A while later I was getting ready to introduce Krystal, pacing back and forth. I knew I was going to be introduced, but I didn’t know by whom or anything about it. So when Steve walked out there I was thinking he was just gonna talk about something about the station. Never did I expect him to talk about me. I was hanging in the wings listening to what he was saying.
"Our staff at KIIS FM has been pretty stable for a while and all of you know who they are. But every so often, one of our family members leaves us for whatever reason. And when that happened to our overnight person, I knew I had to find someone to fill that spot. Well, I got a producer and a DJ in the same day, both having worked together in the past. Little did I know how popular their show would become. They have the best information about parties and food and everything really. At least, that’s what the emails say that I keep getting. And just yesterday I got a wonderful email from our ratings people. They told me that more people were listening to the KIIS After Hours Party with DJ Dawn than any other latenight show in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. So I want everyone to give it up for DJ Dawn. She has the number one show for her time slot. Com’ere DJ Dawn."
I walked out there stunned. As I turned around in a circle to make sure I wasn’t dreaming or anything, I caught a glimpse of Andy giving me a thumbs up from the wings. I walked over to the microphone on the side of the stage and looked out at the crowd. "Wow!" I exclaimed. "I never expected that! Thanks everyone! And special thanks to all my closers out there. You really should put in for a raise!" Most people laughed because they knew I was talking about the people who closed fast food restaurants. "And now, a woman who needs no introduction, but I’ll give her one anyway. She is up for the best new artist after having won that category at the MTV VMAs a year ago. And I know most of you are saying the same thing I am, ‘It’s about time!’ Well, so you know, the song she’s gonna come out here and sing for you tonight is the one you all picked. She loves her fans as much as you love her. So without further ado, may I present to you best new artist and best R&B female nominee, Miss Krystal Harris!" I slid off stage before she could recognize me or even notice that I was there.
I did manage to snag me a spot next to Mook to watch her reaction when Mary J. Blige came out. Mary walked out just as Krystal was starting the second verse of "Real Love" and the look on Krystal’s face was priceless. She was so surprised that she almost tripped over her own feet. Even though they’d never rehearsed it together, they played off each other well. So well, that after a bit, you could hardly tell that Krystal didn’t know Mary was going to be there. The crowd’s reaction was great too. The screams, the yelps of surprise, the shouts, it all mixed together for an experience I was glad to be apart of. About a minute after Mary had come out, Mook elbowed me in the side so I turned towards him. "You’re the only person I know who could have pulled this off."
I smiled at him and replied, "Yeah, I know."
I guess Krystal was thinking the same thing. After she finished the song with Mary and they hugged, Krystal went to center stage by herself. "There’s only one person who I know of who could have pulled that off," she told the crowd. "Oh DJ Dawn." I glanced at Mook, who practically pushed me out onto the stage, but not before Andy tossed a white rose into my hands.
I walked out there with the rose and presented it to her. She recognized me then; I could tell by the look on her face. I must have looked pathetic because she instantly pulled me into a hug and whispered in my ear, "It’s okay. I forgive you." She then pulled me around so that I was facing the crowd with her. "Hey everyone, let’s hear it for DJ Dawn!" The crowd cheered again. "Not many of you know this but it was because of me that DJ Dawn got this gig. And no, I did not pull any strings. But what I’d like to do right now is a song on my latest album. Its called ‘Cry Never.’ I want to sing it because I know I never wanna see DJ Dawn cry again."
I looked up at her as she started singing and knew then that no matter what happened, she was there for me.
