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 come and examine you later. Let’s not yell at the doctor like last time, all right?” Federick

did not show

out

next to Madeline, she

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

her hand

Federick was amazed.

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

then lowered

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

knew this was how children with autism

finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky

also held her

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

with a light

were filled

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

That’s wonderful.

treatment here is working,” Kathleen

not think that she was the special

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 little bit of response to

a tissue to

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

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

own baby, that

my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with his

in at that

by one, the doctor

the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the

that the

be that Madeline had caused a scene last time during the examination

it was normal

still this time that

are very

a

even responded to Kathleen when she spoke to her

glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are new

here on behalf

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

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,”