I should tell you now that I was one of the suspects.
-- The narrator (chapter 1 paragraph 16)

Importance: This admission by the narrator sets a tone for the rest of the novel. He is openly acknowledging that he was one of four suspects in the rape of Lindy Simpson. This is the first of many statements by him giving clues or reasons for why he might, indeed, be guilty. His possible involvement continues throughout the novel.

Oh, honey," my mother said. "Is that me?" It wasn't her fault. She simply underestimated the distance already between us.
-- The narrator (chapter 3 paragraph 14)

Importance: The narrator is making a full-figure picture of Lindy out of bark strips as he is watching her do yard work across the street. He is thinking specifically about each curved body part as he is building the picture. His mother suddenly walks up behind him and he instantly feels "caught" and ashamed of what he is doing. But his...