Benny’s first memory of Byron: They are sitting on the couch, she is settled under her brother’s arm, and Byron is reciting adventure stories to her from a book. His feet can already touch the floor. Byron stops to fluff Benny’s hair with his fingers, to pull on her earlobes, to pinch her nostrils shut, to tickle her until she is breathless with laughter, until she is dying of happiness.
-- Benny (Pages 15 - 75)

Importance: Benny and Byron's relationship had previously been one of warmth, support, and safety. Their age gap also meant that Byron had already experienced many of the life events and milestones that Benny would begin struggling with and so he was comfortable assuming the role of leading and protecting his younger sister as much as he could. This quote signals the sharp contrast in their relationship and the difficulty they will find in putting themselves back together again...