He doesn't know when he fell asleep or how long he's slept for. Just that it seems to be late afternoon now. The guestroom is dusky and dim as the sun sets outside the window.
He can hear her humming, seeing her propped up against the pillow as she knits. She's taken up knitting as a hobby lately, just small trinkets like hearts and flowers, but this is her first big project: a doll's blanket made from pearly pink yarn.
"Feels like home to me…Feels like home to me…" she sings under her breath as she links yarn pieces. "Feels like I'm all the way back where I come from…"
Slowly he reaches out to touch her. She looks down at his hand, the paint faded with age and wear, covering her tiny, dainty one. Smiling, she sets aside her knitting. Leaning over him, she brushes his cheek and he suddenly feels warm, from his bare head all the way down to his boots.
It's everything. Those big blue eyes, that gentle touch, her sweet smile. Mostly it's just her, being right beside her…What was he worried about earlier? He can't even remember now. All he can focus on is her.
"I love you."
It's all he can say, but it's enough.
His friends are worried. He's been curled up on the sofa for three weeks. Like clockwork every day their family leaves, and then he does too. To the living room, to just lie on the far corner of the couch, staring at nothing. Even on weekends, he avoids everybody, doesn't speak except when spoken to, and even then only in clipped monosyllabic sentences.
They wish they could bring her back. She wouldn't want this. He knows she wouldn't want this. But this new numb existence goes on and on and he makes no effort to break out of it.
The two on the floor can see him prone on the couch, his back toward them. They exchange glances. She bites her lip and fiddles with her braid, almost looking tearful. She doesn't like this.
Next to her, he clears his throat. This has gone on far too long and he needs to attempt communication. "Woody?" he calls softly. "Woody, it's us…"
On the couch, he just curls up tighter and pulls a pearly pink doll's blanket over his head.