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.

give any reaction to

come and examine you later. Let’s not yell at the

Madeline did not show any

let out a

next to Madeline, she waved

use, she does not even react

raised her hand and

Federick was amazed.

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

lowered her

Madeline going back to her

this was how

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

her pinky

also held her hand

a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your barbie doll

nodded with a light

eyes were filled with

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

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen

did not think that

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

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

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

her own baby, that moment gave

Madeline to be

came in at that

one, the doctor examined

the doctor asked, “Madeline, do

She remained silent.

examine you,” the doctor

see that

time during the examination which left an

doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he was

this time that

are

was a

she even responded to Kathleen when she spoke to

Kathleen and said, “You are

here on

a friendly smile. “We need someone like

Kathleen was stunned.

charity