Aja weighed the tomatoes, eyed the chickens in their pens. Used that time to make plans, wanted to get her ass off the island. Knew the thing about the Caribbean is everyone wants to be there, until they finally, eventually, realize they'll never leave. Our girl knew that like she knew the soles of her feet.
-- Narrator (Alief)

Importance: The first person plural narrator, the entire neighborhood of Alief, reflects on Aja's decision to emigrate to the United States, capturing the shrewd, calculating side of character. She weighed the tomatoes and eyed the chickens, but she was assessing Paul as well, ultimately determining that he was her best bet for getting out of Jamaica. This story's language often contains a musical rhythm that is evident here, and this quote also contains a simile - Aja knew she was stuck in her native country as well as she knew her own feet.

Aja was...
-- Narrator (Alief)