Page 2 of Find Me in California

“Who’s in charge?” Maybe he doesn’t have to speak with his grandmother at all. Surely whatever’s going on has to be some mix-up on the center’s part.

“That would be Lenore Pullen, the facility director.”

“I’ll speak with her.”

“She’s in a meeting right now. I’ll transfer you to voicemail.”

Slumbering memories from when he was first sent to live with his grandmother begin to wake. Choppy water. Small boat. An empty stomach. A heartache that stole his breath and almost his life.

His answer is sharp and short. “No.” He can’t revisit that time.

He then pushes out a long stream of air. He didn’t mean to snap. But he does need this resolvedpronto. “What did you say your name is?”

“Julia.”

“Hi, Julia. Matt.”

“Hello, Matt.” Her voice is pleasant with an undercurrent of cheer. It helps calm his nerves. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“I’m hoping there is. I’m tired and I’ve got a long night ahead.” He pushes a thumb into his temple where his head aches the most. If he doesn’t pop an edible soon, that throb will turn into a full-blown migraine within an hour. His photos won’t get edited. He’ll miss the deadline withRoad & Track. Dave will be furious.

“I’ll try my best to help, sir.”

“I just returned home to find fifteen boxes left on my driveaway. Do you have any idea why Elizabeth sent them to me?”

A gasp. “You’re Matt, her grandson.”

Unfortunately. “That’s me.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection when you first asked for her. I’m more tired than I thought. I’m so glad you called.”

“So what’s up with the boxes?”

“She didn’t send them. I did.”

“Come again?”

“I helped her pack and arranged the delivery.”

He has so many questions about that statement. One makes it to the front. “Why didn’t you call ahead and warn me? A heads-up would have been nice.”

“Lenore did call. Quite a few times.”

“When? Never mind.” He doesn’t need to look at his call log to know there are likely many missed calls from Rosemont’s director. He doesn’t listen to voicemail and rarely answers calls from unknown numbers. That’s why he has Dave. His partner handles the business end of things, books Matt’s shoots, and negotiates the contracts.

“She has no one else, Matt. She wanted me to throw everything away. I get that she isn’t sentimental, but I couldn’t bear for her to let everything go because she has to move out, so I convinced her to send her things to you.”

“You lost me.” He’s so confused. None of what she’s said makes sense, especially the part about his grandmother having no one else.She had tons of friends, people she regarded as more deserving of her attention than him.

“I shouldn’t share this. It isn’t my place.” Her voice lowers conspiratorially. “Liza is broke.”

He scoffs. “That’s absurd.” His grandmother descended from Hollywood royalty. He can still recall being awestruck when he first entered her palatial two-story estate. Her wealth was beyond the imaginings of his ten-year-old self.

“She’s only been with us for a year, and granted, she isn’t the most pleasant resident we have. But nobody deserves to be homeless, not even Liza.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Liza is out of money, and the man she appointed as her power of attorney has gone missing. The center’s evicting her in five days.”

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