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

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

did not show any

let out a

and got down next to Madeline, she

“It’s no use, she

expectation, Madeline raised her hand

Federick was amazed.

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

then lowered

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

was how

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her pinky finger

held her

you will let the doctor

nodded with a

eyes were filled with tears right

people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen

not think that she was

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

a tissue to

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

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

her own baby, that moment gave her a

want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick

doctor came in at that

by one, the

the doctor asked, “Madeline, do

She remained silent.

you,”

could see that the

might be that Madeline had caused a scene last time during the examination which left an impression on the

was normal for autistic patients, he was

still this time that

are

a huge step

Kathleen when she spoke to

glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are

am here on behalf

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

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,” the doctor