Page 38 of Find Me in California

Julia mumbles her thanks and rubs the taut tendon at the base of her right thumb. “I know for sure now that Liza and Mama Rose were once friends.”

Lenore’s chin pulls in. “Before Rosemont?”

“Back in the seventies when Mama Rose first moved to California. I asked Liza about it and she got agitated.”

“Judging from what Trevor told me about Liza’s reaction, I take it the friendship didn’t end well.”

“Liza was not happy I’d brought it up.” Julia presses a knuckle into her palm, trying to release the locked tendon. “But I have questions.”

“And Ruby Rose can’t answer them,” Lenore says, putting two and two together.

Julia’s mouth presses into a thin line. She switches hands, rubbing the ache at the base of her other thumb.

Lenore’s gaze drops to Julia’s hands. “How’d you find out they were friends?”

“In a moment of lucidity, Mama Rose asked me to find her diary. No idea what triggered the request. But I found it last night and read some of it, which got me to thinking. Before Mama Rose arrived, she made me swear not to move her from here. Now that I know about her and Liza, I wonder if Mama Rose was waiting for her.”

Lenore nudges her glasses up her nose. “Are you sure it isn’t just coincidence?”

“I’m thinking it’s something more.”

“Like what?”

“Like unfinished business. If so, I need to figure out what. I was hoping Liza might know.”

Behind her glasses, Lenore’s eyes soften just as a shout down the hallway draws both their attention. Lenore lets out a weary sigh. Whatever is happening, she’ll have to deal with it, which means whatever she was going to say to Julia when Julia saw that flash of empathy gets pushed aside. Lenore instead tells her something more practical. And disappointing.

“I understand your need to help your grandmother,” Lenore says, turning back to Julia. “But I have to ask that you leave Liza out of this. You’re not to bother her.”

“Lenore.”

“Liza is under a lot of stress. Between the upcoming move and last month’s near accident ...” Her voice drops to a level only Julia can hear.Lenore and Trevor are still taking precautions with Liza as if she intentionally stepped into traffic. “I can’t have you upsetting her further.”

“I didn’t mean to upset her,” Julia says. “I didn’t know bringing up their friendship would.”

“I understand, but keep your distance. When Matt arrives, you can ask him about it. Liza might handle it better with him around.”

Julia doubts that. Matt doesn’t have much of a relationship with his grandmother. They aren’t on speaking terms. But it’s none of her business, so Julia just nods and rubs her eyes. She’s so exhausted, they burn.

Lenore angles her head and frowns. “It just occurred to me that you’re still here. Why?”

“What do you mean?”

“We don’t have an arrangement anymore. You don’t need to be here unless you’re visiting.”

“I didn’t want to cancel my appointments.” She also didn’t want to do what she knows she needs to do. Find a new income source so Mama Rose can stay at Rosemont.

“You’re exhausted and overworked.” Lenore grabs her hands. “And you haven’t stopped rubbing your hands since we started talking. You are literally in pain from relieving everyone else’s pain.”

Julia glances away. Up until yesterday afternoon, volunteering was the only option she had. She could find a second job, but doing what? Massage therapy is her only skill. But if she worked those hours at another spa rather than at Rosemont, she’d lose flexibility with her time. She wouldn’t be able to visit her grandmother when she wanted or as often. That isn’t an option Julia will consider. Who knows how long Mama Rose has left.

“Go home and rest, Julia. Research the brochures I gave you. In fact, unless it’s to visit, don’t come back until you’ve taken care of your grandmother’s living arrangements and your hands. You can keep the clients you have here, but only if you charge them. You need the money.”

Guilt winds through her. “I can’t charge them. Their incomes are limited. Look at Liza. She’s broke.”

“And she’s moving out. Let Matt worry about her. You worry about yourself. I’ll walk with you to your car.”

Before Julia can object, Lenore takes the massage table off Julia’s shoulder and heads for the front exit. Julia doggedly follows.

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