who is jan burres, and how did she figure into chris's travels?

Jan Burres is a motherly figure to Chris; she encounters him on the side of the road and she and her boyfriend pick him up. She tries to give him advice about how one lives "on the road" and she suggests that he reconnect with his mother, a step she wishes she could take with her own son. She gives him motherly advice and hopes he will outgrow his rash, often thoughtless decision making.