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.

you later. Let’s not yell at

did not show any

out a

next to Madeline, she waved her hand

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

her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty little dress for your barbie doll,

then lowered

back to her usual

was how children with autism

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

held her pinky finger

held her hand

you will let the doctor examine you and I will make

nodded with a light

were filled with tears

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

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen

think that she was

did not want Kathleen to see him cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little

handed a tissue to

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

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

own baby, that moment gave her a profound

just want my Madeline

doctor came in at that

by one, the doctor examined

turn, the doctor asked,

She remained silent.

you,”

that the doctor

might be that Madeline had caused a scene last time during the

was normal

Madeline was very still this time that

are very good

a

Kathleen

and said, “You

here on behalf of Gemma,”

at Kathleen and saw that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone like you here,

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity work,” the doctor

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