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 Lily.”

likes you, you know.”

looked up at me.

you too.”

that was sitting right next

a lot of other people who

He frowned.

“Do you like me?” he asked.

“I do,” I

Lily and another on Miki and tried to coordinate

could go on this trip

“Later,” he said.

nodded. “We can wait

hungry.”

“What do you want

he replied

couldn’t help it, I

about, you play with Lily and Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once you’ve eaten we can go and take a walk together?”

He frowned, thinking.

could walk with Miki, he adores

he

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

was an instant success with both pets and

some quick homemade sauce as I had nothing ready.

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

suspicions that were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would not

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

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

to Eloim and hugged him talking

next to my door so that I could close

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

“No,” I heard from

was his father and came to me. I understood what he wanted and gave him the treat

told Miki, who complied

he gave the treat.

he told me.

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

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

“Are you ready to go back home?” I asked the

“No,” he said. “Spaghetti.”

to his

I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station.

looked really strangely

went back to

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

I will take you on your offer and let him

I nodded.

you still need me?” asked

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

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

I said, and shook his hand in

and we were left

Mila,” I told him, extending my hand.

hands. “How did you do that?”

“Do what?”