Voskuil writes: “His mother, distracted, had turned off the spotlights and he did not protest against the darkness. » (468). Darkness can mean many things symbolically, but for Gary, it's a quiet place to sit and reflect on everything that happened that day. It had been a long, sad day for everyone at the beach and Gary needed some time to absorb everything he had seen and heard earlier. Darkness can symbolize grief or loss, even loneliness. For Gary, this night contains all of that. The sadness of losing the young boy to the ocean currents, the loss felt by the boy's family and friends, and the sadness they feel as well. Gary sits in the dark drinking his single malt because he doesn't mind being reminded of the events that happened earlier in the day. It's a way that allows him to think about it for a long time.