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.

any reaction

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

not show

out a

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

use, she does not even react

Madeline raised her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

we will let the doctor examine you. After that,

lowered her head

first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from the outside world,

this was how children

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her pinky

held

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

with a light

filled

things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the

That’s wonderful.

treatment here

did not think that

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

this is what it’s like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as

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

want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with

in

the doctor examined the

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

She remained silent.

examine you,” the doctor said

see that

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

the doctor knew it was normal for

was very still this time that even the doctor

you are

was a huge step

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

Kathleen and said,

am here on behalf of

that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone like you

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,” the doctor