She undoubtedly did have to work late, but eating leftover stew by himself on his birthday was also punishment for talking to the new tenant when he wasn’t supposed to. If he tried to duck that punishment, it would mount up just like money in a savings account.
-- Narrator (“Low Men in Yellow Coats" Chapter 1)

Importance: Bobby gives the reader an idea of how self-centered his mother is when he indicates that he believes she will be angry with him if he does not eat the leftover stew on the night of his birthday. He also indicates that she is punishing him for talking to Ted. She took an instant dislike to Ted and wanted Bobby to do so as well.

On the Wednesday before school let out for the summer, Bobby saw a red strip of cloth hanging from somebody’s TV antenna over on Colony Street.
-- Narrator (“Low Men in Yellow Coats” Chapter 3)

Importance: Bobby has been hired by Ted to look for...