Divorce Anxiety

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.

Madeline did not give any reaction to her father.

and examine you later. Let’s not yell

not show any

let out

down next to

and said, “It’s no use, she does not

of expectation, Madeline raised her hand

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

lowered her

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

how

finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

held her

also held her

“It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine

with a light

filled with

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

That’s wonderful.

treatment

did not think that she

him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy

a tissue to

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

asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays safe

her own baby, that moment gave her a

just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with

in at that

one, the doctor examined the

the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still

She remained silent.

to examine you,” the doctor said

see that the

might be that Madeline had caused a scene last time during the examination which

doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he was still

still this time that

you are very

a

even responded to Kathleen when she spoke to

Kathleen and said, “You are

I am here on behalf of

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

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity work,” the