scribbling more notes on the pink pad。
Or worst enemy。
Serena nodded。 ?We?ve been friends??
?Forever!? Eleanor finished enthusiastically。
?Mmmm;? Davita murmured as she picked up a thin cucumber sandwich?crusts cut off; of
course?from a hammered silver tray。 She sniffed it delicately; then returned it to the tray。
?Now; Serena;? Eleanor began; smoothing her sleek; Fekkai…blond shoulder…length bob; ?I hope
you don?t mind me calling you over; but Blair has been positivelyunreachable ; and I thought that
since you two have known each other since you were toddlers; you?d be the perfect person to help
plan this event I have scheduled at the Met。 We have more than a few milestones to
celebrate?Blair and Aaron going off to college; for one。 And then there?s also??
Just then Davita?s gold Motorola Slvr cell phone began to ring frantically; beeping and burping
in the most annoying way possible。 Davita jumped up; holding her bony; manicured index finger
out in the air; and walked quickly out of the living room; her pewter Jimmy Choo slingbacks
sparkling like firecrackers in the light that streamed through the south…facing windows。 Serena
returned to picking at the frayed threads on her cutoff skirt again。 She could barely concentrate
anyway。 As of today; Blair and Nate had spent exactly one month together; alone on a boat with no
one around for miles。 They were probably; right at this very minute; eating steamed lobsters with
clarified butter and gazing dreamily into each other?s eyes。 Serena blinked back hot tears as she
pictured it。
?So;? Eleanor said brightly; inching closer to her on the couch and resting one tanned hand on
Serena?s forearm。 ?How has your summer been? With Blair gone I?ve hardly seen you at all; and
it?s only a matter of days before you kids are off to New Haven!?
?It?s been okay。? Serena forced a smile as she squirmed on the couch。 She?d spent the last four
weeks wandering around the city under the pretense of getting her fill of New York in before
leaving it behind。 In truth; she was just trying to distract herself。 Unfortunately; everywhere she
went?to the Central Park pond; to feed the mallards; to the mod boutiques on Little West Twelfth
Street; to shop; to the steps of the Met; to drink coffee; even her one venture into Brooklyn to see a
warehouse art show?reminded her of her friends。 They?d grown up together and experienced the
city together; and; supposedly; they were leaving it behind together。 But here she was; pletely
alone。 ?Just the usual。 Nothing special;? Serena finished; noticing how lean and tanned Eleanor?s
legs were。 Maybe she should take a Pilates class too。
?Nothing special!? Eleanor exclaimed in the way that only mothers can。 ?May I remind you that