She seemed taller than she was as she always wore at least a four or five inch high heeled pump, and her flowing blonde hair topped off one very fine specimen of female beauty.

She was the youngest real estate agent to win the coveted President's Award for top production, and at the age of twenty two was now earning over one hundred thousand dollars per year.

Kelli could afford to live in a Spanish style condominium that cost more than the homes that other agents twice her age, were able to afford.

She had it all. Age, looks and money. All that is, except the fulfillment of a deep seated need to love just one special person, and be loved in return.

And the one thing her money had not yet bought her, was the coveted tattoo. She still had to work up the courage.

She had her share of boyfriends through college and there was never a shortage of men to ask her out for dinner and 'other things'. But Kelli Stroud wasn't just looking for a good time, she wanted a deep, intimate relationship.

Like the last one she had.

But on the other hand, she didn't want a new relationship to end up like that one ended, for it had ended on a very sad note.

***

Annie was Kelli's room mate their senior year at San Diego State. She was a backwards girl from Iowa, and Kelli wondered just how she was able to get as far in life as she did. The girl seemed so naive about everything, and was just barely passing her course work. She fretted constantly over graduation.

Over the year, Kelli and she had grown close as two room mates do, and shared much about their lives.

Annie never shared anything about men.

"You know Annie?" Kelli asked her one evening after a long walk through the campus.

They were sitting on their beds, relaxing prior to getting a good night's sleep.