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.

Let’s

not

out a

walked over and got down next to

“It’s no use, she does not

raised her hand

Federick was amazed.

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

then lowered her head

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

knew this was how children with

Madeline finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky finger

held her

will let the doctor examine you and

nodded with a light

filled with tears right

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

That’s wonderful.

the treatment

think that she was

his 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

a

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

it’s like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle

going to have her own baby,

I just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick

doctor came in at

by one, the

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

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the doctor said

that the doctor

Madeline had caused a scene last time during the examination which left an impression on

it was normal

Madeline was very still this time

you are very

was a huge

even responded to Kathleen when

Kathleen and said, “You are

I am here on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

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

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,” the