Tanya closed out the bidding and congratulated the two ladies on their dual as they both received an ovation from the rest of the audience. Tanya took a moment to announce that there were items in the foyer donated by many celebrities fighting for a cure for breast cancer that could be bid on in a silent auction. She encouraged them to look through their brochures and make a contribution to the silent portion of the nights event. Tanya then informed the audience of a special guest waiting to give them a special treat.
Music started to play and Tanya
announced that they were now in the hands of Jill Scott. The audience
received Jill with a standing ovation and loud cheers causing Jill to bow
and wave her hands immediately to acknowledge the crowd. Jills
hypnotic tones and poetic rhythms brought a hush over the crowd as
they captured every word that she sang. She sang a medley that began
with Long Walk and ended with He Loves Me. The crowd again showed
their approval of her talents by giving her a standing ovation and cheers.
Tanya again approached the podium and asked the crowd if that was a
welcomed treat. The crowd showed their approval by again applauding
for nearly a minute. Tanya informed the crowd that there would be a
brief intermission and the program would begin again in ten minutes.
Tanya left the stage to check on the participants for the second half of
the auction. When she arrived backstage she saw that all the
participants were ready to make their way to the stage. All but Gwen
was full of energy and excitement. Tanya noticed the depression that
covered Gwen and sat with her hoping to change her mood.
"Whats wrong girl?" She asked.
"Oh nothing," she lied, "just waiting my turn to make a difference."
She said sarcastically.
"So you still bothered by Allen not being able to make it?"
"Yes. I wish he wouldnt have told me that he would be here. I know
that he has no control over being here, but I think him promising me
that he would make it even up to the time that he left, bothered me."
"Well Gwen," Tanya tried to deliver the right words, "he isnt here and
you are. Come and have a good time and when he returns you can tell
him all about it."
"Its just not the same. I wanted him to participate in this with me.
This not only affects me, but it affects him also."
"How so?"
"His mother had a bout with breast cancer and beat it. That is why
he decided that he would be here to support it. I dont know, maybe Im
being a baby about it."
"I think you are." Tanya smiled and stood.
"Thanks for the support." Gwen joked.
"Well, that support made your attitude change," she said as she
smiled and walked away. "Oh," she turned to face Gwen, "by the way,
youre up last."
"Great," she said with a lack of excitement.
Tanya waited behind the curtain for the music to cue her entrance so
that she could again reset herself at the podium. The music began to
play and Tanya made her entrance to an ovation from the crowd.
"Alright, lets get back into the show," she said to a still applauding
crowd.