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.

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

Madeline did not

out

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

“It’s no use, she does not even react much to

of expectation, Madeline raised her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will

then lowered

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

how children with

finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her pinky finger

also held her

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 doll a little

nodded with a

eyes were filled with tears

“Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment

not think that she

her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can show a little bit of

handed a tissue

his tears. “I’m sorry to show

being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays safe and healthy,

own baby, that moment

else matters. I just want my Madeline to be

came in at that

the doctor

Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline,

She remained silent.

going to examine you,”

see that

last time during the examination which left an

it was normal for autistic

Madeline was very still this time that even the doctor was

are very good

was a huge

explained, “Yes, she even responded to Kathleen when

at Kathleen and said,

I am here on behalf of Gemma,”

she had a friendly smile. “We

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity work,” the