All Too Late

Chapter 23

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 like last time, all right?”

did not

let out a

got down next to Madeline, she

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

expectation, Madeline raised her hand and

Federick was amazed.

and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine

then lowered her head

going back to her usual

this was how children with autism

Madeline finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

held her pinky

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 make your barbie

nodded with

filled with tears right

or people from the outside world. Besides

That’s wonderful.

treatment here

not think that she was the special

her getting better little by little. I’ll

a tissue

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

parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a

her own baby, that moment

want my Madeline to be

came in at that

by one, the

the doctor asked, “Madeline, do

She remained silent.

going to examine you,”

that the

caused a scene last time during the examination which left an

was normal

very still this time that

are very

a huge

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

at Kathleen and said, “You are

on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

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

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the doctor further

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