That is actually, deep. I can't find another word, but you are clearly a very insightful and observant reader. My characters may often appear as they landed in the story, but in my head, they have backgrounds, history, interactions that don't happen on screen. Of course, it is up to me to let the readers see through and at least guess some of these details that are not made public directly (because it would read like a boring exposition). If I manage to do that or not, you, guys, are invited to tell me at the end of each story. My goal is to make everything clear by the time the words THE END rolled down on the screen.
The thing with your dad and that single mom is very touching. It shows how generous he was, and selfless. That's not something you see every day, that's for sure. There are many things we don't know, even about the people who are closest to us, for various reasons.
Just the same, you are guessing something here, and that makes me happy. It means that I didn't deliver Tom just as a stubborn man who believes that Jett should marry the mother of his child just because that is how 'is done'. There is more here, so thank you for catching the glimpse of that. When everything becomes clear, you tell me more I love hearing from you!