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.”

really likes you, you know.”

looked up at

you too.”

was sitting right next

of other people

frowned.

“Do you like me?”

“I do,” I replied.

hand on Lily and another on Miki and tried to coordinate his double petting.

trip together if

he said.

“We can wait a few more minutes.”

“I’m hungry.”

do you want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” he replied with determination.

I couldn’t help it, I

about, you play with Lily and Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then

He frowned,

“We could walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

“Okay,” he agreed.

the pet’s toys and lend them to

instant success with both pets and I could hear him

scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as

heard knocks on the door. Miki

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

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

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

the room straight to Eloim

my door so that I could close it.

didn’t want him to bother the men, and took a

from the

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

down,” he told Miki, who complied

the treat.

told me.

has had too many treats already.

and behind him, his father got back on his feed with wide

to go back home?” I

“No,” he said.

I looked apologetically to

before going to the

looked really strangely at

“Spaghetti,” boomed Eloim, as he went

cop and father. He looked at his son then

you on your offer and let him eat first,”

nodded.

still need me?”

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

The policeman then looked at me, aiming his question at me too. I was about to be left alone with a stranger in my home after all.

shook his hand in turn. “Thank you.”

and we were left alone.

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

We shook hands. “How did you do that?”

what?”