Fell in Love With You in the Wrong Time novel 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.

“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.

Again, Madeline did not show any response.

Federick let out a sigh.

Kathleen walked over and got down next to Madeline, she waved her hand and said, “Madeline?”

Federick sighed and said, “It's no use, she does not even react much to me.”

Out of expectation, Madeline raised her hand and looked at Kathleen.

Federick was amazed.

Kathleen 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 doll, okay?”

Madeline then lowered her head again.

Federick was excited at first, but looking at Madeline going back to her usual state and being shut off from the outside world, he felt heartbroken.

Kathleen knew this was how children with autism behaved.

“Okay.” Madeline finally gave a response.

Federick was dumbfounded.

Kathleen was overjoyed. “Pinky promise?”

She held her pinky finger forward.

Madeline also held her hand out.

With that, Kathleen made a pinky promise to her and said, “It's a promise, you will let the doctor examine you and I will make your barbie doll a little dress.”

Madeline nodded with a light hum.

Federick's eyes were filled with tears right away.

He said in a quavering voice, “Kathleen, she rarely reacts to things or people from the outside world. Besides me, this is the first time she responded to someone speaking to her.”

That's wonderful.

“This shows that the treatment here is working,” Kathleen explained.

She did not think that she was the special reason.

Federick covered up his face 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 world.”

Kathleen handed a tissue to Federick.