"Guys, you know I told you, I had like this huge blow-up with my dad last week?" Janet told her friends.

The small group of girls nodded and murmured their acknowledgment.

"I told him I'm eighteen now and I can do whatever I want. I'm not a little girl, I'm a woman. But he told me that as long as he was paying for things that I was subject to his rules. It's so unfair. He knows I'm not ready to move out. I have plans, I want to go to college and do a bunch of other things."

"So you're going to listen to him?"

"Not exactly. Dad suggested we see a family therapist to work things out."

"Did you go?"

"Yeah, we saw that Dr. Zaaijer guy. You've heard of him."

The group had heard of him through the multitude of Infomercials that the doctor put out. Most of the infomercials were testimonials from former patients. People from all ages, genders, and walks of life tell their stories about how Dr. Zaaijer helped them.

"Did the doctor solve your problem?"

"What Doctor Zaaijer said was that we should try something called role reversal."

"How did that go?"

"We haven't started it yet. He wants us to do it for real."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that starting tomorrow, my dad is going to be me."

"What?"

"You heard me. He's going to do everything that I would do'"

"That's crazy!"

"We are going to swap lives. He'll look just like me."

"How is that possible."

Dr. Zaaijer has a way. He's going to go to school like me. He'll answer to my name, he'll be part of the flag squad. If I didn't tell you, you wouldn't know. I'm telling you that starting tomorrow, the girl you see in class won't be me. It'll be my dad. But, you guys have to treat him like you would treat me. The concert on Friday, he'll be going with you not me. He'll be dressing in my clothes. He'll have my phone. He'll be doing all the things that I would do."

"Does he know that we know?"

"No."

"You can't be serious."

"I am. He needs to see exactly how it is to be me. You have to help him understand. Include him on everything. Don't keep any secrets."

"What about Byron?"

"He'll be me, so he'll be dating him."

"I don't know what to say. Your dad will be dating your boyfriend?"

"I want him to see the real Byron. When he knows him, he'll like him. I want him to see what he's really like."

Another girl repeated what was just said, "Your dad will be dating your boyfriend?"

"I know this will be strange for all of you. But I wanted to tell you. I love all you guys."

The girls shook their heads.

"Since this is our last night together. Let's just enjoy ourselves."

They chose the local diner, a cozy spot that had been their go-to place throughout high school. The neon sign flickered as they walked in, the familiar scent of burgers and fries welcoming them like an old friend.

The group slid into their usual booth, laughter bubbling up as they reminisced about their favorite memories. Janet, who was usually the life of the group, seemed quieter tonight, soaking in every moment.

As the night went on, they ordered milkshakes and fries, sharing stories and inside jokes. At one point, the conversation lulled, and her best friend, Emma, reached over and gave Janet a tight hug. One by one, the others joined in, creating a group hug that felt like it could last forever. They spent the rest of the night huddled together, not needing words to express what they felt.

When the time came to leave, they walked out into the cool night air, arms around each other, reluctant to say goodbye.

Janet returned home before her 11:00 curfew.

"How did it go?"

"No one suspected a thing. They all thought I was you. As long as I wear this charm, everyone will see me as Janet Ann Wood, an eighteen-year-old girl."

"Woman."

"Yeah, DAD, woman."

Dad remembered the afternoon that he sat down with Janet and she taught him everything that he would need to know. They sat together in the living room, and Janet guided Dad on how to sit properly. "Keep your knees together and your back straight," Janet instructed, demonstrating with a soft smile. "It shows that you're in control and aware of your surroundings."

When they walked down the street, Janet would gently correct his posture. "Chin up, shoulders back, boobs out, bend your arms at the elbow, let your hands hang loosely. And Dad please take smaller steps---it makes you look more elegant. Your hips are supposed to wiggle, but don't overdo it."

Laughter was another lesson, something Janet considered a subtle art. "You don't have to laugh loudly to show you're having fun," Janet told Dad with a wink. "A soft, genuine laugh is often more charming. It's all about the right balance. Also, please smile instead of grinning. There isn't anything wrong with showing your teeth "

In front of the mirror, Janet patiently showed Dad how to apply makeup. "Start with a clean face," she'd say, guiding him through the steps. "Less is more. A little foundation to even out your skin tone, some blush for a healthy glow, and mascara to bring out your eyes. And remember, lip gloss is great for a fresh, youthful look."

These lessons weren't just about being feminine; they were about making sure that Dad could impersonate her. She wanted Dad to feel confident, to understand the subtle cues that could make a big difference in how he presented himself to the world.

Janet videotaped her dad. The pair watched and compared his movements to clips of Janet from before the swap.

Janet also showed Dad all her text messages that had sent and received for several months. She wanted him to know everything that was going on in her life and how to talk like a teenage girl. Janet had let her dad into her life and shown him more about it than any other dad would know about their 18-year-old daughter. Something that would have horrified her before encountering Dr. Zaaijer.