Dear Abby: Host Shuts Down Adults Only Night Sky Party When BIL Adds 3 Teens To The Mix

DEAR ABBY! I have been an amateur astronomer for over 25 years. I always watch for meteors, as well as any celestial phenomenon.

This year I invited my brother-in-law and his wife to watch the meteor shower with me and my husband. Since we both have campsites, I reserved and paid a deposit for two campsites in a nice location close to the best night sky. The reservation was made more than a month ago.
My sister-in-law, who I love dearly and have been good friends with for over 20 years, called me yesterday to tell me that my BIL had invited their three teenage granddaughters. Abby, I thought they realized this would be an adult event since we would be sleeping past midnight and driving 30 minutes to get to the dark sky location. I do this every year.
I told my SIL that my BIL should have asked me first since I invited them and made all the arrangements for the event. We talked on the phone for 90 minutes before I told her that my BIL was wrong because I didn’t ask me if everything was ok.
A few minutes after we hung up she texted me and told me to cancel the reservation because they weren’t coming. We drive 90 miles to this campground. They live 30 minutes away from him. Was I wrong to tell her that I should have been asked first since I am a hostess for two days and nights? — STAREYE IN THE WEST

DEAR ZIRKOOKE! Your son-in-law should not have invited anyone without first checking with you. What they did may have been well-intentioned, but it was also rude. If any of these girls become interested in astronomy, you can invite them to such an event in the future. But their presence should not have taken you as it was.

Abby’s Road was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.