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

you later. Let’s not yell at the doctor

Madeline did not show any

let out

over and got down next to Madeline, she

she does not

her hand

Federick was amazed.

“When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty little dress for

then lowered her head

going back to her usual state and being shut off from the outside world, he felt

how children

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her

held

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

with a light

eyes were filled

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

That’s wonderful.

treatment here is

think that she

her getting better little by little. I’ll be very

handed a

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

then said in a

have her own baby, that moment gave her a profound

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

doctor came in at that

by one, the doctor examined the

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

She remained silent.

examine you,” the doctor said

could see that the

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

knew it was normal for autistic patients, he

Madeline was very still this time that even the

are very good

was a huge

she even responded to Kathleen when she

at Kathleen and said,

on

that she had a friendly

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity work,”