Nemecia stopped seeing me, and without her gaze I became indistinct to myself.
-- Maria (Nemecia)

Importance: Maria and Nemecia’s relationship was defining in Maria’s childhood. Without her attention, Maria no longer knows who she is.

Monica held herself aloof, determined that people understand she wasn’t like them.
-- Narrator (Mojave Rats)

Importance: Monica feels better than the people that live in the trailer park. It is important to her to be distinguished from them.

He was relieved by how easily the obligation slipped from his shoulders.
-- Narrator (Amadeo) (The Five Wounds)

Importance: This refers how easily it was for Amadeo to leave his daughter and let go of his responsibilities of being a father.

Frances hated the implication that she ought to appear good-natured for someone else’s benefit.
-- Narrator (Frances) (Night at the Fiestas)

Importance: Frances thinks this after the artist tells her to smile. It bothers her being told what to do for her face.

Jeff and his grandmother were the doers, the fixers, and now...
-- Narrator (Jeff) (The Outhouse)