The last time we slept together was at least five or six years ago.”
-- Duncan (2002 )

Importance: Duncan is telling Jane about his ex-wife, Aggie, and this detail is significant because Aggie was married to Gary at the time. This, combined with Duncan's tendency to move from one woman to another with very little thought, makes Jane worry throughout most of their relationship.

You brought other people's things home – soup tureens, suitcases, husbands – and tried to love them as best you could, but it didn't always work.”
-- Narrator (2002 )

Importance: Jane spends a lot of time at the thrift store and has just discovered a soup tureen she bought there belonged to Aggie and Duncan when they were married. She is beginning to realize that a relationship with Duncan will never work out because he does not want to make a commitment.

It was so easy to make Jimmy happy. It was actually so easy to...
-- Narrator (2005 )