They didn’t need to feel sorry for me. I was nothing like Mother. After all, Mother was only half the equation.
-- Josie (Chapter 2 paragraph 2)

Importance: As Josie heads to work at the bookshop – or as Josie heads around anywhere in town – people whisper behind her back to call her mother a whore and to pretend that they feel sorry for Josie. This angers Josie tremendously, both because she is her own person, and because the pity expressed for Josie is fake. Josie has been saving up money so that she can leave New Orleans, and have her own life.

I was getting out of New Orleans. My plan included bus fare and cash reserves to cover a full year of living expenses, enough time to get me on my feet.
-- Josie (Chapter 2 paragraph 22)

Importance: Josie reveals that she has secretly been saving up money so that she can leave New Orleans. She is tired of having to...