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

let out

down next to Madeline, she waved

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

Madeline raised her hand

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 make a pretty little dress for your barbie

then lowered her

her usual state and being shut off from the outside

how

finally gave a

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed.

her

also held her

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

nodded with

were filled with tears right

a quavering voice, “Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides

That’s wonderful.

the treatment here is working,”

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

his tears. “I’m sorry to

then said in a gentle tone, “As long as the kid

have her own baby, that moment gave her

my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick said with

doctor came in at

by one, the doctor examined the

Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline,

She remained silent.

to examine you,” the doctor

that the doctor was

had caused a scene last time during the

the doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients,

still this time that even the doctor was

are

was a

to Kathleen

and said, “You are

am here on behalf of Gemma,” Kathleen

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

Kathleen was stunned.

mean for the charity work,” the doctor further

“Okay,

The doctor nodded.

sitting not far from Madeline started