And he would normally have said no, would normally have said no that it looked too hokey to have a hatchet on your belt. Those were the normal things he would say. But her voice was thin, had a sound like something thin that would break if you touched it, and he felt bad for not speaking to her.
-- Brian (Chapter 1 paragraph 49)

Importance: This quote illustrates the tension in the relationship between Brian and his mother. It also notes Brian's maturity in recognizing that his mother is suffering from the tension as much as he is suffering.

Be asleep, his mind screamed at the pilot. Just be asleep and your eyes will open now and your hands will take the controls and your feet will move to the pedals—but it did not happen.
-- Brian (Chapter 2 paragraph 2)

Importance: This quote illustrates Brian's reaction to the death of the pilot and the reality of his situation.

Then a wild...
-- Brian (Chapter 3 paragraph 12)