All Too Late

Chapter 23

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.

the doctor is going to come and examine you later. Let’s not yell at

did not show any

out a

walked over and got down next to Madeline, she waved her

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

of expectation, Madeline raised her

Federick was amazed.

and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After that, I will

lowered her head

at first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from the

this was how children with autism

Madeline finally gave

Federick was dumbfounded.

was overjoyed.

her pinky finger

held

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

nodded with a light

eyes were filled with tears

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

That’s wonderful.

treatment here is

think that she was

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 the outside

a tissue to

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

asked Kathleen. She then said in a gentle

have her own baby, that moment gave

just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick

came in

by one, the

turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still

She remained silent.

examine you,” the doctor

see that the doctor

Madeline had caused a scene last time during the

was normal

was very still this time

are

was a huge

even responded to Kathleen when

and said,

I am here on behalf of Gemma,”

doctor looked at Kathleen and saw that she had a friendly smile. “We

Kathleen was stunned.

charity work,” the doctor

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