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

to come and examine you later. Let’s not yell

Madeline did not

out

next to Madeline, she waved

no use, she

raised her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

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

then lowered her

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

was how

Madeline finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky finger

held her hand

said, “It’s a promise, you will

with a light

were filled

said in a quavering voice, “Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded

That’s wonderful.

treatment here

think that she was

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

a tissue to

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

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

going to have her own baby, that moment

want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick

doctor came in at that

by one, the

the doctor

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the doctor said

that

caused a scene last time during the examination which left an impression on

normal

time that even the

are very good

a huge

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

at Kathleen and said, “You are

I am here on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

saw that she had a friendly smile. “We

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,”