Thursday dawned, our last full day in LA, and I decided I wanted to do something that would bring us closer together. Kelly had errands to run in the morning, so I had arranged for an early appointment at Sunset Strip Tattoo.

"Where are we going?" Jess asked.

I held up two small pieces of paper. On one was printed an interlocking pair of Js. On the other was a K with a J flowing off the bottom leg of the K.

"This one," I said, indicating the double Js, "is for Kat. The other one?" I held up the K and J. "That's for Jess and me. Pick where...