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?”

pet Lily.”

likes you, you know.”

up at me.

you too.”

dog that was sitting right next to my thigh and

of other people who

He frowned.

“Do you like me?”

do,” I replied.

one hand on Lily and another on Miki

trip

he said.

can wait a few more minutes.”

“I’m hungry.”

do you want to

replied with determination.

I couldn’t help it, I smiled.

and then once you’ve eaten we can go and take a walk

frowned,

with Miki,

“Okay,” he agreed.

pet’s toys and lend them to Eloim, got up, and went to

instant success with both pets

stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I had nothing ready.

on the door.

door, dog in hand so that he would not

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

rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged him talking softly.

to my door so that I could close it.

want him to bother the men, and took a treat from one of my drawers to give it to

heard from the living room.

assumed was his father and came to me. I understood what he wanted and gave him the treat so that he would give it to Miki.

Miki, who complied

Then he gave the treat.

he told me.

treats already. This will be enough for today.”

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

ready to go back home?” I asked the

said. “Spaghetti.”

to his

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

man looked really strangely at

boomed Eloim, as he went back to playing with Lily.

cop and father. He looked at his son then back at me, puzzled.

your offer and let him eat first,” he

nodded.

still need me?”

the father said, shaking his hand.

me too. I was about to be left alone with a stranger in my home after all.

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

and we were left

“I’m Mila,” I told him,

shook hands. “How did you

what?”