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

likes you, you know.”

up

“Miki likes you too.”

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

a lot of other people who like you too.”

He frowned.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

“I do,” I replied.

Lily and another on Miki and tried to coordinate his double

on this trip together if you want.”

“Later,” he

wait

“I’m hungry.”

want to eat?”

replied with determination.

I couldn’t help it, I smiled.

“How about, you play with Lily and Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once you’ve eaten we can go and take

He frowned, thinking.

could walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

“Okay,” he agreed.

the pet’s toys and lend them

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

on the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I had nothing

and the sauce underway when I heard knocks on

suspicions that were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so

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

“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

to Eloim and hugged him

stood aside next to my door so

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

from the

whom I 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 immediately.

the treat.

he told

many treats

father got back on his feed with wide eyes.

to go back home?” I asked the child.

“No,” he said. “Spaghetti.”

apologetically to his father.

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

really strangely

“Spaghetti,” boomed Eloim, as he went back to playing

again, looking between the cop and father. He looked at

on your offer and let him eat

nodded.

need me?” asked the

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

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

shook his

and we were left

“I’m Mila,” I told him,

“Xander.” We shook hands. “How did you do

what?”