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.”

you, you

looked up at

“Miki likes you too.”

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

lot of other

He frowned.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

I replied.

put one hand on Lily and another on Miki and tried to coordinate his

trip together

he said.

can wait a

hungry.”

do you want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” he replied with determination.

help it, I smiled.

Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once you’ve eaten

He frowned, thinking.

could walk with Miki, he

he agreed.

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

pets and I could hear him laugh enthusiastically.

on the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce

was nearly cooked, and the sauce underway when I heard knocks on the door. Miki barked, but Eloim didn’t stop playing and laughing.

dog in hand so that he would not rush into the corridor and try to impress the cop.

the policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was a handsome man in

go to the police station in a few

man rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged

door so that I could close

and told him, “Sit.” As I didn’t want him to bother the

from the living room.

me. I understood what he wanted and gave him the treat so that

told Miki,

the treat.

he told me.

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

behind him, his father got back

“Are you ready to go back home?” I

“No,” he said. “Spaghetti.”

apologetically to his father.

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

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

and father.

you on your offer and let him eat first,” he

I nodded.

“Do you still need me?” asked the policeman.

thank you officer,” the father

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

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

and we were left alone.

“I’m Mila,” I told him,

hands. “How did

“Do what?”