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.
examine you later. Let’s not yell at the doctor
did not show any
let out a
to Madeline,
use, she does not even
expectation, Madeline raised her hand
Federick was amazed.
let the
then lowered her
first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from the outside world, he felt
knew this was how children with
finally gave a
Federick was dumbfounded.
overjoyed. “Pinky
her pinky
also held her hand
promise to her and said, “It’s a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make
nodded with a
were filled with
to things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded to someone
That’s wonderful.
shows that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen
think that she was the special
are right. I’m content with her getting better little by little. I’ll be very happy if she can
a tissue to
wiped off his tears. “I’m sorry to show you
being parents, isn’t it?” asked Kathleen. She then said in a
own baby, that
just want my Madeline to be healthy,” Federick
doctor came in
the doctor examined the
doctor asked, “Madeline, do you still
She remained silent.
to examine you,” the doctor said
that the doctor
might be that Madeline had caused a scene last time during the examination which left an impression on
doctor knew it was normal for autistic patients, he was
Madeline was very still this time
you are very
a
to Kathleen
and
here on behalf of Gemma,”
that she had a friendly smile. “We need someone like you here, would
Kathleen was stunned.
charity work,” the