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.”

really likes you, you know.”

up at me.

likes you too.”

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

“I’m sure there are a lot of other people who like

He frowned.

me?” he

I

on Lily and another on

go on this trip together if you want.”

“Later,” he said.

“We can wait a

hungry.”

want to

he replied with determination.

couldn’t help it, I smiled.

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

He frowned,

with Miki, he adores walks.”

he

lend them to Eloim, got up, and went to the kitchen.

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

up some quick homemade sauce as I had

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

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

for a lost child at Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was

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

room straight to Eloim and hugged him talking softly.

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

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

“No,” I heard from the living room.

himself from 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.

he told Miki,

Then he gave the treat.

“Another,” he told me.

treats already. This will be enough

his father got

ready to go back home?”

said.

looked apologetically to his father.

was hungry and I promised him spaghetti before going to the police station.

looked really strangely at me.

as he went back to playing with

and father. He looked at his son then back at me, puzzled.

on your offer and let him eat

I nodded.

still need me?” asked the policeman.

the father said, shaking his

question at me too. I was about to be left alone

and shook his hand in

He left and we were

him,

“How did you do that?”

“Do what?”