All That Is Left Behind

“911, what is your emergency?” asked the operator.

“I found a lost child at Mont-Royal’s Park, he doesn’t talk much so I don’t know his name yet, but he needs to pee so I’m taking him to my place.” I gave her the address and a description of the child, and every other information I had managed to get out of him. I also promised to bring him to a police station after, and gave them my phone number, just in case.

He followed me quietly, holding my hand all the way until we reached my apartment.

“Do you need help, sweetie?” I asked him.

He shook his head and closed the door behind him.

I smiled and let him do his thing.

I put my bag down and grabbed my purse so that I would have my ID and everything I could need at the police station, and googled the closest police station.

“KITTY!” he screamed.

I jumped out of my skin.

I didn’t even realise he was out.

“Kitty,” he told me loudly, pointing at my cat.

“Don’t scream, please. You will scare her,” I said.

He smacked his hands on his mouth. “You can talk softly, though. Her name is Lily and she’s really sweet.”

“Can I pet Lily?” he asked.

I think it’s the longest sentence he ever addressed directly at me.

“Yes, you can,” I said. “But I think you scared her a little when you screamed. Do you want me to find her and bring her here so you can pet her?”

He nodded and I complied.

We sat in my small living-room, and I let him pet Lily for a little while.

“What is your name?” I asked.

He said nothing and continued to caress Lily’s head carefully.

“You know the name of Lily and Miki, but they don’t know your name.”

“Eloim,” he admitted.

“Do you know your last name?”

He said nothing.

Well, at least I had a first name.

“There is someplace we should go to, Eloim.”

He shook his head.

“I think your family is looking for you.”

“No.”

“You don’t think they’re looking for you?”

“No, I pet

you, you know.”

up at me.

likes you

dog that was sitting right next to my thigh and looking at

are a lot of other people

He frowned.

“Do you like me?”

do,” I

one hand on Lily and another on Miki and tried

trip together if you

he said.

“We can wait a few more

“I’m hungry.”

want to eat?”

replied with determination.

I couldn’t help it, I

Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once

He frowned, thinking.

Miki, he adores walks.”

he agreed.

toys and lend them to Eloim, got up, and went to

was an instant success with both pets and I could hear

on the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce

knocks on the door. Miki barked, but Eloim didn’t stop playing and laughing.

suspicions that were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would not rush into the

“Hello, Miss. You called for a lost child at Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was tall and

aside. “He’s here. We were about to go to the police station in a few minutes. He’s playing with the cat in

straight to

stood aside next to my door so

put my dog down, and told him, “Sit.” As I didn’t want him to bother the men,

I heard from

what he wanted and gave him the treat so that he would give it

told Miki, who complied immediately.

he gave the

he told me.

Miki has had too many treats already. This will be enough for

got back on his

ready to go back home?” I asked the child.

he said. “Spaghetti.”

I looked apologetically to his

spaghetti before going to the police station. I don’t mind if he eats it first,” I

The man looked really strangely at

as he went back to playing

I said again, looking between the cop and father. He looked at his son

your offer and let him eat

I nodded.

you still need me?” asked

officer,” the father

me, aiming his question at me too. I was about to be left

be fine,” I said, and shook his hand

we

Mila,” I told him, extending

“Xander.” We shook hands. “How did you do

what?”