The worst question in the whole entire world, as it turned out.
-- Narrator (Prologue)

Importance: When Edi's doctors tell Ash and Jude there is nothing else they can do to treat Edi, Ash and Jude are forced to confront Edi about how she wants to spend her final days. The author is using this moment to mark the inciting incident of the novel. Indeed, because Ash is so close with Edi, she has been reluctant to confront the truth of her friend's condition. This line from the novel's prologue establishes Edi's imminent death and Ash's subsequent loss as primary sources of narrative conflict.

But there's not a ton of suspense. I mean, the narrative arc is kind of predictable.
-- Edi (chapter 6)

Importance: Throughout Edi's time at Shapely, Ash spends hours of every day by her bedside. In this scene, the friends are remarking upon the humorous facets of life at Shapely. Because Edi is always urging...