In A House Like a Lotus (1984, ISBN 0-374-33385-8), Zach meets Polly O'Keefe in Athens, Greece shortly after a traumatic event in Polly's life, and possibly three years after the events of A Ring of Endless Light. Nominally a law student from UCLA by this point, he is taking time off from school to travel in Europe and rethink his priorities. He takes Polly sightseeing, makes her feel physically attractive for the first time, has serious discussions with her about Greek history and philosophy as well as more personal matters, and generally helps to rebuild Polly's damaged ego. As a result of his conversations with Polly about her uncle, Sandy Murry, an altruistic "anti-corporate" lawyer, Zach announces his intention to return to school, and possibly aim at a less selfish, ruthless approach to life and to business than that of Zach's father. Later, on Cyprus, Zachary recklessly takes Polly in a rented kayak beyond the marked enclosure into unsafe waters, and overturns the kayak while attempting a kiss. Polly helps to keep him from drowning until help arrives. Despite his poor behavior, Polly forgives him, which in turn helps her to forgive her mentor Max.
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Famous quotes containing the words house and/or lotus:
“A serious house on serious earth it is,
In whose blent air all our compulsions meet,
Are recognised, and robed as destinies,
And that much never can be obsolete,”
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“It’s a mining town in lotus land.”
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