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.

Let’s not

Madeline did not show

let out

down next to Madeline, she

she

Madeline raised her

Federick was amazed.

a gentle, warm smile and said, “When the doctor is here, we will let the doctor examine you. After

lowered her head

at Madeline going back to her usual state

knew this was how children

finally

Federick was dumbfounded.

overjoyed. “Pinky

her pinky finger

held her

promise, you will let the doctor examine you and

with a light

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 to

That’s wonderful.

that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen

that

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

handed a

tears. “I’m sorry to show you this

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

to have her own baby, that moment gave

Madeline to be healthy,” Federick

came in

one, the doctor examined the

it was Madeline’s turn, the doctor asked, “Madeline, do you

She remained silent.

you,” the

see that

might be that Madeline had caused a scene last time during the examination

doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he was

was very still this time that even

you are very

was a huge

she even responded to Kathleen when she spoke to

and

on

had a friendly

Kathleen was stunned.

for the charity

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