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.

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

Madeline did not

let out a

walked over and got down next to Madeline,

she does not even react much

of expectation, Madeline raised her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

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

lowered her

her usual state and

knew this was how children with

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her pinky

also held

her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your barbie doll

nodded with a

filled

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

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here

think that she was the special

“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

handed a

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

this is what it’s like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid

to have her own

nothing else matters. I just want my Madeline

in

one, the doctor examined

was Madeline’s turn, the doctor

She remained silent.

you,” the

could see that the doctor

scene last time during the examination

knew it was normal

still this time that even the doctor

are very good

a huge step

explained, “Yes, she even responded to Kathleen when

and

am here on

Kathleen and saw that she had a friendly smile.

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the doctor further

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