How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Calling like birds and animals wasn't just a game they played. It was the way M.C. announced he was there without Ben's daddy and his uncles finding out. M.C. wouldn't have wanted to run into the Killburn men any more than he would want his own father to know he was playing with Ben. (1.34)
What M.C. and Ben share is more than just a secret friendship—they also share a language built around nature. So if you think about it, nature helps hide what ought to already be natural—a friendship between boys of similar interests and age.
Quote #2
For a moment they stared at one another in a silent regard. M.C. liked Ben and felt sorry for his being small and alone when he didn't want to be either. He admired Ben because Ben was a witchy. And he knew that Ben thought a lot of him, since he was like no other boy and would play with Ben. Tall and powerful, M.C. didn't mind being by himself, could do anything well. (1.65)
This is the set-up to Ben and M.C.'s friendship: M.C.'s the alpha male, and Ben's the follower. As long as things stay like this, M.C.'s cool with Ben. But that's not necessarily how things will stay, especially when Lurhetta Outlaw enters the picture…
Quote #3
The problem for both of them was that they couldn't walk a path together for fear M.C.'s father or others might see them. M.C. would walk the paths and Ben would stalk him, hidden in the trees. (1.67)
Is it just us, or is this whole friendship between the boys a little unbalanced? Why does M.C. get the paths out in the open while Ben goes through the trees? Why not the other way around? Okay, sure M.C.'s father might see Ben if he were on the path, but then Mr. Killburn might see M.C. What's the difference?