"Well, also with Richard's character, he argues with Anita. And of course everyone is annoyed by that. But think about it. What is he arguing for? What is he arguing about? Alot of it, is he's arguing for her morals, her Christian views, and what he sees as right and wrong. She use to see life this way till she changed through out the story. So in a way Richard is an important character. He points out things that are seen as wrong and addresses them to Anita. Even his own issues with her are annoying. But it's probably why Anita still talks to him. I don't know."