1) Guilt or embarrassment at having done something morally wrong. 2) Actions speak louder than words and are the only things that convince a WAW. 3) She sensed your detachment--that you were gone and was feared a loss. 4) Loss of a good friend/companion; threat of someone else grabbing you.
Anyone else out there?
I suppose these could be summarized more by "fear of loss" than "want of gain." Has that been the experience of other WAWs or their husbands who know the situation well? That is, were your wives motivated purely by what they might lose. The sales guys say they give you a free trial (a short-term set of great and loving actions) and if they try to take it away from you loss is about 4 times more powerful than want of gain. Is that what is happening when a WAW returns. They had, they lost, they want.
