But still, you know how it is when you’re missing a loved one. You try to turn every stranger into the person you were hoping for.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1 paragraph Page 39)

Importance: This is when Denny has disappeared for many years and then at the family's summer vacation they think that they see him sitting in a car watching them. At first they rationalize that they just want it to be him.

The disappointments seemed to escape the family’s notice, though. That was another of their quirks: they had a talent for pretending that everything was fine. Or maybe it wasn’t a quirk at all.
-- Narrator (Chapter 2 paragraph Page 57)

Importance: This quote comes after the reader learns about the two great Whitshank family stories involving Junior and Merrick. Both had boded their time and then in the end not been happy with what they received.

...that’s nothing compared to what happens when a house is left on...
-- Red (Chapter 3 paragraph Page 71)