How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
At the airport, I realized we were already in different universes [...] so we parted awkwardly [...] When he was gone I felt bad, but then I [...] didn't think about him again for weeks. (2.13.10)
Despite the bond he builds with Katz on the trail, Bryson knows that they live very different lives. Bryson will go back to his quiet, quasi-British life in the countryside of New Hampshire; Katz will move to Des Moines for bone-breaking blue collar work. Still, these two dudes have shared a lot of pivotal experiences together, and that's got to be worth something.
Quote #8
I missed Katz, missed his huffing and bitching and unflappable fearlessness, hated the thought that I could sit waiting on a rock till the end of time and he would never come. (2.14.9)
Bryson is reminded how much he enjoys spending time with Katz when he starts tackling the Appalachian Trail all on his lonesome. Sure, Bryson would probably be happy to have any companion (and he does indeed pick up a slightly boring Katz stand-in at one point) but the truth is that he deeply misses the singularly amazing and annoying Stephen Katz.
Quote #9
I stared in surprise [...] In all the weeks of camping together, it was the first time he had wished me a good night. (2.19.16)
Aww—looks like the Kool Katz missed Bryson too. To be honest, this makes us realize that we haven't discussed Katz' thoughts on their friendship yet. He seems to live a pretty lonely life, so he probably secretly treasures the time spent with Bryson.