The subtle shift in Michael's demeanor was rooted in the vivid and increasingly real dreams that claimed him each night and became more noticeable with each passing day.
There was the eruption of a devastating war when Dean, an orphan who was barely seven, was already scraping a living on the unforgiving streets. A multitude of nations became embroiled in the conflict, their motivations often shrouded in the murky depths of national pride and the insatiable hunger for power. Dean's small, already struggling country was quickly allied with a more formidable nation.
As the war intensified, its brutal reach extended far beyond the battlefield. Dean's small nation, being on the front lines, was among the first to suffer. The meager resources available to the poor vanished entirely. Food became scarce, and the struggle for a single meal turned from difficult to desperate. Dean, who had been surviving by his wits and sheer effort, now faced a world where every piece of bread was contested, and every shelter was overcrowded. The existing misery of his life was amplified tenfold, transforming his precarious existence into a daily fight for survival against starvation and the constant threat of violence. He was thrust further into the world of adult responsibilities at the tender age of seven, witnessing the crushing weight of helplessness not just in himself, but in the masses of displaced people.
Through these vivid nightly voyages, Michael experienced Dean's harsh reality, the unpredictable nature of a life shaped by forces beyond his control. He felt the gnawing pangs of hunger and the relentless cold of a life lived outdoors. It instilled in him a profound understanding of fragility, a stark awareness of how quickly comfort could vanish, all seemingly predicated on the decisions of distant leaders locked in a senseless contest of dominance.
It was during this most arduous time that Dean awakened to the same extraordinary gift as Michael. This newfound intuition enabled him to earn just enough meager coin to sustain his own life through the darkest days.
This realization added another layer to his internal turmoil: why Dean and he possessed the same gift. As he searched for answers, Michael stumbled upon an article detailing the intellectual sparring between the physicists Boltzmann and Zermelo. Within the complex scientific debate, the concept of the multiverse – the idea that our universe might be just one of many – was briefly touched upon. This nascent idea resonated deeply with Michael's experiences. Could his dreams be glimpses into another universe, another Earth where history had taken a dramatically different turn? Was he the reincarnation of Dean?
Michael has no clear-cut answers for all these questions.
Every night, Michael absorbed more details of Dean's life, the memories and emotions seeping into his waking hours, subtly yet irrevocably altering his young personality, imbuing him with a maturity far beyond his years. While he continued to engage with his family, a part of him now resided in that other world, carrying the weight of Dean's experiences.
Those profound experiences, the echoes of Dean's hardships and the vivid understanding of life's fragility, ignited a significant shift in eight-year-old Michael's thinking. He began to contemplate the concept of power, recognizing its intricate connection to financial stability. He resolved that he would amass considerable wealth, making his family so rich and powerful that they would be the ones in control, their destinies shielded from the unpredictable forces that had plagued Dean's existence.
These were weighty thoughts for such a young boy, far beyond the typical concerns of children his age. But Michael's extraordinary experiences had undeniably set him apart, forging a maturity that belied his years. Only the unfolding future could reveal the ultimate path this newfound ambition would lead him down.
******
Having tasted success in the black liquid gold of California and the rich veins of iron and copper in various states, they turned their sights to the allure of real gold. The late 1890s saw a continued fascination with the precious metal, and the proven goldfields of California and Nevada beckoned.
Applying the same meticulous research and unwavering reliance on Michael's extraordinary gift, the Kingston family embarked on extensive travels throughout these two western states. Michael, now eight and increasingly perceptive, needed to experience the land firsthand before being able to pinpoint the most promising, as-yet untapped, gold deposits on the maps. The family, accustomed to their comfortable private railcar, journeyed across vast stretches of California and Nevada, from the rugged Sierras to the arid deserts, Michael diligently visiting potential sites. Based on his quiet pronouncements and the areas he confidently marked, John and George strategically acquired significant tracts of land known to be near existing gold mines but not currently under active operation.
While the western branch of the family focused on unearthing more of the earth's riches, Elizabeth pursued her long-held dream back in New York. With the financial stability provided by their burgeoning wealth, she decided to take a bold step and establish her own newspaper. Instead of seeking employment at an established publication, she poured her energy and intellect into creating a journalistic voice that reflected her own independent spirit and sharp insights. The newspaper, aptly named "The New York Inquirer," quickly began to carve out its niche in the competitive New York media landscape.
By the end of 1898, the cumulative success of their diverse ventures had propelled the Kingston family's financial standing to an impressive new height. Their assets, encompassing their thriving oil fields, their productive iron, copper, and now gold mines, and their astute investments in the stock market, had collectively grown to an estimated thirteen million dollars. The year marked not just a significant increase in their wealth but also a testament to their shrewd business decisions and the uncanny guidance they had come to rely on.
******
"You know," John said one evening at dinner, a thoughtful look on his face, "I was just thinking about Beaumont."
Mary looked up from her plate. "Beaumont? Your hometown, John?"
He nodded, a soft smile touching his lips. "That's right. It's been a long time since I've really talked about it. So many memories there."
"You always used to go back for your mother's anniversary, didn't you?" Mary recalled gently.
John sighed. "Yes, every year. It was important to me. But with Michael being born and everything… the business… it's been harder to get away. It hit me today – it's been five years since I was last there."
A thoughtful silence fell over the table. Then, John looked at the rest of his family, his expression warm. "I was wondering… what would you all think about going to Beaumont for Christmas and New Year this year? I'd really like Michael to see it. See where Dad and I grew up."
Mary's face brightened. "Oh, John, that sounds lovely! A change of scenery for the holidays would be wonderful."
"I've always been curious to see where you both spent your childhood," Elizabeth said, looking at John and George. "You've told us stories, but it would be nice to see it for ourselves." George nodded in agreement.
Michael, who had been listening quietly, looked up at his father John and Dad George. "Beaumont? That's where you both lived when you were little?"
"That's right, son," George smiled. "Lots of adventures there."
"I'd like to see it," Michael said, his voice clear.
"So, what do you think?" John asked, looking around the table. "Christmas and New Year in Texas? A bit warmer than New York this time of year, I imagine."
"It sounds like a wonderful idea, John," Mary affirmed. "We could all use a little break, and it would mean a lot to you, I know."
"We're in," Elizabeth said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, looking at George who nodded his agreement.
John beamed, the decision clearly making him happy. "Well then, it's settled! We'll spend Christmas and the start of the new year in Beaumont."