Fred And Kelly served as Saul's adoptive family; they took on the role of his parents without any conditions. They provided Saul with a place to live and a feeling of self outside of the residential school. "Martha and Fred Kelly treated me well." They made no effort to parent. They agreed to be friends, and Virgil and I became close.
Saul receives from Virgil the unconditional love, support, and consolation of a brother. Additionally, Virgil displays his beneficial influence on the protagonist by regularly placing himself in Saul's shoes. Saul and Virgil converse while sitting on the bleachers after hockey practise.
Saul is so much smaller than the other guys that his appearance is frequently met with laughing. But his teammates refer to him as their "secret weapon" because they are aware of his potential.