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

let out

walked over and got down next to Madeline, she waved her

use, she does

her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

gave a gentle, warm smile and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After

then lowered

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

knew this was how children with

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky

held her hand

you will let the doctor

with

filled with tears

people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is

that

his face and 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 of response

a tissue

sorry to show you this side

it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as

own

want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with his puffy

in at that

one, the

doctor asked,

She remained silent.

examine you,” the

could see that the

Madeline had caused a scene last time during

doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he was still

this time that even

are very

was a huge step

to Kathleen when

at Kathleen and said, “You

here on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

a friendly smile. “We need someone like you here, would you consider

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the

said, “Okay, I’ll give it

The doctor nodded.

sitting not