Four days after the eruption, Daniel reached for the screen door and stepped into the Natua porch for the first time in more than a dozen years. The sweet scent of flowers and damp earth hung heavy in the air, bringing back a rush of childhood memories. He was happy to see that nothing had changed. The long wooden tabletop where Mama and Auntie Leia sat stringing their leis was laden with orchids, pikake, kukui nuts, shells, and ti leaves. He walked into the warm cluttered house and followed the voices to the kitchen, where Auntie Leia and Auntie Nori were there waiting for him.

When Daniel was shown into Mama Natua’s room, he put down his brown leather medical bag, a gift from his mother when he graduated from medical school, and walked across the room to push the curtains apart, sunlight spilling into the dark and cramped space.

“She likes it dark,” Auntie Leia said.

“I’ll need the light,” he said, keeping his voice low and professional.

Mama squinted at him, sizing him up from her armchair as he pulled a chair over and sat down in front of her. “Who are you?” she asked.

“He’s Mariko’s boy,” Nori said. “Daniel’s a doctor now,” she added.

Mama stared a moment longer. “You always liked to run around, didn’t you?” she said. “Even as a boy, yeah.”

Daniel looked up at Auntie Leia. When Auntie Nori asked him to give Mama a checkup, she warned him that Mama could be difficult.

“She’s confused, must think you’re someone else,” Auntie Leia said. “She’s been a handful all morning, yeah. Threw a tantrum, didn’t want to eat her sweetbread and mashed papaya.” Leia shook her head.

Daniel smiled at Mama and asked both of his aunties to wait in the living room while he examined her. During his geriatrics rotation, he saw patients with senility at differing stages. He knew that the less distraction there was, the calmer the patient remained.

“You call if she acts up, yeah,” Auntie Leia said as they walked out of the room.

Mama’s gaze followed them.

“Mama, it’s nice to see you again,” Daniel said, pulling back her attention.

He looked her straight in the eyes, keeping her focus on him. When he held out his hand to her, Mama suddenly leaned forward in her armchair and looked closely at Daniel. She reached out to him and he took her hand in both of his, his fingers entwining her wrist, his thumb finding a strong pulse.

“Always a charmer, yeah,” she said, pulling away. “Why did you come back that morning by the beach if you were going to leave again anyway?” she asked.