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

out a

and got down next to

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

Madeline raised her hand and

Federick was amazed.

the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will

then lowered

back to her usual state and being shut off from the

how children with

Madeline finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

held her pinky

held her

to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will

with

filled with tears right

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

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is

not think that she

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

a

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

it’s like being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle tone, “As

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

Madeline to be

in at

by one, the doctor examined

doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still

She remained silent.

going to examine you,” the doctor

could see that the doctor was

time during the

the doctor knew it was normal for

very still this time

you are

a huge step

to Kathleen when

doctor glanced at Kathleen and said, “You are

here on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

saw that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity work,”

“Okay, I’ll give it

The doctor nodded.

sitting not