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 really likes you, you know.”

up at me.

likes you

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

a lot of other people who like you too.”

He frowned.

me?” he

“I do,” I

on Miki and tried to coordinate his double petting.

go on this trip together

“Later,” he

wait a few more minutes.”

“I’m hungry.”

want

he replied

I couldn’t help it,

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

He frowned, thinking.

walk with Miki, he adores walks.”

he agreed.

the pet’s toys and lend them to

both pets and I could

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

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

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

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

go to the police station in

rushed inside the room straight to

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

my dog down, and told him, “Sit.” As I didn’t want him to bother the men, and took

“No,” I heard from the living room.

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

he told Miki, who complied immediately.

he gave the treat.

he told me.

has had too many treats already. This will be

and behind him, his father got back

to go back home?” I asked the

he said. “Spaghetti.”

to his father.

was hungry and I promised him spaghetti before going to

man looked really strangely

as he went back to

I said again, looking between the cop and father. He looked at his son then back at me,

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

nodded.

“Do you still need me?” asked the

“No, thank you officer,” the father said,

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

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

left and we were left

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

shook hands. “How did you do that?”

what?”