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 at the doctor like

not

let out a

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

said, “It’s no use, she does not even

Madeline raised her

Federick was amazed.

here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will

lowered her head

looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from the outside world, he felt

was how children with

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her pinky

held her

will let the doctor examine you and I will

nodded with

filled with

a quavering voice, “Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world.

That’s wonderful.

treatment here

think that she was the

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

handed a tissue to

his tears. “I’m sorry to

in a gentle tone, “As long

going to have her own baby, that moment gave

I just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick

came in at that

the doctor examined

the doctor asked, “Madeline, do

She remained silent.

examine you,”

that

last time during the examination which

normal for autistic patients,

time that even the doctor was

are

was a huge step

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

and said, “You are new

am here on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

and saw that she had a friendly smile.

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the doctor further