That was extremely beautiful, Dave. And it must be the WAFFiest thing I've ever read by you!
I, too, loved the ending:
"I love you," she whispered, her voice hoarse from sleep and her eyes misted in relief.
He smiled at her gently. "I know."
"You know, huh?" Her lips turned up. He was back. He'd come back.
"Yeah. Chair... table... mirror... Lois." His grin widened. "I know the important stuff. We've got plenty of time for the rest to come back to me."
He leaned forward slowly and she met him halfway. They'd have plenty of time for the details later.
Yes, chair, table, mirror, Lois, and he loves Lois, and she loves him. The rest is really just background information.
Lovely.
Ann