A girl. Somehow she knew. A girl who, not so long ago, stood somewhere, her gaze long and steady, as if she had all the time in the world.
-- Narrator (chapter 2)

Importance: The quote speaks to how Jess’ life is cut short, although she showed promise.

For better or worse, this was home. She could stay here and wait. She could do that much.
-- Narrator (chapter 3)

Importance: The quote illustrates why Maud decided to stay in Sycamore after Jess’ disappears. Maud does not feel like she can leave until Jess is found.

There it was, the news most everyone in town worried they would see some day, the news they’d been waiting for even when they forgot they were waiting.
-- Narrator (chapter 4)

Importance: The quote demonstrates how the town lives with not knowing what happened to Jess as a part of life, yet the news is what they have been expecting all along.

For weeks, she did not...
-- Narrator (chapter 8)