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.

to come and examine you later. Let’s

Madeline did not show any

let out a

walked over and got down next to Madeline, she

she does not

Madeline 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

looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being

was how children with autism

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed. “Pinky

her pinky finger

also held her hand

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

nodded with a light

were filled with tears right

voice, “Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is

that she was

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 tissue to

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

it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as

was going to have her own baby, that moment gave her

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

came in at

by one, the doctor examined

doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still

She remained silent.

examine you,” the

see that the

a scene last time during

the doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he

very still this time that

are

was a

even responded to Kathleen when she spoke to

and said,

on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

had a friendly smile.

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity