The Description of Cynthia
During the party with the couple next door, Cynthia begins flirting publicly with Marco, Anne's husband. When Anne becomes aware of the fact that she is a no match for Cynthia, she provides a vivid description of her, a description that paints an image of Cynthia in the reader's subconscious:
"But even at her best, Anne could never compete with the likes of Cynthia, her taller, shapelier neighbor--with her long legs nipped-in waist, and big breasts, her porcelain skin and tumbling jet-black hair. And Cynthia always dressed to kill, in high heels and sexy clothes--even for a dinner party at home with one other couple" (The Couple Next Door, 8).
The Description of Anne's actions before leaving Cynthia's house
Annie's actions before leaving the party at Cynthia and Graham's place are described vividly, a situation that paints the images of the events as they unfold in the story. The description plays a central role in enhancing the mood of the story as well as advancing the setting of the scene. Anne's hurry to leave and check on her baby is implicit:
"Anne begins to glance around for her purse, gathers up the baby monitor and realizes then that it's plugged into the wall, and bends over to unplug it, aware of everyone at the table staring at her fat ass. Well, let them. She feels like they're ganging up on her, seeing her as a spoilsport. Tears start to burn, and she fights them back. She does not want to burst into tears in front of everyone..." (The Couple Next Door, 12).
Annie and Marco's reaction to the empty crib
In Chapter 2 of The Couple Next Door, Annie, and Marco arrive in their house to find their baby missing and an empty crib. The event is described in a way that brings out the picture of the unfolding events, the shock that follows is also implicit:
"Anne feels her scream inside her own head and reverberating off the walls-- her scream is everywhere. Then she falls silent and stands in front of the empty crib, rigid, her hand to her mouth. Marco fumbles with the light switch. They both stare at the empty crib where their baby should be..." (The Couple Next Door, 14).
Anne's vomit, the baby's room and Marco's inaction
"...then she throws up, the vomit cascading over her fingers and onto the hardwood floor as she bends over. The baby's room, painted a soft butter yellow with stencils of baby lambs frolicking on the walls, immediately fills with the smell of bile and panic" (The Couple Next Door, 14).
This description paints the image of the cascading vomit in the reader's subconscious. Additionally, the serene nature of the baby's room as well as the smell of bile and panic that feels it can be perceived through the description. Additionally, the narrator describes Marco's dumbfoundedness in a largely graphic way:
"Marco doesn't move. Anne looks up at him. He is paralyzed, in shock, staring at the empty crib, as if he can't believe it. Anne sees the fear and guilt in his eyes and starts to wail--a horrible, keening sound, like an animal in pain" (The Couple Next Door, 14).
