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.”

really likes you,

He looked up

you too.”

next to my thigh and looking at the

sure there are a lot of other people who

frowned.

me?” he

I

hand on Lily and another on Miki and

this trip together if you want.”

he said.

can wait a few

hungry.”

do you want to

he replied

it, I

Miki, while I prepare some spaghetti, and then once

frowned,

Miki, he adores

he

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

with both pets

water on the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade

pasta was nearly cooked, and the sauce underway when I heard knocks on the door. Miki barked,

had 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.

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

to go to the police station in a few minutes. He’s playing

rushed inside the room straight to Eloim and hugged him

stood aside next to my door so that I could close it.

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

from the living

I assumed was his father and came to me. I understood what he wanted and

he told Miki, who

gave the treat.

he told

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

Eloim pouted, and behind him, his father got back on his

back

he said. “Spaghetti.”

apologetically to

me he was hungry and I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station. I don’t mind

The man looked really strangely at me.

he went back to

cop and father. He looked at his

will take you on your offer and let him eat first,” he told me.

I nodded.

still need me?” asked the policeman.

father

policeman then looked at me, aiming his question at me too. I was about to be left alone with a stranger in

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

He left and we were left

him, extending my hand.

We shook hands. “How

what?”