Someone pull this thorn out of my paw

Yesterday Buster was at M's school to wait for the final bell.  As I approached the pickup area, I observed him standing apart from the parents I had introduced him to, silent and by himself.  They are a great group of parents, and so after I made eye contact, I passed him by and went over to talk to them.  They asked me about my interview and we chatted about the current job market.  When M came out of her classroom, she was excited and happy, and it was a minute or so before she saw her dad.  He followed us back to my car, and she asked me again why he wasn't getting in with us.  "He's got his own car, honey.  He'll meet us at the house."
When we got back to the house, I had really had enough of him, so I encouraged her to take him up to her room and do the art project she'd planned for them.  I poured myself a scotch and sat down to watch a very good movie.  A half hour before it was over, they came trooping downstairs to demand we go to dinner.  *sigh*
She insisted on Red Lobster, and I couldn't see any reason finally not to give in.  She hadn't been there since we moved, and she knows this is a "special occasion" place.  What's more of a special occasion than daddy's last night in town?  Of course, he was not enthusiastic.
As soon as we sat down, I could tell we were in for a rough night.  He asked me if I was an alcoholic, he thinks that because M's jacket has stains on it that I am a bad mother, and he said that he thinks that her problems at school are because of me.
Nothing I say to him makes any difference.  He is stubborn, angry, defensive, and adamant, along with being completely clueless about children and child care, what is normal and what is not, and what it takes to be a parent.
I asked him why he is making trouble for me, as I have never kept M away from him or blocked his access to her at all, in fact have facilitated their relationship (such as it is) in every way I can.  He maintained that it is "his right" to do whatever he wants.  He didn't care that it doesn't make sense.  I asked him what he hopes to gain - and he didn't have an answer.
Throughout this conversation, M sat beside me looking visibly troubled.  At times she held up the menu to block him from my view.  She said that if I couldn't see him that I wouldn't be so upset.  Smart kid.
I never wanted to argue in front of her, but he made sure it happened.  I was crying before it was over, and my sweet, sensitive daughter put her hand on my back, gave him her best stern look, and said "She's right, you know!"
At some point, I simply abandoned trying to reason with him and concentrated on helping M with her crab legs.  He would only eat a tiny bowl of chowder and sit there glaring at me.  We ate our seafood dinner, I let her go ahead and order the chocolate cake, and I picked up the tab. (The only one that I did, by the way.)
We drove back to our townhouse, we got out and M said goodbye to her dad, and he drove away.  His flight out was this morning.
As we got ready for bed, I was exhausted and so was she.  She was pretty clear that he makes me unhappy.  She advised me "you should marry someone else!" And she recommended our dear friend S.  Since he has always been loving and kind to her, I applaud her taste and discernment.
She slept in my bed last night, and clung to me in her sleep.  This morning, she would only say that she was sad that Buster had left, and she feels like he left because he doesn't like her.  My poor sweet baby.   Reminding her that he was going to leave no matter what didn't help. 

I hope this doesn't stay with her too long.

I have a second interview for a job downtown this afternoon, so I need to shake it off, as well.  Sure could have used some sleep.