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

out

down next to Madeline, she

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

her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

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

then lowered her head

first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being

this was how

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

her pinky finger

held

Kathleen made a pinky promise to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your

nodded with

were filled

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

That’s wonderful.

the treatment here is

that

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

a tissue to

wiped off his tears. “I’m sorry to show you this side of me. This is

is what it’s like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays safe

to have her own baby, that moment

just want my Madeline to be healthy,”

came in at that

by one, the doctor examined

turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline,

She remained silent.

you,”

that the doctor

had caused a scene last time during the

normal for autistic patients,

very still this time that even the doctor was

are very

was a huge step

to Kathleen when

doctor glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are new

am here on

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

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,” the doctor

said, “Okay, I’ll give

The doctor nodded.

not far