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

the doctor is going to come and examine you later. Let’s not yell at the doctor like last time, all

not show

out

walked over and got down next to Madeline, she waved her

use, she does not even react much to

Madeline raised her hand and

Federick was amazed.

gave a gentle, warm smile and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I

lowered her head

to her usual state and being shut off from the outside world,

how

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

held her pinky

held her

promise to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your barbie doll a little

with a light

eyes were filled with tears

people from the outside

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is working,”

that she was the special

her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can show a little bit of response

a

took it and wiped off his tears. “I’m sorry to show you this side of me. This is

then said in

have her own

want my Madeline to

in at that

one, the

it was Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline, do

She remained silent.

you,” the doctor said

could see that the

last time during

doctor knew it was normal

very still this time

are

a huge

responded to Kathleen when she spoke to her

and

on behalf of Gemma,”

Kathleen and saw that she had a friendly smile.

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the