1950
Twins were born in an isolated country town. Let's call them John and Jane.
He died at 53. She may live past 83.
Their mother, a city-bred woman of 'nervous disposition', struggled with farm life and her driven, angry husband. After four children in six years, her usual robot-mask crumpled when told she was carrying twins.
1953
For six months they cried every night while their parents travelled Europe. All the children stayed with relatives who knew the alternative was a sanatorium.
1955
John required sedatives to sleep. Jane created fantasy worlds. They cried easily and wet their beds at night. Care-givers came and went. They treated them warily.
1957
He loved farm work, so struggled to gauge his father's moods, enduring beltings in silence — boys don't cry. Jane hid in books and her inner sagas.
1960
They were sent to segregated boarding schools, socially unskilled, unable to make friends.
1964
He attended an agricultural school, then studied for a farming diploma, bingeing every weekend. The father pitted the brothers against each other, all hungry for the land.
She won academic prizes but contemplated suicide.
1966
She asked to see a psychiatrist. She could explain little but the Valium helped. She fled to Western Australia.
1970
John returned to the farm, saying yes to everything. His older, strong-willed brothers had left.
Jane enrolled in nursing in the nearest city. Her classmates helped smooth her social awkwardness.
1973
John lived in the male world of farms and pubs, tongue-tied around the few single girls.
Upon marriage, Jane discovered her husband was an angry patriarch like her father. Unwittingly, she copied her mother with silence and sedatives.
1977
Jane had a son. She bought books about good parenting and vowed to stay alive. She told her brother about counsellors but 'I'm no psycho!' was his reply.
He mentioned a female friend. Jane hoped he'd found love but heard no more.
1979
Jane's second child slept poorly. After three exhausting years, she forgave her mother's inadequate care.
John poisoned himself with herbicides. His sister admonished him but masks and gloves were 'sissy stuff'.
1989
Their mother died. John drank more.
Jane was diagnosed with endogenous depression and anxiety disorder. After six weeks medication she decided upon divorce.
1993
John enjoyed two years on the farm while his father's ill-health kept him in the city.
Jane collapsed — work pressures, her ex-husband's abuse, the children's distress, her