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.

later. Let’s not yell at the doctor

did not show any

let out a

to

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

expectation, Madeline raised her hand and looked at

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

lowered

to her usual state

this was how children with autism

finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky finger

held

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 a

with a light

filled with tears right

in a quavering voice, “Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside

That’s wonderful.

the treatment here is working,”

think that she

his face 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 happy if she can show a little bit of response to the outside

handed a tissue

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

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

going to have her own baby, that

Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with

in

one, the

it was Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline,

She remained silent.

you,” the doctor said

could see that the doctor was

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

the doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he

very still this time that even the doctor

are very good

was a

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

and said,

I am here on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

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

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity