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

Madeline did not show

let out a

to Madeline, she waved her hand and

sighed and said, “It’s no use, she

expectation, Madeline raised her hand and

Federick was amazed.

and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that,

then lowered her

her usual state and being shut

how children with

finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

held her pinky finger

held her hand

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

eyes were filled with

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

That’s wonderful.

treatment here is

think that she was the special

see him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can

a

sorry to

She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as

to have her own baby, that moment

want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick

came in

one, the doctor examined

the doctor asked, “Madeline, do

She remained silent.

examine you,”

that

caused a scene last time during the

doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he

very still this time that even the

are

a huge step

responded to Kathleen when she spoke to her

glanced at Kathleen and

am here on

friendly smile. “We need someone like you here,

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity work,”