All Too Late

Chapter 23 I Did Not Behave Again

Kathleen turned and looked at the guy walking toward her and asked, “You are Federick Evans?”

Federick smiled and said, “Yes, it’s me. It’s been a long time, Kathleen.”

Federick was Kathleen’s neighbor.

After her parents passed away and she moved into the Macari residence, she seldom met Federick.

Kathleen was surprised. “Federick, what are you doing here?”

Federick’s face looked sorrowful. He said, “My daughter is here.”

His daughter?

Kathleen was taken aback. “Federick, is your daughter…”

“Mid-level autism,” Federick said calmly, “I bring her here every week. What about you?”

Kathleen replied, “I’m here as a favor for Gemma, to do charity work.”

Federick got it and said, “Oh, so you are a friend of Gem.”

Kathleen reminded him that they should get going as she said, “Let’s go in.”

Federick made a sound of approval and nodded.

They went into the classroom which had a few autistic children in it.

They were all brought there by either their father or mother.

Kathleen learned that the biggest concern for most families with autistic children was that one of the parents could not stand the stress and chose to divorce or leave the family behind.

For instance, Federick’s wife was one of them.

When Madeline Evans was diagnosed with autism, her mother chose to divorce after she persisted for six months.

Madeline was five years old, and she was a cute little girl.

Nonetheless, because of autism, she did not react to the world around her and did not interact with people.

She sat in a corner quietly, holding a barbie doll in her hands.

Actually, most autistic children were quiet, as long as they were not provoked.

As they were quiet, they did not take the initiative to tell others what they wanted or when they were not feeling comfortable.

The parents brought their children there because the doctors were professional and would be able to help them.

“Madeline, do you want some water?” Federick got down next to Madeline and asked.

give any reaction to her

going to come and examine you later. Let’s not yell at the

did not show any

let out a

walked over and got down next to Madeline, she

said, “It’s no use, she does not even react much

raised her

Federick was amazed.

will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty little dress

lowered

first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state

how

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed. “Pinky

her pinky finger

also held

promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your barbie doll a

nodded with

eyes were filled with

in a quavering voice, “Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded to someone

That’s wonderful.

the treatment

did not think that she was the special

I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she

a tissue to

tears. “I’m sorry to show you this side of me.

this is what it’s like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays safe and healthy,

to have her own baby, that moment gave her a

my Madeline to

came in

one, the

turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still

She remained silent.

to examine you,” the doctor

see that the doctor

caused a scene last time during the examination which left an

knew it was normal for autistic patients, he was

this time that even the doctor

you are

a

“Yes, she even responded to Kathleen when she spoke to her just

glanced at Kathleen and said,

on

a friendly smile. “We need someone like you here,

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,”