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

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

Madeline did not show any

out

over and got down next to Madeline, she

no use, she does not even react much to

her hand and

Federick was amazed.

said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make

then lowered

her usual state

how children with autism

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky finger

held

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

with

filled

things or people from the

That’s wonderful.

the treatment

think that she was the

did not want Kathleen to see him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little by

a tissue to

sorry to show you this side of me. This

it’s like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in

going to have her own baby, that moment gave her a profound

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

came in at

by one, the

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

She remained silent.

examine you,” the

that the doctor was

be that Madeline had caused a scene last time during the examination which left an impression

doctor knew it was normal

time that even

are very good

was a

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

at Kathleen and

on behalf

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

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,” the doctor