The Negotiation

One of Ken's most admirable qualities is his ability to say "no"  without using that word.  It took me years to catch on.  He just never said "no" to anything.  I thought I was married to the "yes" man.  Whatever I wanted all I had to do was ask.  Ken would never say no.  The rabbit in his hat is Ken would give the answer "no" in ways where it sounded like a "yes."  Example:  Patty says, "Can we go to The Outback for dinner tonight?"  Ken says, "Hey!  Why don't we pick up a Redbox on the way home and I'll make taco salad."  You see?  He never said no.  He presents a fun alternative and never mentions what you ask for. Part of/most of his game is distraction.  But it always made me feel like a "yes."  Did we go to Outback?  No.  Or... "Ken, I think we should get a new computer."  Ken would reply with something along the lines of, "I think so too."  But doesn't offer to go look at one or but it.  I am left feeling perfectly satisfied that he agrees with me.  Ken and I have been married for a little over 5 years and I have him on my radar.  Now, I can see CLEARLY when he is saying "no."  And I call him on it.  And sometimes I even make him say it--- "So... you mean no?"  And Ken will try to make it sound like he didn't say no.  But he did.  I'm onto him.  I had him so figured out.
Until he pulled a new trick on me.
A couple Saturdays ago we were getting ready for bed.  With early church, I asked, "What time should we wake up to get ready?"  I was explaining how long it took me to get ready, how long it took to feed Kole and get him ready, how much time Ken would need to get ready... Church is at 9:30.  I admit I was fretting a little.  I get worked up over... little things.  So!  Mastermind Ken said, "Why don't you set the clock for 8?  You can get up and take a nice long shower, then do your hair.  You can wake Kole up and feed him.  The house will be all quiet and calm, and then I'll be up at like 9."  Problem solved!  I married the most understanding man.  Helping me find solutions to my problems in my hours of need.
Sunday morning the clock rang at 8.  I got up.  Ken stayed in bed. I showered.  Ken stayed in bed.  I was drying my hair and looked at the clock 8:35.... I should get Kole up soon.  Ken is still in bed.  That's when it dawned on me.  Ken was still IN BED!  I had gotten up early to get myself ready AND Kole ready all before Ken got up.  I could have slept at least 45 more minutes!  Why did I want to do this?  What a dumb idea!  Wait!  It wasn't my idea- it was KEN'S idea!  I put the blow dryer down and stomped over to the bedroom.  I swung open the door, "You tricked me!  You made me get up and get everything done while you slept in bed."  Ken just laughed all sleepily.  "It took you long enough to figure out."

The longer we are married the more I am catching on.  Ken's powers become harder for him to use for evil.  And I love him more now than I did when we were first married.  Even though I know that he's a tricky badger.  It's a cycle.  I catch on and love Ken more and more.  Ken realizes I am on to him and tries harder to elude me.  Love makes the world go round.