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 like last

not show any

let out a

got down next to Madeline, she waved her

said, “It’s no use, she

Madeline raised her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

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

then lowered her

back to her usual state and being shut off from the

how children

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

her

also held her

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

nodded with a light

eyes were filled with tears

a quavering voice, “Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen

not think that she was the

want Kathleen to see him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very

handed a

sorry

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

own baby, that moment

want my Madeline

doctor came in

the doctor examined

turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still remember

She remained silent.

you,”

see that the

that Madeline had caused a scene last time during the examination which left an

knew it was normal for

this time that even

you are

a

“Yes, she even responded to Kathleen when she spoke to

doctor glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are

on

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

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,” the doctor