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

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

not

out a

down next to Madeline, she

use, she does not even react

her

Federick was amazed.

said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty little dress for

then lowered her head

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

how children with

Madeline finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

held her pinky finger

also held her

to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your barbie doll a little

with a

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 to someone speaking

That’s wonderful.

the treatment here is working,”

not think that she was

want Kathleen to see him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little by

handed a tissue to

“I’m sorry to

Kathleen. She then said in

own baby, that moment gave

I just want my Madeline to

in at

the doctor

doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the doctor said

that the doctor

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

normal for autistic patients, he was

very still this time that even the

you are

a huge step

she even responded to Kathleen when she spoke

at Kathleen and said, “You are

on

Kathleen and saw that she had a friendly

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,” the doctor further