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.

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

did not show

let out a

to Madeline, she waved her hand and

said, “It’s no use, she does not even

her hand

Federick was amazed.

the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will

then lowered her

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

knew this was how

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

her

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

with a

were filled with

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

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment here is working,”

did not think that she was the

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

a tissue

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

in a gentle tone,

own baby, that moment gave her

Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with his

came in

one, the doctor examined the

turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline, do

She remained silent.

going to examine you,”

that the

caused a scene last time during the examination

was normal

still this time that even the doctor

are very

was a huge

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

doctor glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are

am here on behalf of

had a friendly smile.

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,” the doctor further

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