From 'Hearts in Atlantis '  .....Blind Willieis about a Vietnam veteran's penance after the war. The maincharacter in this story is Willie Shearman, and the story takes place over asingle day in December 1983. At first we see him commuting from Connecticut toNew York City like any normal businessman; wethen discover that he elaborately disguises himself as a blind beggar. It is not an act, however, as heappears to have a somatoform disorderand becomes blind every afternoon at the time of day he was caught in afirefight and temporarily blinded. We also learn that he was in combat with JohnSullivan and Ronnie Malenfant, and saved Sullivan's life; and that Willie keepsa scrapbook about Carol Gerber. He has never forgotten the day that she wasbeaten up by Harry Doolin while he and Richie O'Meara held her down, and viewshis blindness as a form of penance.