Familial relationships are prominent across the novel’s plotlines. In addition to the novel’s biological and adoptive families, Wilde functions as a parental figure for the neglected Naomi and the fatherless Matthew, highlighting that family need not be defined by legal or blood ties.

Wilde acts as Matthew’s father throughout most of the book, rescuing him from Crash Maynard, giving him fatherly advice, and reprimanding him when he has done wrong. He is concerned that Matthew will grow up fatherless and wants to do everything he can to make up for David’s absence in the boy’s life. However, there is always an obstacle blocking their relationship—Wilde isn’t Matthew’s biological father, as nearly everyone says at some point. The Crimsteins’ inability to conceive of family in an alternative way means that Wilde never receives due credit for his role in Matthew’s life, and his role gradually lessens. Laila gets a new beau, and Matthew gets a new father figure; Hester sees Wilde as David’s friend but never a father.

Wilde’s relationship with Naomi ends on a more hopeful note. Naomi needs a father figure given that her adoptive parents, Bernard and Pia, are inadequate in every way. They give her very little support when she is being bullied at school, Pia ultimately abandons her, and Bernard does little to get Naomi back when she disappears.