Lissa hugged her. “I’m so proud of you. That’s impressive.”

“Believe me, I was tempted to stop about fifty times.”

Ellen opened her Uber app and requested a car, then the two of them went outside. The afternoon was a balmy seventy-two degrees, the sky a perfect blue.

They’d arrived in San Diego the previous afternoon. Two of the students had appointments at the college. The rest would simply tour the campus and get a feel for what attending UC San Diego would be like. Ellen had decided to use the tour time to get her tattoo. She’d been surprised when Lissa had offered to go with her.

Now as they waited for their car, Ellen looked at her. “You know, we don’t have to go directly back to the hotel. We could make a quick trip to the campus if you want.”

Lissa wrinkled her nose. “No, thanks. It’s not the school for me. It’s tough to get in and I’d have out-of-state tuition. Why would I want my dad to pay all that when I haven’t figured out my major yet? Community college makes more sense.”

“All the schools we’re looking at are out of state.”

“I know.” Lissa’s voice was heavy as she spoke. “I tried explaining that to my dad, but he...” She turned away. “Is that our car?” She waved to the Prius pulling up to the curb.

On the drive back to the hotel, Ellen tried to make sense of what Lissa had told her. Was it really a money thing? She had trouble believing that. Keith had played in the NFL. He’d had a couple of endorsement deals. Although he’d never been a big star, he was articulate and good-looking. Sponsors had loved him.

She wouldn’t say he was wealthy, but she knew there was some money—enough that a pricey college wouldn’t be financially debilitating. Surely Lissa understood that as well.

They arrived back at the hotel. Lissa went up to her room to change into a bathing suit so she could hang out by the pool. Ellen collected her e-reader and joined her, careful to stay in the shade.

Getting comfortable in the lawn chair was nearly impossible, she thought, shifting on the chair.

“You okay?” Lissa asked.

“It’s a dumb place to get a tattoo,” Ellen complained, reaching for a towel to shove behind her back. “How am I supposed to sit?”

Lissa tried not to smile. “At least you can sleep on your other side.”

“I know. I shouldn’t whine. I did this to myself. It’ll be better tomorrow. It’s just, it looks so much easier on TV.”

She tried to read and watch the clock at the same time. At exactly two hours, she went upstairs to her room and took off the bandage before washing the area with the special liquid soap she’d been given. After that, she applied the salve, then pulled out the granny panties she’d brought along just for this moment. She pulled them on over her bikini ones to keep the cream off her crop pants.