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.

did not show

let out a

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

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

her hand and

Federick was amazed.

gave 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

lowered

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

this was how children

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her

held her hand

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

nodded with a light

eyes were filled

or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment

not think that she

content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can show a little bit of response to

handed a

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

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

have her own baby, that

matters. I just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick

in at that

the doctor examined the

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

She remained silent.

going to examine you,”

see that the doctor was

caused a scene last time during

knew it was normal for autistic patients, he was

was very still this time that even

you are very good

was a huge step

even responded to Kathleen when she spoke

and said,

here on behalf of Gemma,”

a friendly

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity work,” the doctor

said, “Okay, I’ll give it a

The doctor nodded.

a kid sitting not