Random Fuzzy

The Week or so In Review...

This may not have been their biggest blow up but it was unquestionably their most public, nothing else comes close. They’ve been living under very difficult conditions these past 2 years with much of their family life having to be held in the shadows. It’s been particularly difficult for Brad. He has been extremely anxious to achieve full reinstatement with the children so they can resume their normal family life.  It is not surprising that they cracked under pressure living under so much unusual stress.  It was likely something small and trivial that got blown out of proportion.  Perhaps they argued about his eagerness to wear his wedding ring during or right after the July 21 to 29 visit by the kids  -- in much the same way he started to wear his necklace while they were still in the first phase of the visits in the U.K.  She didn't approve and he was hurt, feeling rejected and in an angry fit, told Spiegel to talk to Wasser.  Under these circumstances making up will be equally swift and dramatic.  They both overreacted and did things they deeply regret. The fight started while they were in different continents but the apologies, most profusely from Brad, were delivered in person.

In his response to Bley DeJean's Request for Case Management, Spiegel sought to avoid court involvement even on the request for bifurcation, which was very telling.  He stated at the outset that the whole Request for Case Management was not necessary.  He avoided any reference to Angelina's motives, which were an easy and obvious target, or any personal criticism, and only said enough to set the record straight without critical comment.  It was, under the circumstances, a very calm, restrained response from Spiegel who in the past had been much more combative.  Brad's hand was visible behind it.  He knew he caused this, he was to blame and he was trying to soothe and calm Angelina.

On the matter of bifurcation, Spiegel's response concentrated almost entirely on narrating how it was actually Brad who had first broached it.  He ignored the entire section Bley wrote.  He concluded with a simple statement of facts -- that the Request shows Angelina "does not object" to Brad's request to bifurcate and that "the issue can now be resolved by stipulation"  -- but as a response, it was redundant and served no purpose since both points were covered in more detail in Bley's Request.  What is notable is how the careful wording avoids the suggestion of forward action. No "Counsel can now work together to advance the request."

Spiegel was totally oblivious to everything Bley wrote on working to move the bifurcation forward and quickly obtain Judgement.  If Brad really wanted to bifurcate, Spiegel would have eagerly seized any opportunity to advance it -- advancing is, after all, the whole purpose of bifurcation.  But he ignored it entirely.  Bley had suggested a Case Management Conference to address all issues so they can complete the prerequisites for bifurcation in a timely manner.  Spiegel replied the request was unnecessary.

Spiegel is impeding any effort to move bifurcation forward. His only interest was to set the record straight that Brad broached the request first, he started this mess, and Angelina was merely reacting to him.  Brad never wanted the case to be bifurcated and neither does Angelina.  His request was empty bluster made in anger and he was alarmed that Angelina called his bluff and was spoiling for a public fight.  He was completely taken aback by her reaction.  They had a stare down and Brad couldn't blink fast enough.  Brad started his earnest efforts to make amends and make up with Angelina with Spiegel's response. 

She let him off easy after the plane incident but this time she was furious with him.  He needed to give a very convincing explanation and the most abject apology he could muster to appease her.  And their quarrel melted away just as quickly as it flared up. There is no longer any trace of anger or emotional turmoil.  Angelina has been positively beaming since she returned to L.A.  Brad followed up by showering her with a lot of love.

Making up after a lovers' quarrel was good for them.  It also allowed them to vent and and relieve the stress.

They now await the court's action after it reviews the testimonies of the psychiatrist and the psychologist and Dr. Katz's custody evaluation report.

They are relaxed and confident.  Angelina has taken all six children out since they arrived.  She has been out with the kids every day while Brad has "custody" because they are living together.  Because the children are now happy to have him live with them in their home -- the DeMille.

Their family life has returned to normal privately.  They are looking forward to emerging publicly.  The problems are behind them.  They're ready and eager to face the world.


-- Fussy