The residents of the town experience a pervasive sense of emptiness that seems to manifest physically, particularly around the throat. This feeling arises from an undefined longing, a deep-seated yearning for something they can't quite articulate. Their shared experience reflects a collective disquiet, as if they are all searching for a missing part of themselves or their lives.

This mysterious absence suggests that the town's inhabitants are grappling with unresolved emotions or lost connections. The inability to name what they are missing leaves them in a state of confusion and introspection, leading to a broader exploration of identity and fulfillment in their daily lives. Through this theme, Jodi Picoult invites readers to consider the deeper aspects of human experience and the unnameable gaps that can exist within us.