What are the motifs in Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess?

Superstition is a recurring idea in the story. Mrs. Mues and Andy's belief in God is contrasted with Meredith's reliance upon superstition. For instance, Mrs. Mues and Andy believe that the smell of damask roses that is always prevalent in Andy's room is a gift from God, a sign of benevolent grace. Meredith, however, continues to seek the source of the fragrance, determined that she will be able to find an air freshener, or another source of the scent. Likewise, Mrs. Mues believes it was divine intervention that she was able to rent the condo in the same complex as Meredith and her family. Meredith, however, sees this was just coincidence, the result of a family who got evicted from their condo at just the right time.