How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Ben stared at him with the slightest sign of irritation.
Witchy eyes. Witchy fingers, M.C. thought meanly.
Lurhetta suddenly clutched Ben by the hand, as if his six fingers meant nothing to her. She started down into the hub, supporting herself on Ben's arm. (11.29-31)
Yes, M.C. and Ben have just let a girl come between them. A classic love triangle… which of course seems silly if you consider the fact that the girl doesn't seem romantically interested in either guy.
Quote #8
"You going to eat that rabbit for supper?" Ben asked him. Something of their friendship of a few hours ago passed between them. Ben, innocent, and learning from M.C. But on the Mound, somehow that friendship was changing. (12.173)
Ben and M.C.'s friendship is changing because, on the Mound, Ben's the more knowledgeable one. Or at least his family is. The Killburns live in a completely different way from the Higgins, and even though M.C. feels weird while he's there, he also recognizes that the Killburns' way of living isn't necessarily a bad one. For one, they have more food than he has ever seen. Plus, there's Lurhetta—she sides with Ben, and that just throws everything off-kilter with the boys.
Quote #9
M.C. watched, his hand tight on the knife. If Ben had to outrun Jones, M.C. knew he would throw the knife to wound. Ever so carefully, he shifted the knife and held the blade point between thumb and finger. But he's your father. Not if he runs off Ben. (14.188-190)
Now that's friendship. Being willing to throw a knife at your dad in order to protect your best friend… M.C. also ends up showing us how wrong Jones is about everything, especially Ben and the Killburns. Sometimes friendship is more valuable than family because it forces us to re-examine what family means.