In A Ring of Endless Light (1980, ISBN 0-374-36299-8), Zachary reenters Vicky's life the following summer, having failed to write or call during the period covered in The Young Unicorns. As the story opens, Zach's apparently suicidal behavior in a small boat near fictional Seven Bay Island has, in the eyes of Vicky and her sister, resulted in the death by heart attack of Commander Rodney of the Coast Guard. Vicky and her family are on the island caring for her grandfather, retired Reverend Eaton, who is dying of leukemia. Zach himself has recently experienced the death of his mother "in an automobile accident in California" which he says was "her own fault." This is one of many instances of death and dying mentioned in the book. As Zach competes with Leo Rodney and Adam Eddington for Vicky's attention, he takes her to a concert and up in a plane, but again behaves recklessly, both behind the wheel of a car and during a flying lesson. In a moment of crisis, Zach deserts Vicky at a nearby hospital on the island. He did this not because of selfish reasons, but because the nauseating smell of the hospital reminded him of his time spent there.
Read more about this topic: Zachary Gray
Famous quotes containing the words endless light, ring, endless and/or light:
“I saw Eternity the other night,
Like a great ring of pure and endless light,”
—Henry Vaughan (1622–1695)
“When the merry bells ring round,
And the jocund rebecks sound
To many a youth and many a maid,
Dancing in the chequered shade;
And young and old come forth to play
On a sunshine holiday,”
—John Milton (1608–1674)
“Better that endless notes beseech
As many nights, as many dawns,
If finally God grants the wish.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)
“For light doth seize my brain
With frantic pain.”
—William Blake (1757–1827)