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.

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

not show any

let out a

and got down next to Madeline, she

no use, she does

expectation, Madeline 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

back to her usual state and

this was how children

Madeline finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

held her pinky finger

held

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

with

eyes were filled with tears right

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

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is working,”

did not think that she was

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

handed a tissue

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

it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a

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

I just want my Madeline

came in at

by one, the doctor examined

turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline,

She remained silent.

you,” the

see that

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

normal

was very still this time that even the doctor

are very good

a huge step

“Yes, she even responded to Kathleen

doctor glanced at Kathleen and said,

am here on behalf

and saw that she had a friendly smile. “We need

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,”