They had been divorced for two decades, but Laverna would capitalize on any grief to get out of making a mixed drink.
-- Laverna ("Sweet Thing" )

Importance: Laverna's ex-husband Frank has just killed himself. Even though she is not sad about her ex-husband's death, Laverna has been telling patrons at her bar that she is depressed so she does not have to make mixed drinks. This behavior is indicative of Laverna's attitude overall: she is interested in money, but she wants to do the least amount of work to earn it. She does not take pride in hard work and does the minimum whenever she can.

Laverna had given up before Rachel was old enough for a bra, and that was not what mothers were supposed to do.
-- Rachel ("Until She Tells You to Stop" )

Importance: Rachel and Laverna have not spoken to one another for nine years. At this point in the novel, the reader knows that Rachel has done something that...