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

let out

down next to Madeline, she waved

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

Madeline raised 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

then lowered

was excited at first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual

this was how children

finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky

held her hand

will let the doctor examine you and I will

with a light

eyes were filled with

from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded to someone

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen

that

are right. I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can show a little bit

a tissue

“I’m sorry

said in a gentle tone, “As

going to have her own baby, that moment gave her a profound

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

came in at

the doctor examined the

it was Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked,

She remained silent.

you,” the doctor said

that the doctor was

scene last time during the examination which left an

knew it was normal

still this time that even the

you are very good

was a huge

she even responded to Kathleen

Kathleen and said, “You are new

on

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

Kathleen was stunned.

the charity work,”

said, “Okay, I’ll

The doctor nodded.

a kid sitting not far from Madeline started