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 to her

going to come and examine you later. Let’s not yell at the doctor like last

not

let out a

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

said, “It’s no use, she does not

her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

gave a gentle, warm smile and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty little dress for your barbie

then lowered her head

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

how children with autism

Madeline finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky finger

also held her hand

will

with a light

were filled with tears

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

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is working,”

not think that she was

not want Kathleen to see him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very

a tissue

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

parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in

her own baby, that moment gave

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

doctor came in at

one, the doctor

the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still remember

She remained silent.

to examine you,” the

could see that

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

knew it was normal for autistic patients, he was still

very still this time

are very

was a huge

Kathleen when

Kathleen and said, “You are

am here on behalf of

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

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the doctor