In what way does Earl Willis become a sort of protector to Malcolm on the bus ride from Lansing to Boston in the book, X: A Novel?

Earl Willis, the African American coal miner Malcolm meets on the bus ride from Lansing to Boston, looks out for Malcolm during their journey. He asserts that Malcolm is his nephew when questioned by the bus driver because he knows that an accompanied black minor could easily become the victim of racially-motivated violence on a cross-country bus trip. He also tries to cover Malcolm's eyes so he will not see the lynched man hanging from the tree, and tells Malcolm that someday things will be better, a sentiment that Malcolm does not believe.