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

not

let out

down next to Madeline, she waved her hand and

she does not even react

raised her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

a gentle, warm smile and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I

then lowered her

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

how children with autism

Madeline finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky finger

also held her

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

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

That’s wonderful.

treatment here

not think that

with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can show a little bit of

a tissue

“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 tone, “As

to have her own

else matters. I just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick

in

the doctor examined the

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

She remained silent.

to examine you,”

see that

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

the doctor knew it was normal for

Madeline was very still this time that even the doctor was

you are very

was a huge

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

at Kathleen and said, “You are new

on behalf

a friendly smile. “We need someone like you

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,” the doctor further