It？s a long story。？ One even she didn？t understand； and one she？d never told
anyone。 Is that a fact？
Serena stared over Henry？s shoulder at the crowd of revelers： some of them half…naked and
soaking up the sun； others dancing at speeds not altogether appropriate to the music。 And then
there was Blair； sipping yet another Bloody Mary and smiling up shyly at Nate； who gripped a
beer； grinning stupidly。 Serena glanced back at Henry。 It was like a time warp： Blair and Nate
pletely oblivious to her； and Henry staring devotedly at her from the other side of the table
like nothing had changed。
？This is my birthday party； you know；？ she said at last。
？You think I don？t know that？？ Henry reached over and grasped her hand with his slightly
callused musician？s fingers。 ？That？s why I came。 It？s our anniversary。？ Serena swallowed。
Happy birthday！
behind the scenes
？We？re inside the aviary now。？ Vanessa was practically shouting to be heard over the chirps and
cries of the brightly colored birds that were frantically swirling around the glass…enclosed room。
Vanessa held her camera steadily and spun around to get a plete 360…degree look at the
massive； plant…filled room。 Birds of every hue； from egg yolk yellow to Tiffany blue to Bloody
Mary scarlet； fluttered around on clipped wings； drifting from bough to bough in a pathetic
attempt at the flight they？d never again experience。
？I？m told that this is where Bailey Winter does most of his preliminary sketches；？ Vanessa
continued。 ？In fact； those who know his work well may recognize the colors from his most recent
couture collection。？ She trained the camera on a little bird chirping in the bra