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.

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

Madeline did not

out a

and got down next to Madeline, she waved

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

Madeline raised her hand and looked at

Federick was amazed.

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

lowered her head

first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and

was how children with autism

finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

her pinky finger

also held

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

with

eyes were filled

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

think that

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

handed a

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

Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays safe

going to have her own

want my Madeline to

came in at

the doctor examined the

doctor

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the

that the doctor was

caused a scene last time during the

knew it was normal for autistic patients, he

very still this time that even the

you are

was a huge

to Kathleen when she spoke to

doctor glanced at Kathleen and said, “You

am here on behalf

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

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,” the

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