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.

come and examine you later. Let’s not yell

did not

out a

got down next to Madeline, she waved

use, she does

her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

“When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I

lowered her

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

how

Madeline finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

her

also held her

said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your barbie

nodded with a

were filled with tears

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

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is

think that she was the special

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 be very happy if she can show a

a tissue

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

this is what it’s like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle

her own baby, that moment gave her a profound

else matters. I just want my Madeline to be

in at

one, the doctor examined

was Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked,

She remained silent.

to examine you,” the doctor

that

time during the

doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he was

Madeline was very still this time that even the

you are very good

was a huge

responded to Kathleen when she spoke

doctor glanced at Kathleen and said,

on behalf of

Kathleen and saw that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone like you

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity work,” the