Who is Richard from When You Reach Me and what is their importance?

Richard is the boyfriend of Miranda's mother. Richard is a lawyer with the law firm where Miranda's mother works. Richard is perfect, at least in the opinion of Miranda's mother. However, Richard is just a simple man who loves Miranda and her mother and wants to marry them. In the end, Miranda's mother gets over her fear of commitment and change, allowing Richard to have a key to their apartment.