In Zachary Beaver Came to Town, Toby's family is different from Cal's in many ways. First, Toby's family is what is called a 'broken' family. His mother decided to pursue a career in the country music industry and just left her family in Texas to fend for themselves. This, of course, damanges Toby. His father is quiet and reserved. Cal's family is loud and crass, but there are a mother and father in the home. Cal's brother Wayne dies in Vietnam.
