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.

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

did not show

out a

to Madeline, she waved her hand and said,

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

of expectation, Madeline raised her hand

Federick was amazed.

warm smile and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty little dress for your

lowered her

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

knew this was how children

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky

also held

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

with

filled with tears right

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

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen

did not think that

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

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

in a gentle tone, “As

going to have her own

want my Madeline

in at

the doctor examined

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

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the doctor

that the doctor

last time

normal for autistic patients, he

this time that

you are

a

explained, “Yes, she even responded to Kathleen when

at Kathleen and said,

I am here on behalf

friendly smile.

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the