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.

Madeline did not show any

out

next to

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

her hand

Federick was amazed.

the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine

lowered her head

Madeline going back to her usual state

knew this was how

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky finger

also held her hand

to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will

with a light

filled with tears

to things or people from the outside

That’s wonderful.

the treatment here

not think that she was

up 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 to

a tissue to

tears. “I’m sorry

parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid stays safe and healthy,

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

want my Madeline to be

doctor came in

one, the doctor examined

turn, the doctor

She remained silent.

examine you,” the doctor said

could see that the doctor

Madeline had caused a scene last time during the examination which left an

normal for autistic patients, he

still this time that even

you are

a huge step

even responded to Kathleen when she spoke to her

glanced at Kathleen and

on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

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

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,” the doctor further

said, “Okay, I’ll give it a

The doctor nodded.

a kid sitting not far from Madeline started