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.

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

not show

let out

and got down next to Madeline, she waved her

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

her hand and

Federick was amazed.

warm smile and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty

then lowered her

but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being

this was how children with autism

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her pinky finger

also held her hand

to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and

with a

were filled with

things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded to someone speaking

That’s wonderful.

the treatment here

think that

face and did not want 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 little bit of response to the outside

a

tears. “I’m sorry to show you this side of

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

have her own baby,

just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with

doctor came in at

the

doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still remember

She remained silent.

to examine you,” the doctor said

see that the doctor was

time during

the doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients,

time that even the doctor was

you are

was a

Kathleen when she spoke

and said,

here on behalf of Gemma,”

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

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity