In a draft letter for Dear Debbie, a parent writing as “Hates the Boyfriend” complains that her daughter is infatuated with an unsuitable boy. The parent describes the boyfriend as reckless, academically weak, lazy, and disrespectful, and feels powerless because the daughter resists every attempt to intervene.

Debbie’s response begins with seemingly conventional advice. She says that teenagers often cling harder to a relationship when parents attack it, so the parent should try the opposite approach by getting to know the boyfriend better.

Debbie suggests inviting the boyfriend to a home-cooked dinner as a way to bond and possibly discover redeeming qualities. Then the answer turns dark: if the parent still dislikes him afterward, Debbie recommends sneaking out and cutting the boyfriend’s brake line, exploiting his fast driving to cause danger or death.