Local Woman Missing

Driving and car accidents feature prominently in several key scenes. Early on, Meredith is afraid as she leaves the hospital and stops at McDonald’s following a birth. Later, she and Kate are followed in their car as they make their way home from Dr. Feingold’s office, though the motive of their pursuer never becomes clear. We also learn that Josh and Meredith first met when he came to her aid following a car crash, leaving Meredith with the overwhelming sensation that she’s “the lucky one” in their relationship (261). Bea hits Shelby with a car, though in this case, no hero comes to the rescue: Instead, Bea disposes of Shelby as quickly as possible. Later, when Meredith threatens to call the police, Bea drives her in her own car to a hotel, framing her death as a suicide.

Taken together, these scenes illustrate related concepts of flight, pursuit, fear, control, chance, and disaster, showing just how dangerous and unpredictable the suburban landscape can be.

Though construction workers are never named or shown speaking to Kate directly, their presence in Kate’s home makes her uncomfortable. To her, they embody an invasive version of the male gaze. On one occasion, the workers “stop and stare” when she comes inside, making her feel like a stranger in her own home (132). On another, she takes issue with the men using her and Bea’s bathroom, where they “leave the toilet seat up, our own towels tilted and wet” (267).

Kate’s apprehension also has racist and xenophobic overtones, as she becomes uncomfortable when the men speak a language she can’t follow. When the power goes out and Kate suspects an intruder, she considers the construction workers as possible suspects. Kate’s fear of the construction workers comes to nothing, and contrasts with her ignorance of Bea’s violence. Here, Kubica shows how loved ones, rather than strangers, can be the bigger threat.