He kissed me, Rennie.
-- Malabar (chapter 1)

Importance: Waking Adrienne in the middle of the night, Malabar announces her first kiss with Ben. The line marks the start of the couple's lengthy affair, and initiates Adrienne's confused entanglement with her mother and her lover. Throughout the memoir, Malabar's words ring in Adrienne's mind, perpetually calling her years into the past.

I always wanted to make my mother happier.
-- Adrienne Brodeur (chapter 4)

Importance: This moment introduces and contextualizes Adrienne's constancy to her mother. Throughout the account of her relationship with Malabar, Adrienne rationalizes her mother's distorted behaviors. She believes that all her mother's suffering makes her deserving of every and any happiness. Adrienne remains loyal to Malabar even when she requires unacceptable actions from her, believing it is in her power to secure her mother's contentment.

Remember, we are two halves of one whole.
-- Malabar (chapter 8)

Importance: Malabar says this to Adrienne over the phone while Adrienne is traveling the country on...