I have a good memory - or I thought I did. I still didn't know who he was."
-- Victor (1 )

Importance: Victor meets his old schoolmate, Ed Fitzpatrick, in a bar after he returns to his hometown following his divorce. He cannot remember this person at all, though he thinks he has a fine memory. This situation indicates that Victor cannot always predict the memories that will come back into his life. Further, he may remember things he did not want to remember through a random series of circumstances.

Victor Forde, I can never resist your smile."
-- Brother Murphy (2 )

Importance: Brother Murphy, Victor's teacher in secondary school, tells Victor that he likes to see him smile. This, of course, gets Victor teased by the other boys throughout the rest of high school. He can never live it down. This small event demonstrates how the other boys' teasing can become more significant than the original event.

And...
-- Victor (chapter 4)