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

you later. Let’s not yell at

Madeline did not show any

out

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

and said, “It’s no use, she does not even react much

expectation, Madeline raised her

Federick was amazed.

will let the doctor examine you.

lowered her head

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

was how children

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her

also held her hand

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

with

filled with tears right

“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 working,”

did not think that she was the

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 be very happy if she can show a

a tissue to

tears. “I’m sorry to show you this side

isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays safe and healthy, nothing else

own baby, that

matters. I just want my Madeline

came in at

the doctor

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

She remained silent.

examine you,” the doctor said

could see that

time during

knew it was normal for

this time that even the doctor

are very

was a

to Kathleen when she spoke to

glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are

I am here on behalf

doctor looked at Kathleen and saw that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone like you here, would you

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity work,”