Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.

GENTLE READER: Had your brother-in-law given you a reasonable excuse -- perhaps back pain or another physical issue -- or even made one up, Miss Manners might have been inclined to let him take the ...

I personally believe this was the plan by her and her mother all along, once they found out her parents were not invited.