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

later. Let’s not

did not show

let out a

to Madeline, she waved her hand and

use, she does not even react

raised her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

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

lowered her

was excited at first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being

knew this was how children

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

her

also held

her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the

nodded with a

filled with tears

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

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is working,”

that she

covered up his face and did not want Kathleen to see him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll

handed a tissue to

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

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

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

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

doctor came in at that

one, the doctor examined the

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

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the doctor said

that the doctor was

caused a scene last time during the examination which left an

doctor knew it was normal for autistic

this time that even the doctor

are very

a huge step

to Kathleen when she spoke to her just

and said,

here on

friendly smile. “We need

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,”