The Bulging Right Pocket

It was one of the worst periods of time in my life.

Recently separated, I had just lost custody of my 2 daughters andwas forced to vacate my newly-renovated Home (with 3 days notice)that contained the well-equipped recording studio I had spent 2years building prior to selling my drycleaning Business (in order tobuild a long-desired music production company).

divorce - Canadian style!

Two years before, I discovered that a *friend*, a music contact I hadworked with and even spent time with in Hollywood a decade prior,had stolen a song that I and my music partner had written andpresented to this budding writer/producer at that time. He had sincebecome a major player in the music Business and had lifted *somuch* our song, placing it on the album of a multi-million sellingfemale artist.

After much consideration and consultation with a prominent Detroitattorney, we decided to proceed with a lawsuit against this recordproducer. And, as these matters usually go, we had to retain highprofile legal representation in California and also sue the 'innocents',in this case the recording artist, record company and publishingcompany, with the hope (at least mine) that they would bringpressure upon the sole guilty party to get a just settlement.

And of course, I was counter sued for over a million dollars and hadto begin dealing with that ugly Business.

Now, living with friends during this confusing, dark period of time, acall came from my California attorney. I was forced to confront theinevitable - a trip to Los Angeles for a legal hearing.

I had neither the heart nor the will to follow through with this.Neither did I have the money for the flight and hotel as all myassets had been frozen by the divorce court at the time.

I recall, as if it were yesterday, how Doug somehow sensed myemotional turmoil and just matter-of-factly told me to pick up theairline ticket at the terminal and then invited me to stay with hisfamily. This is where the real story begins.

Immediately after meeting Doug in person for the first time at theairport on a Friday afternoon, I felt so unusually comfortable. Thehearing was on Monday but he had no intention of discussing thecase at all on the drive to his Home. Instead we talked about ourfamilies, friends, careers and hobbies. His was mountain climbingand he has since scaled the tallest peaks on the continent!

He told me about how much his wife and daughter were lookingforward to having me stay with them. And, that he had planned get-togethers with some of his rather famous friends. See, we had builta rather unique friendship over the phone during the time building upto this hearing, but I had no idea Doug would be going all out duringour short visit.

I arrived at his beautiful home in the Hollywood Hills to the warmhugs of Doug's wonderful wife and cuter-than-cute little daughter. Ifyou've ever visited someone's home for the very first time andimmediately, and truly felt right at Home, well, this was one of thoserare instances. Mi casa es su casa.

All of us had a great amount of fun getting to know one anotherand, as promised, we had most enjoyable Friday and Saturdayevenings with Doug's crazy but wonderful friends in theentertainment world. After all, I was in my element

Sunday night was sleepless however. Although I was very confidentin Doug and his abilities (I'd love to be able to tell you who he hasrepresented in the past but the terms of the ultimate settlement inthis action prohibit me from sharing any details that would identifyany of the parties involved), I was still very concerned about being incour