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 Lily.”

“Lily really likes you, you

up

you

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

sure there are a lot of other people

He frowned.

“Do you like me?”

“I do,” I replied.

another on Miki and tried to coordinate

this trip together

“Later,” he said.

I nodded. “We can wait

hungry.”

you want

“Spaghetti,” he replied with

couldn’t help it, I

spaghetti, and then once

frowned,

could walk with Miki,

he agreed.

of the pet’s toys and lend them to Eloim, got up, and went to the kitchen.

was an instant success with both pets and

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

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

as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would not

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

“Yes, gentlemen,” I said moving aside. “He’s here. We were about to go to the police station in a few minutes. He’s playing with the cat in the living

inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged him

my door so that I could close it.

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

I heard from the living room.

Eloim extricated himself from whom I assumed was his father and came to me. I understood what he wanted and gave him

Miki, who complied immediately.

Then he gave the

told me.

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

got

“Are you ready to go back home?” I asked

said. “Spaghetti.”

looked apologetically to his

I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station. I don’t mind if he eats it first,” I said. “Or not.”

The man looked really

went back to playing with

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

“Maybe I will take you on your offer and

I nodded.

need me?” asked

officer,” the father said, shaking his hand.

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

fine,” I said, and shook his hand

He left and we were left alone.

“I’m Mila,” I told him, extending my hand.

shook hands. “How did you do

“Do what?”