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.

Madeline did not

out a

over and got down next to Madeline, she waved her hand and said,

no use, she does

of expectation, Madeline raised her

Federick was amazed.

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 head

looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from the outside world, he felt

knew this was how children with

finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

her pinky finger

held her

promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your

with a

filled with tears

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

That’s wonderful.

shows that the treatment

think that she was

cry. “You are right. I’m content with her getting better little by little.

handed a tissue

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

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

going to have her own

want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said

doctor came in

one, the doctor

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

She remained silent.

to examine you,” the doctor said

see that the doctor was

a scene last time during the examination which left

it was normal for autistic patients, he

time that even the doctor was

are very good

was a

responded to Kathleen when

and said, “You are

on behalf of Gemma,”

doctor looked at Kathleen and saw that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone like you here, would you consider

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity

said, “Okay,

The doctor nodded.

kid sitting not far from Madeline started