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.

come and examine you later. Let’s not

did not show

out a

next to Madeline, she

“It’s no use, she does not

of expectation, Madeline raised her hand and looked at

Federick was amazed.

warm smile and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will

then lowered

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

this was how children with autism

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her

also held her

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

nodded with a

filled with tears

the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded to someone speaking to

That’s wonderful.

treatment here is working,”

not think that

covered 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

handed a

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

then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays

going to have her own baby, that

Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with

in

one, the doctor

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

She remained silent.

you,”

see that the doctor was

might be that Madeline had caused a scene last time during

was normal for autistic patients, he

this time that

are

was a

Kathleen when she spoke to her

Kathleen and said, “You are new

on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

a friendly smile.

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,” the doctor further