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

Madeline did not show

let out

and got down next to Madeline, she waved her hand

said, “It’s no use, she does not

her hand and

Federick was amazed.

we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty

then lowered her

back to her usual state and being shut off from the outside world, he felt

was how

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

her pinky

held

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

with a

eyes were filled with tears right

quavering voice, “Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded to

That’s wonderful.

treatment here is working,” Kathleen

did not think that

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

handed a tissue

took it and wiped off his tears. “I’m sorry to

Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long

was going to have her own baby, that moment gave her a profound

Madeline

came in at that

the doctor examined

the doctor

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the

could see that the

a scene last time during the examination which left an impression

the doctor knew it was normal

Madeline was very still this time that

are

was a huge step

Kathleen when

glanced at Kathleen and

here on behalf of Gemma,”

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

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,” the doctor

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