Much of the book is a metaphor for relationships. Throughout the book Thad's actions were directly tied to his relationships. He married at a young age because he has been kicked out of his house based on his actions. He no longer had a relationship with his parents or siblings. Therefore, he had no support. He and his wife were a relatively quiet couple when they were together at the beginning of the book. It wasn't until he moved to Texas that he decided to force himself to become more outgoing because wanted to develop a relationship with the other co-ops. This time, he wanted to be a leader in the relationships.