Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family

Lindsay

In the aftermath of Mimi’s death, Lindsay took charge of selling the house. While in the area one day, she decided to stop by Pueblo to look at her brothers’ medical records. It was only then that she learned about Donald’s attempted murder-suicide. Unexpectedly, she also found a file on her father and learned that he was receiving ECT for depression in the years leading up to his death. She wondered whether his need for the treatments had more to do with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia or depression from how his general life circumstances.

These further proofs of Mimi’s secrecy frustrated Margaret deeply. Lindsay, however, simply recommitted to living her own life openly, hoping that doing so would enable some good to come of her family’s suffering and “might make life better for others” (314)

Margaret

Even after marrying and beginning a family, Margaret continued to struggle with resentment towards Mimi, who she felt had neglected her as a child. As a result, she was frustrated when Lindsay began to spend more time with their mother in the years leading up to the Mimi’s death, caring for her in her fragile state and getting Mimi’s attention and some belongings in return.