As the figure moved closer and into better light, those watching realized that it wasn't Mitch afterall.  His mysterious entrance and the smoky lights had fed their imaginations.  They wanted it to be Mitch and so, for a few seconds it was.

     The tension went out of the room like smoke through an open window and everyone visibly relaxed.  Everyone except Faye.  Her stare was intent upon the stranger.  Her eyes clearly saw the physical differences of this man to her late husband and, at the same time she saw some remarkable resemblances.  The stranger was the same, or close approximate to Mitch in height, weight and build.  His hair and eyes were the same color, the surprised look on his face was identical to Mitch's.  Eyebrows raised just so, lips parted slightly, eyes wide and his ears...When Mitch was caught unawares or something surprised him, his ears raised.  Faye could never accurately describe it, but fundamentally, Mitch's ears raised and slowly turned a pinkish color.

     That was when she knew.  Her husband had indeed entered the room, returned from the dead.

     The stranger surveyed the room, the look of shocking surprise turned to amusement.  He stood there, in front of his silently staring friends and family, and examined himself as if he'd never seen his hands, his clothes.  He patted his stomach and cheeks.  He pinched himself and, pleased at the solid result and slight pain; he smiled and walked straight to Faye.

     "Schatzie," he said and it was Mitch's voice.  No doubt about it.  That's when Faye fainted.  Before she could fall from her chair, before anyone else could go to her aid, the stranger was there, holding her - hugging her, silent tears rolling down his face.

     Faye was unconscious for only a few seconds.  She came to in her husband's arms and wrapped her own around him.  She was never going to let him go again.  She kissed his face, from top to bottom, crying tears of joy and reunion.  Several minutes past in complete silence, save Faye's soft sobs.  Whether from the shock of the stranger's arrival or the impossible assumption that he was, in fact, Mitch - long dead, Mitch - no one spoke nor moved.

     Finally, Mitch looked up and smiled at his army buddies.  He reached out and shook each one's hand.  Pulling Faye up, his arm around her shoulder, he went to his family and drew them all in.  Hugging and kissing them all individually and then, in a large, group hug.  Tears coursed down everyone's cheeks, including the battle hardened veterans.  Slowly, everyone regained the seats and waited for Mitch to speak. 

     He stood in the center of the room, still clutching Faye and said, "I know you're all curious about...well....hell, I don't know what to tell you."  He paused for a few seconds.  "As the plane was going down, after I'd called Faye...it took a long time.  I mean, the pilots were apparently struggling to regain control and several times it appeared that they had but....anyway, you all know my thoughts about mind over matter and how the mind can do some amazing things.  I thought...I know this sounds strange but....I concentrated on surviving the crash."

     He grinned, kissed Faye and continued, "I know what you're thinking...'hell, everyone thinks they'll survive the crash'...right?  That's not what I meant.  I had no illusions that my body was not going to live through this.  I was concentrating on my mind, my soul surviving.  More than that, I wanted my spirit not to go wherever spirits go when the body dies.  I wanted to my spirit to stay here and somehow....somehow, reconnect."

     Mitch looked around at blank faces.  A couple were nodding in understanding but, for the most part, everyone was just staring at him.  "I'm sorry.  I wish I could explain it better."  He stopped and walked Faye back to her chair.  She sat but Mitch remained standing right next to her.

     "There was no bright light, no tunnel that spiraled into....whatever.  I didn't see my life pass before my eyes or hear long gone relatives calling me."  He looked down at Faye and stroked her hair.  "There was no pain."  She squeezed his hand and a fresh flow of tears trickled from the corner's of her eyes.

     Suddenly, Mitch's face went completely blank.  He seemed frozen in place for several seconds.  Long enough for Faye to look up and Troy to lean forward. Something new was happening to Mitch and everyone picked up on it. 

     Mitch dropped Faye's hand and took several steps back, away from the group. He looked wildly around as if seeing everyone for the first time.  "Who the hell are you?" He asked.  He looked around the room, patted himself, much the same as Mitch had done earlier. 

     Eyes wide, near panic, the man cried, "Where the hell am I?"