Celia, who believed in nothing but herself and the butterflies, knew that the worst fears of the streets were always real. You can find this out the hard way, or you can be watchful.”
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: These sentences appear in the opening scene and set the ominous tone. Celia notes that she might have seen hope in the eyes of the person who was in the basement of the old house, which does little to counteract the ominous tone, especially because Celia leaves without learning more.

Old men were soft and called her 'darling' and 'little baby.' They wanted to pretend she was their daughter. It was gross, but something Celia told herself she knew.”
-- Narrator (chapter 11)

Importance: Celia is comparing the attitudes of the men with whom she prostitutes herself as a means of survival. Her comment here acknowledges that her stepfather, Teddy, had begun molesting her years earlier.

We want to stay...
-- Narrator (chapter 18)