She’d promised herself that if her mommy ever came back, she’d be good. Perfect. Whatever she’d done or said that was so wrong, she’d fix or change. More than anything she wanted to make her mommy proud.
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: Cloud’s abandonment of Tully destroys her self-esteem. As a child, Tully blames herself for her mother’s failings and is desperate to secure her mother’s love and admiration. This desperation follows her throughout her life and foreshadows how Tully will continue to try and make her mother love her.

It’s never good to sit around and wait for someone or something to change your life… One thing I can tell you for sure is this: we only regret what we don’t do in life.”
-- Mrs. Mularkey (chapter 3)

Importance: Mrs. Mularkey’s advice foreshadows Kate’s own attitude towards life and love. As an adult, Kate waits around for Johnny...