 Why does the protagonist want to get back to his wife?
HOMECOMING BY MIGUEL HIDALGO What lasts forever? Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] They had no place in the dust-caked, tired body, yet there they were, seeking, always seeking—searching the clear horizon, and never seeming to find what they sought. They were nearing a river; the water would be welcome on tired bodies and dry throats. He spurred his horse, and when they reached the water's edge, he dismounted and unsaddled the horse. Then both man and horse plunged headlong into the waiting torrent, deep into the cool embrace of the clear liquid. Then he led him silently to a grassy slope where he hobbled him and left him for the night. Refreshed and momentarily content, he sat staring into the dying fire, seeing the bright glowing coals as living fingers clutching at the wood in consuming embrace, taking all and returning nothing but ashes. Images began to appear, drawn from inexhaustible files, wherein are kept all thoughts, past, present, and future.... It was the night before he was to go overseas. World War III had been declared, and he had enlisted, receiving his old rank of captain. He held her very close, feeling the warmth from her body flowing into his and making him oblivious to everything except that she was there in his arms and that he was sinking deep, deep into a familiar sea, where he had been many times before but each time found something new and unexplored, some vastly different emotion he could never quite explain. When he opened it, he found a picture of her in one side, and in the other a picture of the children. He took her in his arms again, and loosened her long, black hair, burying his face in it for a moment. Then he kissed her, and instantly was drawn down into the abyss which seemed to have no beginning or any end. He had driven off in the jeep the army had sent for him, watching her there on the porch until the mist swirled around her feet and she ran back into the house and slammed the door. Three days later they had landed in Spain, merged with another division, then crossed the Pyrenees into France, and finally to Paris where the fighting had begun. Three years later they were on the road to Moscow. The Russians had not yet used the H-bomb; the threat of annihilation by the retaliation forces had been too great.
 He promised that his love is “forever” and that he would return from the war.
 He promised that he would return home after the Americans won the war.  He promised that his love is “forever” and that he would return from the war.  He promised that his love is “forever” and that he would take her to Europe once the war ended.  He promised that he would return the locket she lent him for the war.