This is a story that begins with a barbeque.
-- Clementine (Chapter 1)

Importance: At the beginning of the novel, Erika attends a talk given by Clementine. Clementine’s opening lines set the stage not only for her talk, but for the novel itself. The novel itself revolves around a barbeque –a barbeque that apparently proved to be a life-changing event.

What if we hadn’t gone?... Do you ever think about that?
-- Clementine (Chapter 15)

Importance: While out for dinner with Sam, Clementine echoes sentiments expressed by many other characters in the novel so far. All of these particular characters wonder what would have happened if they had never gone to the barbeque. Here, the author continues to build suspense about the barbeque itself by continuing to withhold from the readers the events of that night.

We’re asking… the reason we wanted to talk to you today, well, we’re wondering if you would consider being our...
-- Oliver (Chapter 15)