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,

He looked up at

you too.”

the dog that was sitting right next to my thigh and

a lot of

He frowned.

me?” he asked.

do,” I

one hand on Lily and another on

could go on this trip together if you want.”

“Later,” he

can wait a few

“I’m hungry.”

want

he replied with determination.

couldn’t help it,

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,

with Miki, he

he

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

success with both pets and

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

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

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

for a lost child at Mont-Royal?” the policeman asked me. He was tall and kind-looking. Behind him was

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

the room straight to Eloim and hugged him talking softly.

The policeman stood aside next to my door so that I

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

from the living

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

“Lie down,” he told Miki, who

gave the treat.

“Another,” he told me.

Miki has had too many treats already. This will

his father got back on his feed with

to go back home?” I asked the child.

he said. “Spaghetti.”

apologetically to his father.

spaghetti before going to the police station. I don’t mind if he eats it first,” I said. “Or not.”

man looked really strangely at me.

Eloim, as he went back to playing

and father. He looked

I will take you on your offer and let him eat

I nodded.

still need me?” asked the policeman.

officer,” the father said, shaking his

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

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

and we

“I’m Mila,” I told him, extending my

shook hands. “How

“Do what?”