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?”

pet Lily.”

likes you, you know.”

He looked up at me.

likes you too.”

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

sure there are a lot of other people who

frowned.

you like me?” he asked.

I replied.

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

on this trip together if

“Later,” he said.

I nodded. “We can wait a few more minutes.”

“I’m hungry.”

want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” he replied with

I couldn’t help it, I smiled.

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

He frowned, thinking.

with Miki, he adores walks.”

“Okay,” he

them to Eloim, got

with both pets and

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

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

asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was

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

the room straight to Eloim and

door so that I could close it.

didn’t want him to bother the

“No,” I heard from the living

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

Miki, who complied

gave the treat.

he told

“No, Eloim. Miki has had too many treats already. This will be enough for

his father got back on

to go back home?” I asked the

said. “Spaghetti.”

to his

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 strangely at

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

cop and father. He looked

your offer and

nodded.

you still need me?” asked the

you officer,” the father said, shaking his

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

said, and shook his hand

and we were left

I told him, extending my

We shook hands. “How did you

“Do what?”