Download or read book The Strength to Laugh written by Tracy Caminiti and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2012-07-03 with total page 143 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There's more to gentle Zak Baker than is on the surface. The 6'4", burly 16-year-old attends high school with his best friend, Toby, where they are pretty much ignored as misfi ts. After school and on weekends Zak expresses his natural ability with dogs while working at a kennel. Zak is embarrassed but pleased when the kennel's owner, Pam, claims that he can "speak dog" because he is so good with them. Then Zak goes home. He lives alone with his mother in a rundown apartment above a pub/ restaurant. His mother, Adel, works at a grocery store, and when she comes home, she retreats to her recliner with the TV blaring and a drink in her hand. Years ago she had been a rich lawyer's wife with a gorgeous home, stunning wardrobe and a maid. She blames Zak and especially Zak's big sister, Tara, for the condition her life is in now. Because Adel randomly expresses anger toward him, Zak rarely speaks and retreats to his room as often as he can. There are terrible secrets in Zak's life. But events are beginning to snowball toward inevitable change. Everyone in Zak's life will be affected. Because Zak has been raised to expect so little from anyone, he is overwhelmed by the love and support he receives from Tara and his friends. But in order to begin the healing process, Zak must ultimately find the strength to stand alone and say, "No more!"