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.

not give any reaction to her

later. Let’s not

did not show any

let out

got down next to Madeline, she waved her hand and said,

use, she does

Madeline raised her hand and looked at

Federick was amazed.

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

lowered

Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut

how children with autism

finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky finger

held

a pinky promise to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you

with

eyes were filled with

people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded

That’s wonderful.

the treatment here is working,” Kathleen

that

not want Kathleen to see him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can show a little bit of response to the outside

a tissue

sorry to show you

parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the

she was going to have her own baby, that

matters. I just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with his puffy

in at that

the doctor

Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still remember

She remained silent.

you,” the doctor

see that

scene last time during the examination which left an impression on the

it was normal for autistic patients, he

still this time that even the doctor was

you are very

was a

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

glanced at Kathleen and said,

on behalf

friendly smile. “We need someone like you here,

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,” the