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 yell at the doctor like

did not

let out

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

no use, she does not even react much

of expectation, Madeline raised her hand and

Federick was amazed.

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

lowered her

going back to her usual state and being shut off from

was how children with

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky

held her hand

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

with a

were filled with tears

from the outside

That’s wonderful.

treatment

think that she

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

handed a tissue to

it and wiped off his tears. “I’m sorry to show

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

own baby, that

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

doctor came in

one, the doctor examined the

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

She remained silent.

examine you,” the doctor

could see that

had caused a scene last time during the examination which left an

knew it was normal for autistic patients, he

was very still this time that even

are very

a huge

Kathleen when she spoke to her just

glanced at Kathleen and said,

here on behalf

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

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,” the doctor