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

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

Madeline did not

let out a

and got down next to Madeline, she waved

“It’s no use, she does not

expectation, Madeline raised her

Federick was amazed.

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

lowered her head

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

this was how children with

Madeline finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed. “Pinky

her

held

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

nodded with

eyes were filled with tears

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

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is working,”

not think that

up his face and did 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 little bit of

a tissue to

his tears. “I’m sorry to show you

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

have her own baby, that moment gave her

nothing else matters. I just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with

came in at that

by one, the doctor examined the

Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still remember

She remained silent.

going to examine you,”

see that the doctor was

caused a scene last time during the examination

doctor knew it was normal for

time

are very good

a huge step

“Yes, she even responded to Kathleen when she

doctor glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are new

here on

Kathleen and saw that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone like you here, would you consider

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,”