I actually do think that without Dean Sal is much better off. Yes, he does run back to his aunt, but he does go to college, studies, and kind of settles down compared to what his life on the road is like. Once he hits the road again, he is in complete chaos. And the only place where he actually seems successful is when he's at his aunt's. But of course he always skips that part of the book so we don't really know for sure.

Does anyone else want to learn more about his aunt? I really do. Especially the way he greets him and cooks for him she seems like the person who's always coming to save him. But I know for sure that Sal won't waste any time talking about her.