, clearly upset. His voice was cracking and I could practically see the tears rolling down his face. My heart jumped into my throat, pouding.
"Nixon? What's wrong, Baby?"
"There was an accident."
"What?"
"Ashley...they took her to Middle Tennesee and they said it doesn't look good...she was non-responsive...they're airlifting her to Vandy."
My heart stopped and tears threatened to fall.
"Baby, where are you?"
"I'm on my way..."
"Where are you?"
"Almost there. I'll be up in a minute."
"Don't come up. I'll come down and we'll go."
"I love you, Lyndsey."
"I love you, too, Nixon. I'll meet you downstairs, okay?"
I grabbed my purse and nearly ran down the stairs. Tears were no longer threatening, but streaming down my face. Ashley had to be okay. She was a strong girl, a fighter, she'd pull through this...that's what I was telling myself, and that's what I'd tell Nixon.
He pulled up and I yanked the door open, threw myself into the car, and slammed the door shut.
"Lynds." Nix said, his voice cracking.
I looked at my boyfriend, who I hadn't seen so broken in a long time. I didn't know what to do or say; every thought I'd had running through my head had run away. I leaned over and kissed his cheek. I was lost for words. Nixon composed himself enough to drive the half hour to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. I couldn't understand why they didn't transport her by ambulance, it wasn't that far from one hospital to another, and ambulances could drive at higher speeds than normal traffic. It must have been really serious. I didn't dare ask Nixon, I just prayed a silent prayer and stared out the window. Dark clouds were on the horizon, something that made Nixon rather uncomfortable. He hated storms. I had a feeling that those black clouds were looming over Vanderbilt Medical Center.
We parked in the parking tower next to the emergency room and practically ran through the now pouring rain into the waiting room. It was full of people from school, the entire band, and our friend Dustin, all sitting around, just waiting. I walked over to Chris, knelt down in front of him, and took his hands into mine.
"She's gonna be okay, right?" he asked.
Tears filled my eyes. How was I supposed to answer that? I had no idea what to do or say. I hadn't seen her or heard anything myself, but Chris was my friend and he needed comfort. I reached up with my right hand and softly touched his face.
"Of course, sweetie. She's a fighter. Have they let you back there to see her yet?"
"No, not yet. Her parents are back there. They said they'd come get us, two or three at a time, in a little bit.."
I nodded and stood, wrapping my arms around him. It was all I knew to do. Chris was so sweet, and he was so in love with Ashley. I hoped that, at least for his sake, she would pull through. Nixon and I took a seat and waited silently with everyone else. Apparently she had been broadsided by a truck much bigger than her car, which upon impact went spinning and hit another vehicle. Hours passed and only Chris was allowed in the back. My heart grew heavy; I knew that couldn't mean anything positive. Nixon and I finally went home to my apartment around two A.M. so we could get some sleep before class.
We had both finally drifted off to sleep when the phone woke us at half past five.
"Hello?" Nixon's sleepy voice came from beside me. I closed my eyes, trying to force myself to go back to sleep.
"Oh God....no...."
I opened my eyes and sat up, looking to Nixon. Tears were falling from his eyes, the phone still pressed to his ear. I knew this couldn't be good at all. I wrapped my arms around him, leaning in closer so I could hear the voice on the other end.
"....gotta make arrangements...can you guys come down here? I need you guys."
My heart shattered and now my lashes were wet with tears. Nixon told Chris we'd be there soon and hung up the phone. He turned slightly, wrapped his arms around me, and we both just held one another and cried, not speaking.
"They pronounced her dead at 5...there was nothing they could do." he said through his tears.
I wiped tears from my face and nodded. I got out of bed, pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and grabbed my purse. We got into the car and drove toward Nashville, once again in complete silence.
Ashley's funeral was held three days later. When Nixon and I returned home, I went to shower. He sat down at the computer to check his email, the band's Myspace, and the school message boards.
I was rinsing my hair when I heard him yell.
"LYNDSEY!"
I heard Nixon run through the aparment and the bathroom door swung open and hit the wall.
"What?" I asked, sticking my head out of the shower.
"BRETT HESTLA...he....he wants us to come to Orlando and he wants to work with us...and help us record a demo..."
I shut off the water, stepped out, and wrapped a towel around myself.
"Have you called the rest of the guys yet?"
"No, but I need to...it's just been a long few days...should I tell them tonight?"
"Babe, it's been a long few days...I think we could all use some good news...and this is great news."
"Yeah..."
We kissed and he left me alone to dress, a smile on his face for the first time in days. When I finished dressing I made my way into the living room where I found Nixon sitting on the couch, on the phone with one of the guys. He was still smiling.
"Yeah dude, I know...I gotta give him a call here in a bit and let him know we'll be there....yeah....yeah...alright. I'll see you tomorrow man."
Nixon hung up and laid the phone down.
"Well, I ran this by Brandon, Luke, and Tim...we're gonna tell Chris about it before we head to Orlando. We're changing the band name."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yep."
"To what?"
Nixon smiled broadly, his brown eyes sparkling.
"Framing Hanley."
