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.

did not give any reaction to

and examine you later. Let’s not yell at the doctor like last time, all right?”

did not show any

out a

down next to Madeline,

use, she does not even

of expectation, Madeline raised her

Federick was amazed.

here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty

then lowered

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

how children with

finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her

also held

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

with a

filled with tears right

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.

shows that the treatment here is

think that she was

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

a tissue

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

isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in

to have her own

just want my Madeline to

doctor came in at

by one, the doctor examined the

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

She remained silent.

to examine you,” the

that the doctor was

a scene last time during the

normal for autistic patients, he was

time that

are

a huge step

responded to Kathleen when

and said, “You are

am here on behalf of Gemma,”

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

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,”