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.

doctor is going to come and examine you later. Let’s not yell at the

Madeline did not show any

out

over and got down next to Madeline, she waved her hand and

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

raised her hand and

Federick was amazed.

the doctor examine you. After

lowered

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

was how

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

her pinky finger

held her

promise, you will

nodded with

were 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.

the treatment here is working,”

not think that she was the

content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be

a tissue

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

then said in a gentle

was going to have her own baby, that

my Madeline

in

the doctor examined

the doctor

She remained silent.

examine you,” the

see that the

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

normal for autistic patients,

was very still this time that even

you are very good

a huge step

to Kathleen when she spoke to her

and

on

that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,” the

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