The characters / Recurring character
Willie Shearman
Willie Shearman is recorded in 5 distinct storys.
The Harwich childhood aggressor who took Bobby’s glove is later Sully-John’s Vietnam comrade and the guilt-ridden Blind Willie; all histories recur explicitly.
Stories and supporting passages
Blind Willie
Read the passage Spoilers · Story context
“Hi, you’ve reached Midtown Heating and Cooling,” Willie Shearman says. “No one can take your call right now, so leave a message at the beep.” Bee-eep.
Willie records/listens to the answering-machine greeting under his full name.
Hearts in Atlantis
Read the passage Spoilers · Story context
I’ve heard that hypnotists can do that with good subjects. “Willie took it.” “Willie?” “Willie Shearman. I saw him playing ball with it a year later, down at Sterling House. I was so mad.
Carol identifies Willie as the boy she later saw playing with the stolen glove.
Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling
Read source context Spoilers · Story context
Carol tells Bobby that Willie stole the glove.
Low Men in Yellow Coats
Read the passage Spoilers · Story context
Smiling and making no effort to hide it. “Willie Shearman, isn’t it?” The formerly cocked-back arm dropped to Willie’s side. Muttering, he bent to pick up his bike. “Richie O’Meara?”
Willie lowers his arm when addressed by name and retrieves his bicycle.
Why We’re in Vietnam
Read the passage Spoilers · Story context
embassy in Saigon and almost thirty since a Huey evacked John Sullivan, Willie Shearman, and maybe a dozen others out of Dong Ha Province.
The narrative recalls Sullivan and Willie’s evacuation from Vietnam.