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 not yell at the doctor

did not show any

out a

next to Madeline, she waved her hand and said,

no use, she does

her hand and

Federick was amazed.

will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty little

then lowered her

excited at first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from the outside world, he felt

how

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

her pinky finger

also held

that, Kathleen made a pinky promise to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your barbie doll

nodded with a light

filled with tears right

reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded to someone speaking

That’s wonderful.

treatment here is working,” Kathleen

think that she was the

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 tissue

wiped off his tears. “I’m sorry

is 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 and

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

just want my Madeline to

doctor came in at

one, the

Madeline’s turn, the doctor

She remained silent.

to examine you,” the doctor said

that the doctor was

caused a scene last time during

was normal for autistic patients, he was

this time that even the doctor was

you are very good

was a

even responded to Kathleen when she spoke

and said,

am here on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

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

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,”