She enjoyed a last look at the jungle, then headed in to shore. She checked in at the clinic and made sure she wasn’t needed, then went toward her cottage. Pete had called and said he left her key under the pot of ginger by the front door. It was right where he’d said it would be. She pushed open the door and stopped. The place was a mess. Bottles of dye had been spilled on her work table and onto the floor, her cupboard doors stood open, and all kinds of sup-plies were off the shelves and on the floor.
She marched to the phone and punched in Pete’s number. As soon as he answered, she didn’t even say aloha. “The least you could have done is not let the kids trash my house,” she barked.
“Leia? What are you talking about?”
“My cottage. It’s a disaster, Pete. How could you leave it in this shape?” Her voice rose.
“It was spotless when we left. I know how picky you are.”
“There’s dye everywhere. Nearly everything is off the shelves. I hardly call that spotless.”
“I didn’t leave it like that. Maybe someone broke in.”
That stopped her. It was possible with all that had been going on. “Maybe,” she said.
“You shouldn’t jump to conclusions, Leia.” Pete’s voice was sharp.
“Sorry, Pete.”
“You can make it up to me. I want to show you something. Will you be there for a while?”
“Just long enough to clean up, then I’m going to my grandmother’s.”
“If you’re not at home, I’ll come find you there. You won’t believe it.” He sounded excited.
She hung up, opened the door to let Hina in, and set to work. An hour later, she had everything in order. She packed a small bag, found her sketchbook, and took the motorbike to her grandmother’s.
She heard T?t? before she saw her. The strains of “Makaha” carried through the jungle. The incongruity of her grandmother singing a surfing song made her recall that T?t? was young once. The songs she sang reminded her of the days when she was as slim and lovely as Malia and just as graceful. Leia pushed away the pang of sadness. She grabbed a bag of ‘ohelo berries she’d brought for the goose, then opened the door and got out. Pua waddled to meet her, and Hina jumped down. Pua nipped at the cat’s tail, and Hina spat at the goose. The two had an uneasy truce that wasn’t always respected.
Squawking for a treat, the nene bumped her head against Leia’s leg. “I didn’t forget you.” Leia dumped some berries in her palm and extended her hand to Pua. The goose honked, then gobbled up the berries. She looked up as if to ask if there were any more. “That’s it, girl. You’re on your own now.” Pua followed Leia as she moved away from the cycle. “You have to stay out here,” she said, patting the goose a final time.
Pua hissed, and Leia drew back her fingers. The temperamental nene had never nipped her, but she was taking no chances. “See if I bring you anything again.” She left Pua at the edge of the driveway voicing her displeasure, then joined her grandmother in the garden. She kissed T?t?’s soft, wrinkled cheek, but the older woman continued to sing without looking up. Her grandmother wore earmuffs and a bathing suit.
Leia sighed. She might as well unpack. Once she was occupying the spare room, her grandmother wouldn’t kick her out. Maybe she would be lucid again, and Leia would be able to coax her into putting on some clothes. She went to her cycle to get her suitcase. A pickup truck pulled in behind her. She shielded her eyes with her hand and recognized Bane’s thick, dark hair on the passenger side. Something inside her leaped in response, but she squelched it.
He thanked the Kalaupapa resident who’d given him a ride, held the door open for Ajax, then slammed the door behind him. Leia raised her hand in greeting. “Aloha,” she said.
“Kaia was a little tired after diving today, so I dropped her off back at the ship to rest for a while and decided to come check on you.” He glanced toward her grandmother. “She’s bad today. Can I do anything?” The dog whined and leaned against his leg.
Her eyes stung at the sympathy in his voice. “I don’t think there’s anything anyone can do. She’ll come out of it soon.”
He took her suitcase from her. “Are you sure this is wise?”
“I’m worried about her. If we’re not careful, she’s going to wander off into the Pelekunu Preserve and never be seen again.” She nodded to the edge of the encroaching jungle. “I’d be happier if we could get her to leave here, but she won’t go without a fight.” Hawaiians revered their elderly. The thought of forcing her grandmother into a home made Leia shudder.
Before Bane could answer, a tan SUV pulled up to the edge of the driveway and parked. Pete got out carrying a small box. He wore a blue shirt that said WELA KA HOA!, which meant “Strike while the iron is hot.” His smile faltered when he saw Bane, but he quickly recovered and approached them. “Aloha,” he said, raising his hand. “I was told I could find you here.” He rubbed Ajax’s ears, and the dog groveled.
“Ajax, you traitor,” Bane said, but he was smiling.