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

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

did not show

out

to Madeline, she waved her hand

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

raised her hand and looked at

Federick was amazed.

here, we will let the doctor

lowered her

her usual state and being

was how children

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her pinky finger

held

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

with

filled with

she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides me,

That’s wonderful.

treatment here

not think that she was the special

getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can show a

handed a tissue

“I’m sorry to show you this side of me.

in a gentle tone, “As

she was going to have her own

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

in

one, the

turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still

She remained silent.

going to examine you,”

see that the

last time during the examination which

the doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he

very still this time that even the doctor was

you are

a

explained, “Yes, she even responded to Kathleen when

and

am here on

doctor looked at Kathleen and saw that she had a friendly smile. “We need

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the doctor further