If James could have been happy with Sarah

Either way, they would have had to leave that area. She said she wasn't leaving due to her family. Some may say it is easy to do good even In that environment. It's possible. Rarely, wait never have I seen it happen.

IME The only way out of that life when you are sucked in so young is to move elsewhere.

She would have wound up his crutch and the minute things got tough he certainly would have wound up right back on the streets. Walking away from him was very wise of Sarah. He had to make it on his own and figure out his life.