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.

is going to come and examine you later. Let’s not yell at the doctor

not

let out a

and got down next to

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

raised her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the

lowered her head

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

this was how children with

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

her

also held her

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

with

were filled with tears

things or people from the outside world.

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here

not think that she

him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better

a tissue

“I’m sorry to show you this side of me.

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

going to have her own baby,

my Madeline to be healthy,”

doctor came in at

one, the doctor examined

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

She remained silent.

you,”

that the

time

it was normal

still this time

you are

a

to Kathleen when

at Kathleen and said,

here on behalf

friendly smile. “We need someone like you here, would

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,” the