All Too Late

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.

Let’s not yell at the doctor like last time, all right?” Federick

not show

out

got down next to

use, she

Madeline raised her

Federick was amazed.

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

then lowered

excited at first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from the outside world, he felt

knew this was how children

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

her pinky finger

also held her

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

with a light

eyes were filled with tears

quavering voice, “Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded to someone speaking to

That’s wonderful.

the treatment here is

that she was the special

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

handed a tissue

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

this is what it’s like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as

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

Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with his puffy

doctor came in

by one, the doctor examined the

turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still remember

She remained silent.

you,” the doctor

see that

scene last time during the

doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he

was very still this time that

are very

was a

even responded to Kathleen when

doctor glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are new

on behalf

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

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the