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

you

right next to my thigh and looking

a lot of other people who like

He frowned.

you like me?”

“I do,” I

hand on Lily and another on Miki and tried to coordinate his

could go on this trip together if you want.”

he said.

can wait a few more

hungry.”

do you want to eat?”

he replied with determination.

help it, I smiled.

while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once

He frowned, thinking.

Miki, he

he agreed.

nodded, grabbed some of the pet’s toys and lend them to

instant success with both pets and I could hear him laugh enthusiastically.

scrounge up some quick homemade

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

as I opened the door, dog in hand so

asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was a handsome man

I said moving aside. “He’s here. We were about to go to the police station in

rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged him talking

my door so that I could close it.

As I didn’t want him to bother the men, and took a treat from one of my drawers to give

from

what he wanted and gave

down,” he told Miki, who complied immediately.

he gave the treat.

he told

Eloim. Miki has had too many treats already. This will be

Eloim pouted, and behind him, his father got back on

to go back

he said. “Spaghetti.”

apologetically to his father.

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

The man looked really

went back to playing with

between the cop and father. He looked at his son then

on your offer and

nodded.

me?” asked the policeman.

“No, thank you officer,” the father said, shaking his

The policeman then looked at me, aiming his question at me too. I was about to be left alone with

“I will be fine,” I said, and shook his hand

and we were left

told him, extending my hand.

shook hands. “How did you

“Do what?”