Harry sways with the force of her feelings, dwarfed by sudden grief, and the guilt of knowing life goes on.
-- Harry (chapter 2)

Importance: Harry has just met her old friend, Reggie, unexpectedly on the street. Reggie's mother has just passed away, and since he and Harry have a long history together, she also knows that he has struggled with his own sobriety and with custody of his children. Harry feels badly for him, so badly that her reaction to his life event that she is almost bowled over by the force of her feeling. This quote is similar to Harry's reactions to terrible things throughout the novel: she is emotionally overwhelmed, but she must continue anyway.

We're so lonely in this city."
-- Harry (chapter 2)

Importance: Harry has met Becky for the first time and immediately tells Becky more about herself than she would normally tell a stranger. For example, she tells Becky about her dream of...