Summary

In Part IV, “1864,” “O’Shea, The Only Key,” throughout O’Shea’s recovery, the “elderly surgeon and his wife” became his benefactors (263). He lived with them in their home near the hospital. Because they had lost the orphaned grandson they had adopted, they treated O’Shea like family.

To repay the couple, O’Shea tried to help them around the house as best as he could. Whenever he found himself remembering “who he was,” he vowed “never to shoot a gun again” (263). When the memories faded again, he grieved his past. However, sometimes his memories returned as terrifying nightmares.

Eventually, Dr. O’Shea gave O’Shea more responsibilities at the hospital. He thought that other injured soldiers would trust O’Shea because he understood “their experience” (265). He promised O’Shea that as he gained experience, “another opportunity [would] present itself” (265). In...