DEAR ABBY: Three weeks ago, I invited a friend to attend a dinner party I am throwing. She promised to check her calendar and let me know if she was available. Twelve days went by and, because I had heard nothing, I assumed she wasn't available and filled the table with someone else.
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Now she's calling to say she is available, but I already have a full table. What do I do now? -- ONE TOO MANY IN NEW YORK
DEAR ONE TOO MANY: It shouldn't take 12 days to check one's calendar. Your friend was rude in not letting you know right away. Call your friend and explain that when you didn't hear from her, you assumed she couldn't make it, so you invited someone else. And don't apologize for it, because she owes you an apology.