Under the Feet of Jesus: Family Structure

I find it interesting that in every book we have read it has always been the father figure that is off in some way.  Wether he is an adopted sort of father, or nonexistent all together. They always seems to be a mother figure who is there and in the forefront for the entire novel but a shakey father figure.
      The same applies to this novel as we learn that the father ran off on them long ago and Perfecto, although he has made it perfectly clear that he is not their father, takes that fatherly figure place.  Throughout the entire book Perfecto has one foot out the door.  He says repeatedly that he is not their father, and we as the readers catch him planing his escape from the family multiple times.  When it comes down to it, however, Perfecto is a permanent part of the family.  Even when he is irritated the twins can being to play with his hands and this gentle touch soothes him in an odd way. It seems like he tells himself he isnt their father, tells everyone else that, and plans his escape all in a desperate attempt to not feel stuck in the family.  By having one foot out the door and always looking into the past and thinking into the future rather than being in the present, Perfecto thinks he is giving himself options.  When it comes down to it, however, he may not be blood related but his loyalties lie with the family.  He knows and understands that they need him, and I believe he truly needs them as well.  He could never actually make that move to leave them because wether he is ready to admit it or not, they are his family.  He is always thinking of his past and wanting to go back home, but he is older now, nothing is there for him back home, is whole life, wether he likes it or not, lies with this adopted family,