In THE MOUNTAINS MAY DEPART, a year has passed since Dan and Sarah lost their four-year-old son in a car accident—one Sarah caused. Dan runs every morning to outrun grief and guilt, trying to comfort Sarah even as he drifts toward a younger colleague at work. Sarah turns to prayer and hears only silence, and as she quietly plans to leave, she wonders if forgiveness is possible, or if absence is the only mercy left.