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.

going to come and examine you later. Let’s not

not show

let out a

got down next to Madeline, she waved her hand and said,

she does not

of expectation, Madeline raised her hand and looked

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 your barbie doll,

lowered her head

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

how children with autism

finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her pinky

held her

will let the doctor examine you and I will

nodded with a light

eyes were filled with

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

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment

not think that she was

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

handed a tissue to

and wiped off his tears. “I’m sorry to show you this

parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays safe and healthy, nothing

her own baby, that

I just want my Madeline to

doctor came in

the doctor

turn, the doctor asked,

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the doctor said

that the

caused a scene last time during the examination

it was normal for autistic patients, he was still

Madeline was very still this time

you are very good

was a huge step

even responded to Kathleen when she spoke

doctor glanced at Kathleen and

here on behalf of

that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the