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?”

I pet Lily.”

you,

up

likes you too.”

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

of other people who like you

frowned.

“Do you like me?” he

do,” I replied.

on

trip together if you want.”

he said.

I nodded. “We can wait

“I’m hungry.”

you want to eat?”

he replied

couldn’t help it, I smiled.

and Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once you’ve

frowned, thinking.

Miki,

he agreed.

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

pets

put water on the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I had

sauce underway when I heard knocks on the door. Miki

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

Miss. You called for a lost child at Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was

were about to go to the police station in a few minutes. He’s playing

The man rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged him talking

aside next to my door so that

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

I heard from the living

came to me. I understood what he wanted and gave

he told Miki, who complied immediately.

Then he gave the

he told me.

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

behind him, his father got back on his feed with wide eyes.

to go back home?” I asked the

“No,” he said. “Spaghetti.”

to his father.

before going to the police station.

man looked really strangely

Eloim, as he went back to playing with Lily.

and father. He

take you on your offer and let him

I nodded.

you still need me?” asked the

you officer,” the father said, shaking his hand.

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

fine,” I said, and shook his hand in turn. “Thank you.”

and we were left alone.

Mila,” I told him, extending my

“How did you do

“Do what?”