Glass Houses

By Lisa Volz

Two women, separated by status, brought together by friendship and the fight to save their families.
Diamond Heights is filled with women dripping with success, but Sloane Davies isn’t one of them anymore. A failed marriage and a troubled teen daughter have broken her spirit, until she meets Hope Reese, a cashier at her local market.
Hope is from the wrong side of the tracks and the furthest thing from a Diamond Heights woman. Hope also has a troubled teen daughter and is struggling to get her back on the straight and narrow.
After a chance meeting, Sloane and Hope strike up an unlikely friendship that goes beyond their social status. But their daughters’ bad decisions seem to only get worse, making Hope and Sloane allies in the fight to save their families despite the odds set against them.
Real friendship is not just about tea parties and celebrations. Real friendship is about getting messy. Sloane and Hope are about to find out what real friendship is all about.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Volz
• Release date: Sep 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215219232

Lisa Volz

Lisa Volz is a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She has two children and is continuously learning from them. She likes coffee and chocolate, especially cookies, and considers them a food group. She is a former graphic designer by trade, but a writer at heart. She writes about characters that are lovable but deeply flawed. She draws on her faith when finding the good in people, both fictional and actual. Her novels are uplifting and will have you rooting for the underdog.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Book Club Questions

About the Author

Novels by Lisa Volz

Chapter 1

Hope Reese hated working the afternoon shift at the Ace Market on Tuesdays. Sure, she had extra time in the morning but not quite enough time to get anything done. But, just this once, it had worked out. After waiting up until almost 4:00am for her sixteen-year-old daughter, Evie, to get home, she needed the extra sleep.

She made a pot of coffee to try to wake up. Evie was still in her bedroom sound asleep. It was yet another day that Hope called the school and told them that Evie was sick and wouldn’t be in. Not only did she hate covering for Evie and lying to the school, but she was sure that the school knew she was lying. She knew that it would catch up with her one day.

She poured her coffee in a to-go mug and headed for the park on the border of the wealthy neighborhood of Diamond Heights and her working-class town of Finley Park. She didn’t want to be home when Evie got up.

The park was small with a walking trail that encompassed the park. Hope had no intention of walking. She would need to conserve her energy for work. Instead, she walked to the benches at the far end and sat down. She watched the Diamond Heights divas, as she called them, gathered in their small walking packs. They all looked alike: most of them blonde-haired, blue-eyed, well-groomed, and dressed in designer stretch athletic pants in bright, vibrant colors. As if they needed to draw anymore attention to themselves.

When Hope first started working at the market in Diamond Heights, she tried to like the women. She tried not to judge them. But time and time again, the women had judged her just as harshly, and treated her so poorly at the Ace Market, that she had a hard time seeing them any other way than snobby.

Hope scanned the park and looked at the children playing in the playground. Most of them were monitored by nannies. She didn’t notice the woman walk up to her.

Hope? Is that you? the woman asked.

Hope looked up and saw one of her regular customers from the Ace Market. She recognized the woman right away as the woman who always bought tons of yogurt, the same brand, the same flavors. She was hard to forget. Just what Hope needed, to be reminded of work.

Oh, hi," Hope said.

The woman was all alone. It’s funny seeing you out of the market, she said and smiled. The woman was tall, stately, and her large diamond earrings glittered in the sunshine. She was obviously one of the Diamond Heights divas.

Yeah, funny. I’m surprised you recognized me without my nametag, Hope said dryly. She didn’t like to mix work with her social life. It felt uncomfortable.

Oh, please. You’re one of the only good parts about that market. It certainly isn’t the prices, she said and smiled. You know, I don’t think I’ve ever introduced myself. She extended her hand. I’m Sloane Davies.

Hope shook her hand and made her best effort to smile. Hope’s phone rang.

Do you need to answer that? I don’t mind if you do, Sloane said. It could be important.

Oh, no, it’s fine. Thank you though. I’ll let it go to voicemail, Hope said. She knew it was probably Evie calling. She really didn’t want to hear what kind of trouble her sixteen-year-old daughter was in this time. She glanced up at Sloane, almost thinking she could read her thoughts.

Sloane smiled sympathetically. Are you sure…

No, I’m quite sure I don’t want to answer it, Hope snapped a little too quickly.

Oh, okay…It’s just that, well, I have kids and know what it’s like to get phone calls like that. There was a sad look in Sloane’s eyes. Do you have children? Sloane asked.

Hope nodded. The conversation was getting entirely uncomfortable, and Hope just wanted her to stop talking, and leave.

I should let you relax. That coffee smells good. You should enjoy it, Sloane said.

Sloane started to walk away.

Hope wondered why Sloane wasn’t with the other divas. After all, they travelled in packs. Hope looked across the park at the divas and noticed one of them pointing Sloane’s way, then the whole group of them laughed. She watched as Sloane walked a few feet from her.

Sloane’s phone rang and she put it to her ear. Hope watched as she argued with whoever was on the other end, her arms waving in the air. She’d never seen one of the divas behave like that. None of the others ever dropped their guard. Hope could tell that Sloane wasn’t there for the exercise, and she certainly wasn’t dressed for it. But it was her body language that Hope really noticed. She had that same lost meander that Hope had nearly perfected. Sloane dropped her phone back in her pocket and ran her hands through her hair. Hope had felt that same exasperation. Something compelled Hope to stand up and call out to her.

Sloane! she called. Did I get your name right? Hope asked as she caught up to her. Do you mind if I walk with you? Hope asked. I could use the company.

Sloane hesitated at first. She looked over at the other divas then back at Hope. Actually, that would be nice.

I mean, you don’t have to say yes… Hope backtracked as she realized that she was breaking her own rule and crossing that customer-employee boundary.

No, really. I don’t mind.

Hope took a drink of her coffee.

Sloane noticed Hope’s travel mug with the butterflies and some words on it. That’s a pretty mug. What does it say? she asked as she tried to make out the words through Hope’s hand.

Hope held it up so that she could see. Oh, it reads ‘just breathe.’ A gift from my husband. A bit of a joke. He says that to me a lot. Some days, more than others. She smiled.

Sloane smiled. Ahh, I see. I’ll have to ask him where I could get one for myself. That’s a good reminder. Do you hold your breath too?

Hope wasn’t sure how much she wanted to tell Sloane. But they were already past the first barrier. I think I’ve been holding my breath since my daughter learned to walk, Hope said and laughed.

Oh, is your daughter young? Sloane asked.

Oh, no…she’s sixteen…going on thirty. Or at least she thinks she is.

I see, Sloane said. I have one of those myself. Two actually. Well, a daughter and a son.

Oh, I doubt your daughter is as challenging as my Evie, Hope said.

Sloane grimaced. Try me.

Trust me. It would not be a contest.

Would it surprise you to know that I haven’t seen my daughter in days, and my youngest, my son, hardly talks to me and exists entirely on peach or strawberry yogurt? Sloane said.

Hope slowed her pace. Well, that explains the contents of your grocery cart, she said. But you’re right, I would not have guessed that about your daughter.

Sloane shrugged. She’s nineteen. She should be in college. She’s certainly smart enough. But she’s what they call a failure to launch young adult. She has no job, and yet, she always seems to have the means to disappear for days on end but can’t figure out how to use her cell phone to tell me she’s not dead in a ditch somewhere.

Hope listened as Sloane spoke. She rattled it off as if it was all just a matter of fact, just a part of life. She was quiet for a few minutes, not quite sure how to respond.

I’m sorry, Sloane said. I shouldn’t have put it all out there like that. It wasn’t a contest…

No…no…really. It’s okay. In a weird way, it’s kind of nice to know that my family isn’t the only one battling demons in this town, Hope said.

Oh, my dear. Don’t let the manicured nails and Gucci handbags fool you, she said and pointed to the group of Diamond Heights women. There are all kinds of skeletons in their closets. They just pretend they aren’t there.

Really? How do you know this?

For starters, I’m one of them. I’ve gone to their PTA meetings, their fundraisers, their charity balls. I’ve seen them at their best, and I’ve seen them crying in their Mercedes before going into the PTA meeting. And I used to be just like them…until… she paused. Until I didn’t measure up to the Diamond Heights standard anymore.

Because of your daughter? Hope asked.

Sloane shook her head. Because of my husband. Well, ex-husband. Sloane’s phone buzzed. Oh, dear. It looks like my time is up. Time to get back to the castle. It was nice talking to you. She started to walk away.

Sloane? Hope asked.

Sloane stopped and turned around. Yes?

Would you like to go for a cup of coffee or something sometime? I mean, if you aren’t too busy.

She smiled. I’d like that. I’ll catch up with you at the market. I really need to run.

She watched as Sloane got into her Audi. Then she looked over at the clutch of women walking. She saw more than one of them motion toward Sloane’s car and laugh as she drove away. Hope felt sorry for Sloane. For once, she was glad that she felt like she didn’t belong in this town.

She looked at the time on her phone. It was time for her to go home and get ready for work. If only she could get out of the house before Evie got out of bed.

As Hope drove through the upscale neighborhood of Diamond Heights on her way home, she admired the large two-story homes with their manicured lawns and expensive cars parked in the long, sloping driveways. The people in those homes probably had it so easy. They probably did everything right: went to college, got advanced degrees, earned six-figure incomes, had summer homes at the beach, took lavish vacations. They probably didn’t have a care in the world. She turned the corner on Peak Drive and the landscape changed almost immediately. She was in her neighborhood of Finley Park. The homes were at least forty years older, and about two-thousand square feet smaller. The lawns weren’t manicured, the cars in the driveways and parked along the curb were obviously well-used. Most of the neighborhood was working class, her included. Drugs and gangs had slowly been creeping closer to the neighborhood. So far, they had managed to keep the bad elements out, but they were always on the fringe, lurking, just waiting to get in.

She pulled into the driveway of her modest two-bedroom, 1100-square-foot home that she shared with her husband, David, and daughter, Evangeline or Evie as she preferred. David was a carpenter. He did repairs and remodels mostly for the Diamond Heights area. The Diamond Heights residents paid well, and David was one of the best around.

She turned off the car and took a deep beath before she went inside. But Evie was still asleep and would stay that way for the next few hours.

Right before Hope left for work, Evie wandered down the hall, her hair disheveled, wearing the same clothes from the night before, dark circles under her eyes.

Hope wanted to engage her, but knew it would blow up, and she didn’t have time to argue.

Where are you going? Evie whined.

To work. It’s nearly 3:00pm. I suggest you get on your computer and see what you missed in class today. I’m not covering for you again. Get it together, Hope said sternly.

Evie mumbled something that Hope didn’t quite hear.

What did you say? Hope asked.

Mr. Houston wants to meet with you. He said he’d send you an email, Evie said.

Mr. Houston? Why does the school resource officer want to talk to me? It wasn’t the first time that Hope had met Mr. Houston. They were practically on a first name basis.

Evie laughed it off. Who knows?

Evie! I don’t have time for this now. Hope grabbed her keys and headed for the door. The last year had been one dramatic moment after the next with Evie. Skipping school, lying, failing grades…Hope tried to compose herself so she could go into work. She paused at the front door.

I mean it, Evie. I work late tonight, but you’d better be here when Dad gets home. She grabbed her purse and reached for the door. At the very last minute, she called out, I love you! She was determined that no matter how much grief Evie gave them, she would know that her parents loved her.

Chapter 2

Sloane sat at the kitchen table and went through this month’s bills. She sighed as she opened the water bill. She knew it would be painful. Even though she got alimony and child support from her ex-husband, Reed, she would be cutting it close. She heard the front door open and knew it was her son, Scott, just getting home from school.

Hi, Scott! Welcome home! she called.

The front door closed, and Scott walked through the kitchen. He dropped his backpack on the floor with a thud and went straight to the refrigerator for something to drink.

It’s warm out today, huh. How was school? she asked.

No response as he guzzled down a sports drink.

Do you have homework? she asked.

Still nothing from Scott. Not even a grunt or a nod.

He went to his room, closed his door, and jumped on his computer. Immediately he began laughing and chatting loudly with his friends.

She knew it was all for her benefit, all to cause her pain.

A year and a half had passed, and Scott was still angry about his parents’ divorce. And the worse part was that he blamed Sloane when she did absolutely nothing to deserve his scorn.

Reed and Sloane’s divorce was relatively amicable. After 22 years together, it was just over. No affair, no infidelity, no abuse…just over. And somehow, Sloane was still paying the price for her son’s broken heart. She wondered if she’d ever be able to put the pieces back together for him.

Her phone buzzed and it was a text from Danielle: Hi Mom. Did my package arrive yet?

Sloane wondered what package she was talking about: Not that I know of. Where are you?

Silence from Danielle.

Sloane texted again: Danielle? Are you there?

Still nothing. At least she knew she was alive. And she was waiting for a package. Sloane had a bargaining chip, something that Danielle would come home for. Besides, she had to come home sooner or later for a change of clothes. She set down her phone and held back the tears. Why did this have to be so hard?

Hope’s husband, David, was waiting up for her when she got home from the Ace Market. Her feet ached, and she was hungry.

There are leftovers in the fridge, he said.

You cooked? she asked. She set her purse down and plopped down on the couch beside him. She leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. Thank you. You’re a saint.

Don’t get too excited. It’s only macaroni and cheese, he said.

It sounds wonderful. If only I could get up to reheat it.

He kissed her, then without a word, went to the kitchen to heat up a bowl for her.

He brought back the bowl of macaroni and cheese and a glass of wine.

Oh, my gosh! You are my favorite husband! she said and smiled through her exhaustion. Dare I ask…is Evie home?

He shook his head.

Was she here when you got home? I told her to be here, she said sternly.

Yeah, she was here. But Justin picked her up.

Justin?! Who’s Justin? she asked.

Oh… he said regretfully. She said you knew him.

Hope took a bite and rolled her eyes at him. And you believed her?

I wanted to, he said.

Did she say when she’d be back? she asked.

This time, he gave her the look.

I know, I know. Silly question. She took a drink of wine. What are we going to do with her?

I don’t know. But right now, you’re going to relax, and finish your dinner. You look like you had a hard day.

Just on my feet all day. Oh, but something weird happened today. I saw one of the market’s regular customers out in the wild, she said and laughed.

Really? How did that go? Was it one of the Diamond Heights divas?

Yes, and no. Her name is Sloane, and she lives in Diamond Heights, but she’s not one of the divas, she said.

Oh? How is that possible?

I know, right? We got to talking, and it turns out that the Diamond Heights women disowned her. Something about her ex-husband. We didn’t go into it. But I did find out that she has a daughter that’s a lot like Evie. Only her case is worse. She also has a son who won’t talk to her. And she’s dealing with it all alone. She doesn’t have anyone to make her macaroni and cheese when she’s had a hard day, she said and smiled.

Wow, that’s a lot for one person, he said and paused. Wait, how did you find out about her daughter? Did you tell her about Evie? He looked concerned.

Not in so many words. It just came up. I didn’t go into detail or anything.

Well, good. Maybe you shouldn’t tell her everything just yet. She’s still a Diamond Heights woman, he cautioned.

I’m telling you, she’s not like the rest of them. She saw that it really bothered him. But I won’t offer too much information if it makes you feel better.

Thank you. I just think it’s sort of odd. I mean, you hardly know her.

You’re right. I’ll be careful what I say, she said. She took the last bite of her dinner, and David took her bowl to the kitchen. Then she whispered to herself, I’ll wait until I get to know her.

David worked on Diamond Heights houses all the time. The money was good, but he’d grown to dislike the way many of the women treated him. He rarely dealt with the husbands, but he imagined that a lot of the women probably treated their husbands the same way they treated him.

He’d told Hope all kinds of stories about the amazing interiors of the Diamond Heights homes. The homes lived up to the name Diamond Heights. Nothing in their homes was builder’s grade. Everything was top-of-the-line, which is why he took the jobs. But he would much rather do a small bathroom remodel for a retired senior citizen. They appreciated everything much more. They couldn’t pay top dollar, but they always paid what they could, and sometimes he left with a loaf of fresh baked bread, or the husband would offer an old tool or collectible. David loved that aspect of the job. He never got those things from the Diamond Heights crowd. But the Diamond Heights crowd paid his bills, so he couldn’t complain too much.

Hope and David finally climbed into bed around 11:30pm. Hope finally heard a car door shut and loud voices around 1:47am. She listened as the front door opened and closed, and then she heard Evie’s bedroom door close. Hope breathed a sigh of relief that Evie was home, but she was irritated that Evie had caused her to miss several hours of sleep that she really needed. It would be hard to get up for work in the morning.

Chapter 3

Hope walked to the back of the Ace Market to clock in and start her shift. She waved to Tony as she passed the produce department. He was one of the few people at the market she considered a friend. There was also Jen, the delivery manager. She considered her a friend even though Jen was young enough to be her daughter. She was friendly with most of the other employees, but she kept them at an arm’s distance. And none of them knew about her home situation. The Ace Market was a hotbed of gossip, and she didn’t want to be the main dish on that menu.

She clocked in and dropped her purse in her locker. As she headed back to the cashier area, she spotted Sloane at the far end of the store. She paused when she saw Sloane talking to one of the Diamond Heights divas. What happened to Sloane’s story about those women not liking her? Was that all for sympathy? Hope instantly felt taken for a fool.

She walked up and opened her register but kept an eye out for Sloane. She hoped that Sloane wouldn’t see her.

Hope rang up several customers, all the while keeping an eye out for Sloane. She noticed that the woman that Sloane had been talking to was next in line. Hope smiled and went through the standard pleasantries. The woman handed Hope her shopping bags, so that Hope had to play cashier and bagger. Typical of the divas.

After that woman left, there was a slight break between customers. Hope heard another cashier, Jasper, get her attention.

Hey, Hope, he said quietly. Did you hear what happened last night? His smile dripped with tantalizing gossip.

No, what happened? she asked.

Just then, Brandon, the store manager, walked by and heard Jasper. Jasper, I suggest you get to work, he said as he continued on, his morning coffee in one hand.

Jasper rolled his eyes. Yes, sir, he said sarcastically. When Brandon was out of sight, he whispered to Hope, Ask Jen…it’s awesome! Then he turned to help the next customer in line.

Hope wondered what he was referring to, but Jasper was only eighteen years old, and she didn’t put much stock in his idea of awesome gossip.

As she turned around, she was standing face to face with Sloane. She startled, Oh, Sloane! Uh, I didn’t hear you walk up.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to