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 yell at the doctor like last time, all

did not show any

out a

and got down next to Madeline, she waved her hand

she does not even

raised her hand and

Federick was amazed.

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

then lowered her head

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

how children with

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

her

held her

a pinky promise to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your barbie doll

nodded with a light

were filled with

things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen

that

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 response to

a

sorry to

isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays safe and healthy,

have her own baby,

my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with

in

the doctor examined

doctor asked, “Madeline, do you

She remained silent.

examine you,” the doctor said

that the doctor

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

it was normal for

time that

are very

a

explained, “Yes, she even responded to Kathleen when she spoke to

at Kathleen and

am here on behalf of

had a friendly smile. “We need someone like

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the doctor further