Ben is Mary Lou Finney's cousin. He is living with the Finney's temporarily. He has large black eyes and black eyelashes. Ben is in Sal's class at school. He draws cartoons as a means of expressing himself. Ben likes Sal. He watches her and, from time to time, he tries to kiss her. He is perceptive, noticing that every time he touches Sal, she jumps. Ben seems to understand Sal. In English class, the students have to spontaneously draw a picture of their souls. Ben's picture is identical to Sal's.
Like Sal, Ben is suffering. Sal's mother abandoned her by leaving and then dying. Ben's mother abandoned him by being sick and needing to be in a mental hospital. Ben is lonely. He visits his mother even though she doesn't seem to be aware of his presence. Ben has a connection to Sal and falls in love with her.
