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 any

let out

to Madeline, she waved her hand and said,

use, she does not even

her hand and looked

Federick was amazed.

and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will make a pretty little dress

then lowered

back to her usual state and being shut off from

how children with

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed. “Pinky

held her

held her

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

nodded with a

eyes were filled

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

That’s wonderful.

treatment here is working,”

not think that she was

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 to the outside

handed a tissue to

his tears. “I’m sorry to

in a

her own baby, that moment gave

just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick

came in at that

one, the doctor

turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline,

She remained silent.

to examine you,”

see that

that Madeline had caused a scene last time

knew it was normal for autistic patients,

time

are

a huge

she even responded to Kathleen when she spoke to her just

at Kathleen and said, “You are

I am here on behalf of

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

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the

and said, “Okay, I’ll give it a

The doctor nodded.

sitting not far from Madeline started