I’m working the system. I know it. I’m getting by with doing as little as possible because it’s freaking hot outside and I don’t want to DO anything.

So I clean the kitchen every day. Yeah, that might sound great, but I know that the kitchen counter being clean and the dishes put away is my Dearest’s standard of satisfaction. In other words, doing that will keep me from getting grouched at. I don’t appreciate being grouched at, especially when it’s hot and I’m tired. But I can’t grouch back because he works outside most of the time. He never asks me what I did that day if the kitchen is clean.

I also try to have some delicious aromas coming from the same vicinity within an hour of his arrival. Then he thinks I’m being Polly Perfect, even if I’m not.

Is that manipulation?