Phil Cartwright is outside your house screaming your daughter's name.
"You're 18 now," tell her. "You can do what you want with whomever you want, regardless of how long they've been in my employ as a Vice President of Northeastern Regional Promotion."
Your daughter will thank you for respecting her autonomy.
"But you're still my dad," she'll say. "And I'd like your advice."
Tell her what the former Mrs. Cartwright told you about Phil back when you and she were having an affair, that Phil only wants a woman to stand witness to his failure as a man.
"He only seduces women so they'll one day leave him," tell your daughter. "The way Phil's mother left Phil and his Dad when Phil was seven."
Your daughter will listen to Phil shout her name again. You'll see her flinch, like she wants to run to the window but she's afraid to in front of you.
"But women are drawn to him," tell her. "Because they all wanna be the one to prove mama wrong."
Your daughter will look at you, and she'll see the blessing in your smile.
"What about college?" she'll ask.
Tell her college can wait. Love's a little more impatient.
"I'm sure I can get a refund on your first semester's tuition," tell her. "Go."
Your daughter will kiss your cheek, say thanks daddy, then run out the door and into Phil Cartwright's big puffy arms. When they're done kissing, Phil will see you watching from the window, and he'll wave up at you.
"I'm almost done with the Hobart & Heinz presentation," Phil will say. "It's really gonna knock their socks off Monday morning."
"Now one thing I won't abide is you wasting my daughter's time talking shop," say to Phil. "You two go home and be with each other. And I mean completely!"
Phil will make a pistol with his hands and shoot you a "no sweat." He'll pick up your daughter the way you used to when she was just a little girl, he'll put her in his Camry, and you'll watch their taillights disappear.
Happy Phil Cartwright Day!
