Besides time, what else can we learn from this story? Well there is the mythic component of the story, because midway through the plot, the reader is given interesting information about the character they have been reading about. Is this story about the literal "Father Time?" It seems to be about love as well, given that almost everything Father Time does is motivated by reuniting to his wife. This story shows time as a kind of Dao-like balance between the wife, and Father Time that moves forward toward the eventual reconciling of male and female back into harmony.
The idea of harmony is contrasted with time throughout the novel. And, the introitus leaves us with the impression that harmony isn't something this couple had before. It isn't a surprise that this married couple has reached impasses. To say marriage is about union is the same as saying marriage is about conquering the dividing forces that keep us apart. The novel offers Father Time as a protagonist to that effect, finding ways to bring things together that were apart. He is like a space zipper who pulls existential fabrics together as he moves.
How does Sarah's story help illumine his role as a peace bringer? He helps her work through embarrassment. But that seems different than what the husband and wife were fighting about, and yet the plot positions it as a helpful moment in Father Time's own life. How does moving in time help him to avoid embarrassment? He can honor the past, and he can see that death is eventually going to meet us all anyway, so in light of those dual honors, he can help others push through their negative emotion. After all, we only have a limited amount of time—why not spend as much of it with loved ones, being peaceful if possible?
