Usually my dad cleaned up before he went to bed, but when he wasn't around, the evidence remained there in the light of day when I came down to breakfast.
-- Emma (narration) (Prologue)

Importance: Emma tells readers this as she tells readers about her memories of her mother and what made her tired. The quote shows how Emma's father tries to only let Emma see the good things about her mother and hides her problems, just as he hides evidence of her drinking problem when he is there.

Never mind that I was an anxious girl, always had been, and choices of any kind were my kryptonite.
-- Emma (narration) (chapter 1)

Importance: Emma tells readers this as she relates details about the wedding planning and tells readers how being allowed to choose her own dress caused her to panic. The story serves to show how she has problems when she has to make choices and foreshadows her actions when...