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.

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

did not

let out a

walked over and got down next to Madeline,

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

expectation, Madeline raised her hand and

Federick was amazed.

gave a gentle, warm 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 your barbie

then lowered

back to her usual state and being shut off

knew this was how children

Madeline finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

held her pinky finger

held

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

with a light

eyes were filled

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

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment

that

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 the

a tissue

“I’m sorry to show you this side of

is what it’s like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the

going to have her own baby, that moment

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

doctor came in

the

it was Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked,

She remained silent.

you,” the doctor

see that

that Madeline had caused a scene last time during the examination

knew it was normal for autistic patients, he was still

very still this time that even the doctor

are very good

was a huge step

responded to Kathleen when she spoke to her

glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are

I am here on behalf

she had a friendly smile. “We need someone like

Kathleen was stunned.

charity