Did she give up? was there something so crushing that she retreated into regular rhythms and roads walked over and over again (see Jessica Anderson's Tirra Lirra By the River for some lovely use of walking patterns; also Paul Auster).
a child that died, maybe?
and the healing force of a particular place and routine may have brought her to be ready to walk on; this is the tragedy of growth and change; what supports us and helps us learn cannot come on to the next stage with us.
is he in that category? or is it just that he doesn't know if he wants to come onwards, and onwards in the direction she's chosen?