For the record though, I'll take the girl I originally asked . . honor you know . . . and would never have been pathetic enough to have to ask for some way to break my word . . .

Because that is the way I would want to be treated . . . and because she is MY guest . . . I would make sure we both had a blast, and then meet my new crush later . . . maybe they would both want to hang out together?

Word to the mutha ship!

Who says a gentleman shouldn't ever change his mind? He's probably doing himself and his ex a huge favor by bailing out of this potential social disaster he's created.

I do think he should do it in reasonable time, however, and not wait until the last minute.

That's too rude.

OK, I've thought about this quite a lot and this is how it SEEMS to stack up.

The girl may want out OR she may be hurt knowing his interests are elsewhere.

I gotta give the last word to James et al- I forgot what my grandpappy taught me..."A man is only as good as his word."

It may be unpleasant to take her or, if he can swing it, they could end up having a great time AS FRIENDS.

It all boils down to ONE DAY out of a lifetime and it really does come down to honoring a promise. This is the kind of situation that builds character and maturity. Let it be her choice to attend or not. The new girl may be unhappy, but in the end, don't you think she would prefer to be with a young man who she knows is true to his word?

I love the occasional reaffirmation that procrastination is sometime okay.