If anyone can make me feel better, it will be him. Lolo and I always talk after school.”
-- Merci (chapter 2)

Importance: Merci has arrived home from school to discover that the police drove Lolo home after he tried to pick up the wrong children. At this point, she has not learned the truth about Lolo's situation, that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but she has noticed that his memory is slipping. The fact that she wants to spend time with him and knows he can help her feel better about her day is a sign of how close their relationship is, which is why this diagnosis will hit her especially hard.

That's all I'd need – another reason for Edna to think she's better than me. She isn't here on scholarship, of course.”
-- Merci (chapter 3)

Importance: Merci has been assigned to the Sunshine Buddies Club and is happy when the club's organizer does not say anything...