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 her

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

not

let out a

walked over and got down next to Madeline, she

use, she does not even react much

expectation, Madeline raised her hand

Federick was amazed.

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

lowered her head

Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from the

knew this was how

finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

held her pinky

also held her

pinky promise to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine

with a light

eyes were filled with tears

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

That’s wonderful.

treatment

that she was the special

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

handed a tissue

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

She then said in a gentle

was going to have her own baby, that moment gave her

else matters. I just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with his

doctor came in at that

one, the doctor examined

doctor asked, “Madeline, do

She remained silent.

to examine you,”

see that the doctor

scene last time during the examination which left an impression on

knew it was normal for autistic

time that even the

you are very good

was a

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

Kathleen and said, “You are new

am here on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

she had a friendly smile.

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity