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

really likes you, you know.”

up

“Miki likes you too.”

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

“I’m sure there are a lot of

frowned.

“Do you like me?” he

do,” I replied.

hand on Lily and another on Miki

trip together if you

“Later,” he said.

can wait

hungry.”

do you want to eat?”

replied with determination.

couldn’t help it, I smiled.

and then once you’ve eaten we

frowned, thinking.

walk with Miki,

“Okay,” he agreed.

grabbed some of the pet’s toys and lend them to Eloim,

both pets and I

the stove and scrounge up some quick homemade sauce as I had nothing ready.

heard knocks on the door. Miki barked,

that were confirmed as I opened the door, dog in hand so that he would

He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was a handsome

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

the room straight to Eloim and hugged

my door

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

heard from the

I understood what he wanted and gave him the treat so that he would give it to Miki.

down,” he told Miki, who

he gave the

“Another,” he told me.

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

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

to go back home?” I asked the child.

he said. “Spaghetti.”

apologetically to his father.

he was hungry and I promised him spaghetti before going to the

looked really strangely at me.

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

father.

“Maybe I will take you on your offer and let him eat first,”

I nodded.

still need me?” asked the policeman.

thank you officer,” the father said, shaking his hand.

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

be fine,” I said, and shook his hand in turn.

He left and we were

“I’m Mila,” I told him, extending my hand.

“How did you

what?”