had been one of
her favorite hiding places when she was little。 Dark and cozy and safe； with the dank scent of
antique wood。 She tucked the swivel chair in so she was pletely hidden and started to write。
By the time she？d said what she needed to； she？d filled three pages of the ivory…colored Crane？s
writing paper。
Climbing out of her hiding place； Serena stuffed the pages into an envelope and sealed it with
two quick licks。 She scrawled a name across the front of it； and then； moving quickly so she
wouldn？t lose momentum or second…guess herself； she hurried out of the house and into the
driveway。 Dozens of cars were parked half on and half off the lawn； but it was easy to spot the
vintage hunter green Aston Martin； top still down； dewy and shining in the gray…gold morning
light。 She strode toward it purposefully； popped open the glove partment； and left the
envelope inside； faceup。
Somebody？s in for a big surprise。
？
Air Mail … Par Avion … July 14
Dear Dan；
Wow？that？s some big news！ Maybe we can go shopping together when I get back？ Or
ice…skating？ Do you like stuff like that now？
I was talking to Mom about it and she said that when you were little you were always hiding in
her closet； trying on her sequined dresses from the seventies。 Isn？t that funny？ Congratulations on
finally ing out of the closet！
I love you！
Jenny
my baby takes the morning train
？I？m home；？ Vanessa whispered as she quietly shuffled into Dan？s sprawling Upper West Side
apartment。 She care…fully deposited her backpack on an armchair laden with winter coats even
though it was July。 It was only eight o？clock in the morning