But Cathy was also their friend, and even though she occupied a slightly odd role in the group — the sexual, moody dancer, the emotionally overwhelming girl — she was one of them, and she wouldn’t do such a vindictive thing to Goodman, and yet for some reason she had.
-- Narrator (Part One, Chapter Eight paragraph 13)

Importance: Although Cathy claims that she has been raped, many of the members of the group believe that Cathy is being vindictive in saying that Goodman raped her. Although it is Cathy who has possibly been violated, it is as if the group members feel their group unity has been violated because Cathy has accused Goodman of a crime.

There were six people altogether in this single-bulb-lit conical wooden structure. They would meet again whenever they could over the rest of the summer, and frequently in New York City over the next year and a half. There would be one more summer...
-- Narrator (Part one, Chapter One paragraph 27)