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 not yell at the doctor like last time, all right?” Federick

Madeline did not show any

let out a

next to Madeline, she waved her hand and said,

“It’s no use, she does not even react much

her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

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

lowered her head

Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from

knew this was how children with

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky

also held

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

nodded with a

were filled

she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded to someone speaking to

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment

did not think that

her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can show a

a tissue

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

like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long

to have her own baby,

Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with his puffy

doctor came in at

one, the doctor examined the

the doctor asked, “Madeline,

She remained silent.

examine you,” the doctor

that

caused a scene last time during the examination which

normal for autistic patients, he

time

you are very good

a

she even responded to Kathleen

glanced at Kathleen and said, “You

here on behalf

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

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the doctor further

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