Dory Maust - Glass Windows

Glass Windows

Jeff Bennington and Bianca Cordova are childhood sweethearts, torn apart by secrets and insecurities as they enter their vulnerable college years. Both
born to wealthy families, the lesson that money cannot control love or illness becomes increasingly difficult as they try to let go of their past together. The
dangerous journeys that their separation put into motion threaten more than just their lives. Jeff befriends the successful and quirky Rock N Roll band,
False Eyelashes, whose record label is in financial trouble. Bianca chooses the path of a fashion model to resurrect her esteem in the aftermath of
Jeff's rejection, but her choices prove contrary. As Jeff fights to build his own dynasty in the music industry as President of Benn Mac Records, he tries to
ignore Bianca's success in the world of high fashion. It proves vain as Bianca fights to maintain that fame by staying thin and coping with her pain
through Anorexia Nervosa.

As one twist and turn leads to another and they are reunited in a merciless twist of fate, their worlds collide with force. Naive hopes that they can erase
the scars of the past erupt in the hardest challenges either has ever had to face. Dark secrets from the past are unveiled and False Eyelashes teams
together with Jeff to save Bianca's life. She has to want their help and resists. The battles that ensue prove that wealth and fame have little to do with
healing wounds and building relationships, but that love, compassion and friendship can build a fortress.

Excerpt:

   “Jeff,” Kevin said firmly, “he told you this was going to be a long road. He told you and all of us not to expect that she’d hop on the
program and it would be smooth sailing till the end. This is a relapse and it’s frustrating I know. Don’t let this make you quit.”
He clenched his jaws with anger and shook his head. “Oh I’m not quitting. But I’m sick and tired of being a door mat. Things are
going to change and they will change today.”
   Lucy chewed her lips nervously. “Anger and ultimatums won’t work, Jeff,” she said cautiously.
   “No? Just watch them!”
   They all sat in silence for several minutes, not knowing what to say. Then Bianca appeared, opening the door but lingering in her
place.
   “I’m here but I’m headed straight to my office.”
   “The hell you are little girl!” Jeff raged, causing everyone to wince. “Get in here now!”
   Expecting his anger, she quietly obeyed and took a few steps into the room, closing the door behind her.
   “You lied to me,” he continued, nearing her. “You lied to your doctor and you lied to everyone in this room.”
   She had no reaction other than silence and he began to tremble. “What’s it going to take, Bianca? What’s it going to take for you to
kick this thing?”
   “I – I just had a setback and -”
   “Setback?! You’ve been puking for two weeks and you’ve lost eight pounds! You did that deliberately behind the backs of people
you promised to be honest with and ask for help! Do you know how much you weigh?”
   She didn’t meet his eyes and he walked closer to her.
   “Answer me!”
   “I’m not sure -”
   “You weigh one hundred and six pounds.”
   Suddenly she panicked wondering if the scale at home was wrong. “No I don’t! I’m not that -” She stopped, knowing by his
expression he’d tricked her.
   “You have a scale somewhere,” he continued. “Where?”
   “I’m not ready to give it all up!” she defended, suddenly crying. “Yell at me all you want to but I did try for almost two months, Jeff,
and that’s a big deal! If you hate it so much then leave!”
   He shook his head, growing angrier. “Don’t pull that victim bullshit with me. You weigh one hundred and two pounds. You’re
almost forty pounds underweight so here’s the deal because I’m feeling generous today. One hundred pounds, Bianca. If you go one
ounce under one hundred pounds you are going into the hospital. Keep whatever scale you have stashed away. I’m bringing a
hospital scale home which you are going to stand on every morning, back to the numbers just like at the doctor’s office.”
   “You can’t force me into the hospital.”
    He raised an eyebrow and squared his shoulders. “No? Don’t forget who you married. Now, having said all of that, we get back on
track as of right now, understand? We do whatever it takes to get you better because I didn’t spend fourteen years in pain without you
to have you come back into my life and die. Do we understand each other?”
   She wiped her tears but didn’t reply.

..

"Oh my gosh....I have turned the last page of Glass Windows
and I can't believe I will not have to race to get things done so that I
can pick the book up and lose myself in the pages of the most moving
book I have ever read. Anorexia has been both a friend and foe for the
past 16 years. You told a beautiful story in a beautiful way and you can
tell that it was written by someone with a true understanding of the
disease. I loved your style of writing and it was so easy to become
completely absorbed in it. I loved every one of the characters and just hope
and pray that my ordered copy of Blood Cells arrives soon so I can
see what happens next. Great!!!" - L.J., United Kingdom