Is there a strong relationship between the boy and his father in The Road?

Most definitely. The way in which the father commits
himself to looking after the boy and ensuring his safety and survival speaks of a great
and deep love. The way in which the boy looks up to his father and shows his respect and
admiration for him likewise indicates that this is a two way relationship that is
tremendously important to them both. Consider, for example, some of the final words that
the father says to his son at the end of the story:

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You have my whole heart. You always did. You're
the best guy. You always were. If I'm not here you can still talk to me. You can talk to
me and I'll talk to you. You'll
see.

Note too the way in
which the boy responds to his father when he sees how exhausted and near death he is
when they reach the place where the father will die:

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Herre they camped and when he lay down he knew
that he could go no further and that this was the place where he would die. The boy sat
watching him, his eyes welling. Oh Papa, he
said.

Thus we can see from
these two quotes that the relationship between these two central characters in this
incredible novel is very strong indeed. It is one that endures a hideous setting and one
that is able to triumph over the many problems that beset them.