Describe and analyze the relationship between David and his father

David is disappointed that his father isn't like a sheriff that he sees in wild-west. Initially he wants his father to be like Frank but as the novel progresses. David sees more in his father. He sees the injury to his knee as part of his father's emotional pain and anguish. He sees the stresses of being a sheriff and that, in many ways, his father is a much better man than frank.