The Awakening of Dan Hanley: a Novel

To get his college degree as quickly as possible, twenty-one year old Dan needs to live with Margaret, an unknown distant relative. The elderly landlady claims she can communicate psychically with animals. Dan is dumbfounded. She doesn't seem the weirdo type. She has to be a shyster, evil, or just plain crazy. To protect himself from the possibility of Margaret's corrupting influence, he devises a plan. He will keep as much distance between them as their "work for room and board" arrangement will allow. A complicating factor is Laurie, the cute girl next door. Dan struggles to resist his attraction to her. He doesn't have the time or money for romantic entanglements. Besides, he is convinced she has been brainwashed by Margaret. Then there is Bill Saxon, neighborhood thug, thief, and animal tormentor, who takes an instant dislike to Dan. Seventy pounds lighter than Bill and inexperienced at fist fighting, Dan knows he is no match for Bill. Additional issues center around the animals: Sobra, the timid Labrador; her mother, Lady; Petey, the parakeet; and the cats, Taylor, Katy, Princess, and Cherish. Each playa significant part in a life lesson for Dan.