My father looks right at us and says, “Never judge another man for how he tries to feed his family. We’re no better than him. We’re no better than anyone.
-- Pen's Father (chapter 1)

Importance: This quote highlights the sense of honor and responsibility that Pen's father brings to his business and the way he raised his children. Pen's father is a humble man, and while he has a successful restaurant now, he has worked immensely hard over many years to make his dreams a reality and provide for his family. When he feels as though Angel is disparaging Mr. Cantu's efforts to provide for his own family, he makes it his responsibility to provide context and compassion, a lesson for his son.

With the same hand he musses Angel’s hair, and even though I know this is all we’ll ever get, that his tenderness toward us will always be confined...
-- Pen (chapter 1)