Madness on a mountain: for 15 years, my mom was trapped in a mutual psychosis

She fell mysteriously ill while living in a remote cabin with my stepdad, and I suspected it was a cry for help. Then came the unexpected diagnosis: folie à deux

For days before her last hospital visit, Mom’s texts worried me.

She sent them from the one-room mountain cabin she shared with my stepfather, Mark. They pinged each day on my phone like tiny arrows: two dozen or more, with random all-caps.

Mom: Making mark red velvet CAKE. we have the gang of coyotes eating and harassing down below on the flats. Going to rest and take it easy and go TOMORROW FOR FOOD and water AGAIN.

Me: Make sure you’re hydrated!

Mom: I will sweet ANGEL