Why'd you give him all that stuff after he tried to rob me?" "Because he was less fortunate than us, Natty. And Daddy always said that we have to be… - Gabrielle Zevin

Despite the fact that he loves books and owns a bookstore, A.J. does not particularly care for writers. He finds them to be unkempt, narcissistic, silly, and generally unpleasant people. He tries to avoid the ones who've written books he loves for fear that they will ruin their books for him.

It's hard to believe. Where does the times go?' Betty sighs. 'I've always hated that phrase. It makes it would like time went on a holiday, and is expected back any day now. Time flies is another one I hate. Apparently, time does quite a bit of traveling, though.

Owen doesn't watch when they place Liz in the River, next to all the other babies who would be born that day. Nor does he watch when the launch nurse pushes Liz away from the shore into the current that leads back to Earth. To the untrained observer, it seems as if Liz's departure has no effect on Owen whatsoever.
Curtis Jest watches Owen before deciding to go over to him.
"Owen," Curtis asks, "do you remember who that was?"
Owen looks up from playing with the boat. He appears to find Curtis's question difficult. "Lizzie?"
"Yes," says Curtis, "that was Lizzie. She was my friend. She was your...your friend, too."
Owen continues playing with the boat. He begins singing Liz's name in the unaffected way children will sometimes sing a name. "Lizzie, Lizzie, Lizzie," he sings. Owen stops singing abruptly and looks up at Curtis. A horrified expression crosses Owen's face. "Is she...gone?"
"Yes," says Curtis.
Owen nods. "Gonegonegonegonegone." Owen begins to cry in an undignified manner, although he isn't entirely sure why he is crying. Curtis takes Owen's hand, leading Owen away from the puddle.
"You know," says Curtis, "you may see her again someday."
"Cool," says Owen, and with that, he stops crying.