Divorce Anxiety (Kathleen and Samuel)

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.

“Madeline, the doctor is going to come and examine you later. Let’s not yell at the doctor like last time, all right?” Federick asked.

not show any

out a

down next to Madeline,

“It’s no use, she does

raised her hand and

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

then lowered her

excited at first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from

was how children with

finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

her

held her hand

you will let the doctor

nodded with a

eyes were filled with tears

reacts to things or people from the outside world.

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment

not think that she was

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

handed a tissue

tears. “I’m sorry to show you this

said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays safe

have her own baby, that moment

just want my Madeline

doctor came in

one, the doctor examined the

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

She remained silent.

to examine you,” the doctor said

that the

time

normal for autistic patients, he was still

still this time that even the doctor was

are very

a

responded to Kathleen when she

Kathleen and said, “You

on behalf

a friendly

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,” the

smiled and said, “Okay,

The doctor nodded.

sitting not