Mom says you get two birthdays. The firs one is the day you are born. The second is the day you leave home and give birth to yourself.”
-- Tilla (chapter 1)

Importance: This is Tilla's interpretation of what is happening to her when she is at the airport preparing to fly to Jamaica with Mia, leaving Marie behind. This is a major step in Tilla's coming-of-age because she can imagine nothing more monumental at this moment. The scene is significant because Tilla echoes most of these exact thoughts as she is leaving Jamaica for Canada after having endured a literal hurricane and the storm of learning her father has a partner and son in Jamaica.

Even though Herma is the oldest and seemingly the highest in ranking of the house, around my father, she becomes the help.”
-- Tilla (chapter 3)

Importance: Herma and Tilla were in the midst of their first altercation when Tyson entered. Tilla noted a...