MILAKALE, KAUA‘I, THE REPUBLIC OF HAWAI‘I  |  1889 As the Sun began to sink behind the ancient volcanic mountain to the west, a small crowd of concerned onlookers populated Milakale Beach. Flaming torches surrounding the stone heiau threw a dancing, satanic light over the scene. As Fox hurried past worried faces, he imagined they were … Continue reading 10:3 The Miracle

MILAKALE, KAUA‘I, THE REPUBLIC OF HAWAI‘I  |  1889 On the landing, the pair was welcomed by the Lanthier’s housekeeper, Noelani Mahoe, who proved to be a gracious hostess in her own right and placed opulent flower leis on the shoulders of both travelers as they disembarked the steamship. The humid air and heady mix of … Continue reading 10:2 A Carpet of Flowers

MILAKALE, KAUA‘I, THE REPUBLIC OF HAWAI‘I  |  1889 The Pride of Jefferson steamed into the harbor at Lihue as a light morning rain watered the garden island of Kaua‘i. The crowded harbor was abuzz with activity; sugar plantations to the north and south of the boom town were drawing workers from all over the Pacific. … Continue reading 10:1 At the Landing

THE PACIFIC OCEAN  |  1889 As the familiar sailor opened the hatch to the Pride of Jefferson’s enclosed bridge and motioned Philomena inside, Captain Monk turned from a table of charts and smiled. “Well, Miss Fox, it is a singular pleasure to have such a beautiful young woman on my bridge,” he rhapsodized. “I understand … Continue reading 9:2 The Captain’s Folly

THE PACIFIC OCEAN  |  1889 Giving up the idea of ever closing her eyes again and having few earthly possessions to be concerned about, Philomena wandered the ship as other passengers readied themselves for arrival in Kaua‘i. A persistent thrumming behind a closed door labeled CREW ONLY finally piqued the interest of the precocious girl. … Continue reading 9:1 Below Deck

THE AETHER  |  1889 The I that is I remembers. Fireworks. Not the brightly colored displays that print themselves upon the retinas, but the idea of fireworks. Something I am supposed to do. This feeling of forgetting to have done something has kept me from embracing the I that is All. How provincial to have bought … Continue reading 8:6 Unfinished Business

THE PACIFIC OCEAN  |  1889 Philomena quickly realized there wasn’t much involved in watching over her drugged guardian sleep in the dark cabin. Fox was stretched flat out on the berth still dressed in his evening clothes with only his shoes missing. A barely perceptible snore was the only sign that he was still alive. … Continue reading 8:5 An Uncanny Stowaway

THE PACIFIC OCEAN  |  1889 It was Fox’s turn to awake disoriented in his cabin berth, a piercing pain in his head. As he tried to rise, he was gently admonished and held back by a firm hand. “You gave us quite a scare there, sir,” a voice Fox did not recognize came through the … Continue reading 8:4 Unknown Tongue

THE PACIFIC OCEAN  |  1889 Following the overly rich dinner at which Philomena wisely kept her otherworldly experience to herself, the table dispersed for each party to go best figure out how to digest the meal on their own. For their part, Fox and Philomena wandered the polished upper decks, finding a crowd of people … Continue reading 8:3 Just Like Icarus

THE PACIFIC OCEAN  |  1889 The unlikely pair found Fox holding court in a large salon illuminated by immense skylights made up of intricate patterns of cut glass. Several of Edison’s lamps hung in matching chandeliers adding to the disorienting kaleidoscopic effect. Upon noticing his charge enter the room, Fox suspended whatever web of nonsense … Continue reading 8:2 The Captain’s Table