It was the first time a man lied for me. It was the familiar ring of lifesaving untruth. A death rattle that has followed me all my life. And it was the sound that plunged me into the flashes.
-- Narrator (Part I )

Importance: Naomi believes that it was Bobby Lee’s lie that he had found no one to buy the baby so he had thrown it into a field to die that made her start having the memories of her life. She notes it was the first time a man had lied for her. While Bobby Lee’s lie might not have been for Naomi specifically, it did help to save Josey.

Maybe Hazel put a mark on the wall for me, too.
-- Narrator (Part I, 3/Flash)

Importance: Each time their mother has to give away a baby, Hazel puts a mark on the wall to represent that baby. She tells Naomi it is the way she keeps...