I also think they are baby steps. It is interesting that both you and bizarre have caught on to the fact that W always runs to me when something is wrong. It is also interesting to note that her contact w/ me increases dramatically when OM isn't physically around. I'm wondering if she is in fact wanting to punish me instead of actually divorce me. It does seem that way at times. That is why I'm wondering if we will be one of those couples that divorces then gets back together.
As for her "dramatics," she has done this in the past, but I never took much stock into it before all of this happened. However, since she's told me she's unhappy and served me w/ D papers, I've been able to examine her actions fairly thoroughly in my therapy sessions. I'm beginning to now see patterns of her behavior that have been consistent w/ her wanting to be in control and have things her way. She has a history of needing to be the center of attention, so her over-reacting isn't much of a surprise. However, I'm now better able to deal w/ her and am working on affirming and listening instead of reacting and trying to save her.
I also think she was hesitant to ask me about my father, but she definitely was thinking about me and is concerned w/ how I'm dealing w/ my father's need for surgeries. That is also positive. These are baby steps, I think. However, I'm pretty sure we won't be in Stage 2 until the custody issue is settled.
She sent me an e-mail last night talking about the schedule for D once we return from Tahoe. D will need to have the medicated shampoo reapplied and W is offering to do it on Tuesday after Memorial Day. W wants to join us at D's doctor appointment on Tuesday morning and then said she has an "appointment" at 1:30 on Tuesday and will pick up D afterward. Her "appointment" is w/ her L as we're deposing her on Wednesday.
I'm going to let her have D and do the 2nd treatment b/c that is what she wants to do. I will ask her for the schedule after our deposition, but if I let her have her on Tuesday night, she'll take her to the daycare near W's apartment, which is NOT the place where D picked up the head lice. I know that will make W feel much, much better, so there really isn't any reason to upset her on purpose.
It was interesting to see how she concluded the e-mail from last night:
Quote:
Did you set off bombs in the house? Did you get a kit and treat yourself? You need to do this. If I get her lice free and she gets reinfected at the house I might have to beat you to death. Just wanna be upfront on this one.
The playfulness and the smile was very clear, so I have to take this as another baby step as well, don't I?
I'll reply to her later today and let her know that I have done the steps to clean up the house and rid us of any possible eggs that may still be around (although I'm still planning on doing some stuff in the car). I'll also let her know I'm ok w/ her plan to take D on Tuesday after her "appointment" (and NO I'll never let her know I'm on to what her appointment is about on Tuesday). As usual, I'll let you know how things turn out.
