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

you, you know.”

He looked up

you too.”

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

are a lot of other

He frowned.

me?”

do,” I

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

go on this trip together if you

“Later,” he

wait a few more minutes.”

hungry.”

do you want to eat?”

replied

I couldn’t help it, I smiled.

I prepare some spaghetti, and then once you’ve eaten we can go

frowned, thinking.

walk with Miki,

he agreed.

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

success with both pets and I could hear him laugh enthusiastically.

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

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

my suspicions that were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would not rush into the corridor and try to impress the cop.

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

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

the room straight to Eloim and hugged him talking softly.

The policeman stood aside next to my door so that I could

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

I heard from

to me. I understood what he

told Miki,

gave the treat.

he told me.

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

got back on his feed with wide

you ready to go back home?” I

said.

to his father.

spaghetti before going to the police station. I don’t

looked really

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

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

“Maybe I will take you on your offer and let

nodded.

“Do you still need me?” asked the

you officer,” the father said,

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

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

and we were left alone.

told him, extending my hand.

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

“Do what?”