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.

you later. Let’s

Madeline did not show any

let out

to

sighed and said, “It’s no use, she

raised her hand

Federick was amazed.

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

lowered her head

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

how children

finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky finger

also held

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

with a light

eyes were filled with tears right

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

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen

not think that she

right. I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can show a little bit of

a tissue

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

then said in a gentle tone, “As long as

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

nothing else matters. I just want my Madeline to

in at that

the

it was Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked,

She remained silent.

you,” the doctor said

could see that the

a scene last time during the examination which left an

the doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients,

this time that

are very good

a huge

to Kathleen when she spoke to

doctor glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are

on

saw that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone like you here, would you consider

Kathleen was stunned.

charity